Umbrella Mike: The True Story of the Chicago Gangster Behind the Indy 500

Excellent expose by autoracing expert Brock Yates of Chicago gangster Mike Boyle and his dominance in Indy-car racing in the late 20's through the early post WWII period. Yates brings out the links between Boyle and nearly all of the big name drivers and engineers of the day. With Favorite driver Wilbur Shaw, Boyle's Maserati won Indy twice, and became the most successful Indy car in history. But one wonders how much influence Boyle had, through Shaw, in convincing Tony Hulman to purchase the track after WWII? Although not a subject Yates discusses, the implications arre certainly there. The book is marred only by the lack of an index (highly needed) and Yates redundant phraseology about WWII. A welcome addition would be a chart showing the links between Boyle and arch rival Joel Thorne. A must for Indy history fans!!

A fascinating look at mainly preWWII (but some post-war) Indy 500 and open-wheeled racing history. This is a great read if you are at all interested in American open-wheel racing, which was one of the most dangerous forms of motor racing in the world but a unique motorsport art form.

Great Book, couldn't put it down until I finished it! If you like the history of how a great race car was born and how three special guy's, Wilbur Shaw, Ted Horn and Cotton Henning made the Masarati 8CTF a legend, get this book! This car was a winner in 1939-40, should have won in 1941, and finished no worse than 4th from 1946 to 1948. It was still competing in the 500 until 1951.

Nice surprise for my racing fan husband. This wasn't on his Christmas list. Just thought he would like a few extra books to read after the ones he had on his wish list. Great service! Fast shipping for the holiday. No problems whatsoever. Husband loves the book!!

Very interesting story about 1930's and 1940's racing at the Indianapolis 500 and the power teams at the time including Mike Boyle's. Probably most of this subject matter has been little documented until now. Brock also does a nice job interspersing these stories into what was going on at the time, war, etc. Well worth the investment.