Book of the Day: Rodger Ward said, "Indy makes the race driver. You become famous when you come here."

Today is the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500-mile motor race (because of wartime interruptions, it comes five years after the centenary of the race’s start). An American original, the race assumed mythic proportions during the bone-jarring 25 years when contestants had to drive 500 laps on a track built of 3.2 million nine-pound bricks. Elaborate rituals have grown up around the event, including a stirring rendition of the song “Back Home in Indiana” (the actor Jim Nabors did the honors from 1972 to 2014).

In honor of the historic day, Henry Bemis has rolled out a selection from the Automotive Shelf:

Rick Popely, with L. Spencer Riggs, Indianapolis 500 Chronicles (Publications International, 1st ed., 1st printing, 1998). A lavishly illustrated, quarto volume of the race’s first 90 years, presented in chronological order. 416 pp. Hardcover, unclipped dust jacket, good condition- slight damage to upper right cover corner and dust jacket. HBB price: $25 obo.

___________________

Henry Bemis Books is one man’s attempt to bring more diversity and quality to a Charlotte-Mecklenburg market of devoted readers starved for choices. Our website is at www.henrybemisbookseller.blogspot.com.  Henry Bemis Books is also happy to entertain reasonable offers on items in inventory; for pricing on this or others items, kindly private message us. Shipping is always free; local buyers are welcome to drop by and pick up their purchases at our location off Peachtree Road in Northwest Charlotte if they like. #John McPhee #LiteraryBirthdays #Book of the Day #RareBooks #HenryBemisBooks #Charlotte

What’s your favorite social media outlet?

We’re blogging at www.henrybemisbookseller.blogspot.com. We tweet as Henry Bemis Books.  Have you liked us on Facebook yet? Henry Bemis Books there too. And Google+, too!