"Chili" Bill Brooks was John Wayne's pilot for about 10 years, when he flew the actor down to his two ranches in Arizona. Brooks befriended Wayne, famed for his roles in "True Grit," "The Searchers" and hundreds of other Westerns, until his death in 1979. The Wayne memorabilia that Brooks collected over the years now … Continue reading John Wayne memorabilia displayed at Williams museum
Category: Books
Book review: “Fading Nostalgia: Polaroid Adventures on Route 66”
In an era where digital has become the dominant photography format, old-school cameras such as Holga, Diana and even Polaroid have made unexpected comebacks. These so-called lomographers like them because of their unpredictable images and often-vivid color. So when photographer Christopher Robleski (see his work here) told me about his new book "Fading Nostalgia: Polaroid … Continue reading Book review: “Fading Nostalgia: Polaroid Adventures on Route 66”
Book review: “Story of the Free 72-oz. Steak”
The first thing you notice is the cover. Beneath huge, Old West letters is a painting of a 1960s Chevrolet Impala pointed into a red-and-orange sunset, pulling into the parking lot of a restaurant with a neon sign featuring a giant cowboy and a fiberglass steer on the roof. Below that is a photo of … Continue reading Book review: “Story of the Free 72-oz. Steak”
Photographer will publish book on Route 66
Fine-art photographer Tom Federbar, who's been capturing images for more than 50 years, including working with Ansel Adams, soon will publish a book on his Route 66 photographs, reports the Downey (Calif.) Patriot. After 43 years in the advertising photography business, Ferderbar sold Ferderbar Studios, Inc. in 1997, and returned to his first love – … Continue reading Photographer will publish book on Route 66
Whatever happened to Susan Croce Kelly?
Remember Susan Croce Kelly? She's the one who co-wrote, with photographer Quinta Scott, the excellent "Route 66: The Highway and Its People" in 1988, one of the first books about the Mother Road after the highway was decommissioned. It predates Michael Wallis' bestselling "Route 66: The Mother Road." Well, Susan Croce Kelly got married and … Continue reading Whatever happened to Susan Croce Kelly?
Route 66 artist launches new site
A few days ago, noted artist and Route 66 researcher Jerry McClanahan launched his new Web site at McJerry66.com. In it, you'll find examples of his Route 66 artwork for sale and updates to his Route 66 "EZ Guide for Travelers" book. McClanahan is renovating an old electric-supply store for his business after moving from … Continue reading Route 66 artist launches new site
Fodor’s “Essential USA” a disappointment
On Wednesday, I received a copy of Fodor's "Essential USA" (688 pages, $21.95), which is subtitled "Spectacular Cities, Natural Wonders and Great American Road Trips." I requested the book from Fodor's because of this description: The book includes classic road trip itineraries like Route 66 and the Pacific Coast Highway, where to stay and eat … Continue reading Fodor’s “Essential USA” a disappointment
Book review: “Route 66 in St. Louis”
In addition to guidebooks devoted to all 2,400 miles of Route 66, a bunch of volumes have been published that are more narrowly focused by geography. Individual books have been devoted to the Mother Road in Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona and California, in addition to the cities of Los Angeles and Chicago. However, … Continue reading Book review: “Route 66 in St. Louis”
Spreading the Route 66 gospel
TheDoings-LaGrange.com published a report on Route 66 enthusiast David G. Clark's presentation at the LaGrange, Ill., Library about the history of the Mother Road in Chicago. Clark does these presentations from time to time. If you've never seen them, the article at least gives a taste of what they're like. Clark also has a Web … Continue reading Spreading the Route 66 gospel
Photography book published about Arizona Route 66
Herb Schroeder has compiled photographs from Arizona's Route 66 for a book, "Windswept Images Presents: The Heart of Route 66," reports the Kingman Daily Miner. The images come from a variety of eras, in black-and-white and color. The soft-cover volume is 24 pages, and retails for $14.99. The book will be sold at the Route … Continue reading Photography book published about Arizona Route 66