Indy 500 Bibliography

[lotuspoweredbyford]

I would be interested in seeing any list of books that is compiled.

If there is any way I could contribute to the list or discussion, although it’s not my strength, let me know.

[JThur1]

Good to know. Please remember that the vast number of people on this forum are enthusiasts, not professional researchers/reporters who have the Chicago Manual of Style and other guides on their desk (or desktop). They are also potential customers!

I hope you've had luck in setting people straight on early AAA records.

Don holds "writers" and "reporters" in even greater contempt than John Q. Public, so no Chicago Manual of Style for him, but otherwise, this is a great point and one I've tried to make, repeatedly.

First, Don, I am greatly sorry to hear of your health situation. As one who has recently dealt with something in that neighborhood, I can truly relate and empathize.

While I share your consternation about what should be included in - or actually constitutes - a bibliography, simple encouragement and assistance would go a lot further in getting people interested, and involved in, researching and participating in motorsports history. Yes, the great unwashed, the hoi polloi, like my own background. Nurturing these folks who have the basic interest can go a long ways. Instead, they are berated, needlessly. These folks you rail against are not the enemies of what you are doing or your approach. Instead, they are pushed away, and the well is poisoned. Which accomplishes what, exactly?

I'm reminded of jazz musician Herbie Mann, who was attacked by jazz elitists and snobs for his more mainstream "pop" efforts, despite also doing "serious" jazz concurrently. He was labelled a sellout, and worse. Mann's reply: "I thought we were supposed to make people like the music (jazz) and bring them to it instead of pushing them away from it."

[rjohnson]

lotuspoweredbyford (and anyone else who is interested), I've attached my list. Any additions or corrections would be most appreciated. Also, if you believe a book belongs in a different category than the one in which it is placed, please let me know. Thanks in advance for any assistance.

I do hope at some point in the future to add date of publication and publisher.

Don, I hope you do not leave the forum. You indicated that "there are certainly a few listings out there." And so what I do hope is that you help by directing me to where I might find these lists. Thanks.

Indianapolis 500 Book List.docx

[Indyote]

lotuspoweredbyford (and anyone else who is interested), I've attached my list. Any additions or corrections would be most appreciated. Also, if you believe a book belongs in a different category than the one in which it is placed, please let me know. Thanks in advance for any assistance.

I do hope at some point in the future to add date of publication and publisher.

Don, I hope you do not leave the forum. You indicated that "there are certainly a few listings out there." And so what I do hope is that you help by directing me to where I might find these lists. Thanks.

Indianapolis 500 Book List.docx

Thank you very much for this effort and sharing it with us.

[Don Roberts]

lotuspoweredbyford (and anyone else who is interested), I've attached my list. Any additions or corrections would be most appreciated. Also, if you believe a book belongs in a different category than the one in which it is placed, please let me know. Thanks in advance for any assistance.

I do hope at some point in the future to add date of publication and publisher.

Don, I hope you do not leave the forum. You indicated that "there are certainly a few listings out there." And so what I do hope is that you help by directing me to where I might find these lists. Thanks.

Indianapolis 500 Book List.docx

Thanks

[Doctorindy]

One very nit-picky note, for posterity.
The 1974 & 1975 Donald Davidson books were not called "yearbooks". The title was Donald Davidson's 500 Mile Race Annual. The slightly amended title IIRC was to take into account that it covered Indy, Ontario and Pocono, and I think his intent was going to be a broader coverage of the whole season. He ceased his series of books after only two editions...he didn't have time to do a 1976 book due to his promotional trip around the world that summer...and probably also because the Hungness book was taking off and filling that need.

[1987Carzan]

lotuspoweredbyford (and anyone else who is interested), I've attached my list. Any additions or corrections would be most appreciated. Also, if you believe a book belongs in a different category than the one in which it is placed, please let me know. Thanks in advance for any assistance.

I do hope at some point in the future to add date of publication and publisher.

Don, I hope you do not leave the forum. You indicated that "there are certainly a few listings out there." And so what I do hope is that you help by directing me to where I might find these lists. Thanks.

Indianapolis 500 Book List.docx

Your efforts are appreciated.

[rjohnson]

I appreciate the kind words. I'm now adding date of publication and publisher, and in the process I've added a dozen or so additional titles. When I have completed this task, I'll repost the list for anyone who is interested.

Doctorindy - It may be nitpicky, but please continue picking nits. I really appreciate it and I will make the correction.

[Doctorindy]

I'm pretty sure the Tom Carnegie book was titled "Indy 500: More Than a Race"

The Jack C. Fox book "Illustrated History..." (published by Hungness) was in its fourth edition by 1994
Third (Hungness) was through 1984
Second (Hungess) was through 1975
First (Fox) was 1967, and went under the title "The Indianapolis 500, A Pictorial History of the Greatest Spectacle in Automobile Racing"
Hungess said he updated it sometime in the 2000s, but what would have been a 5th edition was never published.


"Michael Andretti at Indianapolis" was a 1991 kids book, with a lot of pretty decent photos

Would have to check, not sure if the 1986 book "Cale" mentions any of his Indy 500 appearances.

"500 Souvenir Book" was sold at the museum in the 1980s.


Also, that "Blood and Smoke" book really shouldn't be under "History". It's more like Fan Fiction.

[JThur1]

Also, that "Blood and Smoke" book really shouldn't be under "History". It's more like Fan Fiction.

Amen to this. The author has moved on to "revising" opinion on Ty Cobb and now has a book on Anthony Bourdain. He seems to court controversy.

[rjohnson]

Again, I really appreciate the feedback. I have not read "Blood and Smoke," but I am aware of the negative opinions of the book. Am I remembering correctly that Donald Davidson had nothing good to say about it? I included it simply because I assumed there is some shred of factual information contained in it. I'm not sure whether to omit it, leave it as is, move it to the fiction category or what. I have tried to avoid omitting books because they are poorly written or have errors, but I struggle with this one. Opinions are welcome.

[Belanger99]

Amen to this. The author has moved on to "revising" opinion on Ty Cobb and now has a book on Anthony Bourdain. He seems to court controversy.

I saw a program on TV the other night about Bourdain and he was part of it. I cursed the TV and changed the channel, explaining who he was to my wife and why the disdain.

I consider the fact that the SOB worked for SI. That says enough for me.

[Belanger99]

Again, I really appreciate the feedback. I have not read "Blood and Smoke," but I am aware of the negative opinions of the book. Am I remembering correctly that Donald Davidson had nothing good to say about it? I included it simply because I assumed there is some shred of factual information contained in it. I'm not sure whether to omit it, leave it as is, move it to the fiction category or what. I have tried to avoid omitting books because they are poorly written or have errors, but I struggle with this one. Opinions are welcome.

Factually, it is VERY LOOSE. The author seemed to ignore credible sources, all the while embracing sensationalistic ones. I've heard Donald tried to give him correct info several times and was ignored.

[1987Carzan]

Amen to this. The author has moved on to "revising" opinion on Ty Cobb and now has a book on Anthony Bourdain. He seems to court controversy.

I know much less about early 500 history than baseball, but I'm planning on re-reading Blood and Smoke thanks to Leerhsen's Ty Cobb-related "efforts". The Al Stump book was bad enough. It's a shame because I found Blood and Smoke entertaining, so I can see how it could be doing a disservice to the actual history of the 500 for those like myself who aren't as well informed.

Poor, misunderstood Ty Cobb...

[Doctorindy]

I didn't see on the list, but may have just missed it...Hungness published a 'fill the gap' hardcover combo yearbook to cover years 1969-1972. It originally came out in 1980.

IIRC, it may have been Donald who said that Clymer had been working on his 1969 book, and it was nearly finished. But Clymer died before it went to print. It never went to print, and just sat for many years unpublished. I think Hungness took that unfinished work, and incorporated it into this book, while adding info for 70, 71, and 72. Granted there was limited space, so each year didn't get quite the expansive coverage that the other years do, but for posterity, it filled the gap.