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Umbrella Mike: The True Story of the Chicago Gangster Behind the Indy 500
He was known as "Umbrella Mike": a hard man among the beautiful people. He moved among the elite of New York society with little notice, his sharply cocked fedora, his broad Irish face and his ever-present cigar setting him apart from the celebrities and socialites.
Umbrella Mike is Michael Joseph Boyle, the corrupt leader of Chicago's most powerful union and himself a Chicago gangster on friendly terms with Al Capone. Passionate about high-class automobiles, Umbrella Mike was one of the few who could afford the luxury of racing during the hardship of the Depression. In 1937, dogged by adverse publicity and a barrage of disasters, the prestigious Vanderbilt Cup was held on Long Island.
Brock Yates — noted editor, columnist and sports analyst and commentator — remarkably chronicles the dramatic events that unfolded during this most controversial of races — pitting against one another a Nazi poster child, a German-hating Swiss, and the brilliant American underdog who has a trick or two up his sleeve.
Umbrella Mike is Michael Joseph Boyle, the corrupt leader of Chicago's most powerful union and himself a Chicago gangster on friendly terms with Al Capone. Passionate about high-class automobiles, Umbrella Mike was one of the few who could afford the luxury of racing during the hardship of the Depression. In 1937, dogged by adverse publicity and a barrage of disasters, the prestigious Vanderbilt Cup was held on Long Island.
Brock Yates — noted editor, columnist and sports analyst and commentator — remarkably chronicles the dramatic events that unfolded during this most controversial of races — pitting against one another a Nazi poster child, a German-hating Swiss, and the brilliant American underdog who has a trick or two up his sleeve.
250 pages, Hardcover
First published June 21, 2006
4 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
About the author
Brock Yates
26 books15 followersBrock Yates was an American journalist and a best-selling author, most frequently about automotive topics and motor sport.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 25, 2009
A good read-
it is part of the ongoing love i have for this early era of racing- and it spans a long time too apparently. when every year would bring- innovations and new heroes. No safety gear and muscling in on people made profit.
It really is a good read- drifting away from "umbrella Mike" and focusing on the Indy 500 and the Maserati of Wilbur Shaw mostly- who it turns raced for Umbrella Mike Boyle the whole time-
Brock yates add alot of his own opinion into the historical aspects of the story and i don't care for it, and he adds quotes and such...just how did he get them i dunno? but he is a colorful writer, and it is an easy 200 pages.
plus if you love the era, this is just good stuff.
it is part of the ongoing love i have for this early era of racing- and it spans a long time too apparently. when every year would bring- innovations and new heroes. No safety gear and muscling in on people made profit.
It really is a good read- drifting away from "umbrella Mike" and focusing on the Indy 500 and the Maserati of Wilbur Shaw mostly- who it turns raced for Umbrella Mike Boyle the whole time-
Brock yates add alot of his own opinion into the historical aspects of the story and i don't care for it, and he adds quotes and such...just how did he get them i dunno? but he is a colorful writer, and it is an easy 200 pages.
plus if you love the era, this is just good stuff.
April 16, 2018
Good book about the beginning of the Indianapolis 500.
February 16, 2017
Umbrella Mike The True Story of the Chicago Gangster Behind the Indy 500 by Brock Yates, is an amazing book about Michael J. Boyle a.k.a "Umbrella Mike". The book is about all of his successes and his failures in the Indianapolis 500. Mike was a rich man who was also very good friends with one of the biggest gangsters is history, Al Capone, making him a very famous and scary figure both on and off the racetrack.
I think Brock Yates' purpose in writing this book was to give us information about one of the most historic City gangsters of all time. Yates also told us all about his ups and downs while competing in the Indianapolis 500. His goal in this book was to try to transport the reader to 1930's Chicago by using vivid descriptions and real accounts of life in one of the most crime-ridden cities.
I believe that the theme of this book is to never give up. I think this because of this quote,"When the going gets tough, let the tough get going," really applies to this central theme. At some points in the story, Mike was falling behind in the race farther than he would have liked to and really had to dig deep in order to push towards the front of the pack. Also the U.S. was going through some tough times as well and really strived to get out of the biggest economic slump that this nation has ever experienced, aka The Great Depresion.
I think Brock Yates' purpose in writing this book was to give us information about one of the most historic City gangsters of all time. Yates also told us all about his ups and downs while competing in the Indianapolis 500. His goal in this book was to try to transport the reader to 1930's Chicago by using vivid descriptions and real accounts of life in one of the most crime-ridden cities.
I believe that the theme of this book is to never give up. I think this because of this quote,"When the going gets tough, let the tough get going," really applies to this central theme. At some points in the story, Mike was falling behind in the race farther than he would have liked to and really had to dig deep in order to push towards the front of the pack. Also the U.S. was going through some tough times as well and really strived to get out of the biggest economic slump that this nation has ever experienced, aka The Great Depresion.
February 2, 2021
This is an enjoyable book about the history of the Indianapolis 500, specifically about the period between WWI and WWII, and the speedway during the depression. The only issue I have is that while it is title Umbrella Mike, this story is really about Umbrella Mike's racing team, and often only tangentially related to Mike himself, who plays something of a background role. The research still seems to be top notch, but I'll admit I was thinking of this as a biography of Umbrella Mike, and it isn't quite that. It does go into some detail about other racers of the period, and their stories, while they tie into the races of the 1930s, don't seem to have much to do with Umbrella Mike or even the racing team, other than that they competed in the same races.
This book excels though as a history of racing, with lots of info about the cars and the drivers.
This book excels though as a history of racing, with lots of info about the cars and the drivers.
March 3, 2014
Set in the Great Depression era, Umbrella Mike: The True Story of the Chicago Gangster Behind the Indy 500 is a jaw-dropping account of the notorious Michael J. Boyle a.k.a "Umbrella Mike" and his failures and successes in the Indianapolis 500. Mike was a wealthy man who was good friends with Al Capone, making him a very distinguished and intimidated figure both on and off the racetrack.
Brock Yates' purpose in writing this book was to share information on one of the most historic Chicago gangsters of all time and his ups and downs while competing in the Indianapolis 500. Yates wrote this book as a very effective description of challenges and victories during the Great Depression. He attempted to transport the reader back in time to 1930's Chicago by using vivid descriptions and real accounts of life in one of the most crime-ridden cities during the Great Depression. While reading this story, the reader feels as if he or she is sitting right beside Mike as he whizzes round and round the 2.5 mile oval circuit in the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing."
Although it is not clearly stated, I believe that the theme of this book is to never give up. I believe the quote, "When the going gets tough, let the tough get going," really applies to this central theme. At some points in the story, Mike fell behind in the race farther than he would like to and really had to dig deep in order to push towards the front of the pack. Neither Mike nor the United States gave up. The U.S. was going through tough times as well and really strived to get out of the biggest economic slump that this nation has ever experienced.
Overall, I gave this book a three-star rating. The main plot was decent and the material was all there; however, at some points in the story the excitement was lacking. I believe that someone who didn't appreciate racing and automobiles as much as I do would have definitely given this book a two star rating or lower. Overall, I enjoyed the story. It was exciting when it needed to be exciting and Brock Yates did an outstanding job depicting "Umbrella Mike"; however, if you are looking for a suspenseful, on-the-edge-of-your-seat story, then this book is not for you.
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June 9, 2013
Incorrectly Named and a Rather Disjointed Effort
Published by Thunder's Mouth Press in 2006
Full disclosure: I am a huge fan of the Indy 500. I have been to every 500 since 1986 and I live within earshot of the track. I have whiled away many a day at the track watching qualifications, practice or just going through the gift shop during the winter when the track is silent.
I was dimly aware that a Chicago gangster had fielded an entry in the Indy 500 in the 1930's so I hoped that this book would tell that story. And it does, but the title of the book makes it sound like Umbrella Mike (Mike Boyle, the crooked boss of Chicago's International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) somehow saved the race or even financed the construction of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
He did not.
What he did was use his race teams to launder some of his illegally obtained cash and financed several race teams at the Indy 500, eventually winning it three times, including the back-to-back wins in 1939 and 1940 by racing legend Wilbur Shaw.
The title also gives the impression that the book is primarily about Umbrella Mike while I would argue that the book is really about...
Read more at: http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/2013/...
Published by Thunder's Mouth Press in 2006
Full disclosure: I am a huge fan of the Indy 500. I have been to every 500 since 1986 and I live within earshot of the track. I have whiled away many a day at the track watching qualifications, practice or just going through the gift shop during the winter when the track is silent.
I was dimly aware that a Chicago gangster had fielded an entry in the Indy 500 in the 1930's so I hoped that this book would tell that story. And it does, but the title of the book makes it sound like Umbrella Mike (Mike Boyle, the crooked boss of Chicago's International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) somehow saved the race or even financed the construction of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
He did not.
What he did was use his race teams to launder some of his illegally obtained cash and financed several race teams at the Indy 500, eventually winning it three times, including the back-to-back wins in 1939 and 1940 by racing legend Wilbur Shaw.
The title also gives the impression that the book is primarily about Umbrella Mike while I would argue that the book is really about...
Read more at: http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/2013/...
October 4, 2012
"Umbrella Mike is a book about the feared Mike Boyle and the Indy 500. Mike Boyle was a Chicago gangster who was very wealthy and friends with Al Capone. Mike Boyle was a big auto racing fan, and since he had a lot of money, he could afford to have his own sponsors. The point of the book is about the Indy 500 scandal and what Mike Boyle had to do with it. I think the author succeeded in telling the point of the book. After reading the book, I now know who Mike Boyle was, and what he had to do with the Indy 500 scandal. I liked the book, but it did get a little boring at times. I felt the author threw some stuff in there that wasn't even needed."
the setting of thebook started in the windy city of Chicago and mke ended up in NewYork were mike moved to.
The theme of the book was that you should never cheat even when you know you wont get caught. because in this instant Mike Boyle was caught and payed dearly for it he lost everything.
The style of my book was very interesting bucause there was so many different things going on in the book.
The authors purpose was clearly identified as trying to tell how easily somebody with alot of money can get in to trouble.
the setting of thebook started in the windy city of Chicago and mke ended up in NewYork were mike moved to.
The theme of the book was that you should never cheat even when you know you wont get caught. because in this instant Mike Boyle was caught and payed dearly for it he lost everything.
The style of my book was very interesting bucause there was so many different things going on in the book.
The authors purpose was clearly identified as trying to tell how easily somebody with alot of money can get in to trouble.
October 16, 2011
"Umbrella Mike is a book about the feared Mike Boyle and the Indy 500. Mike Boyle was a Chicago gangster who was very wealthy and friends with Al Capone. Mike Boyle was a big auto racing fan, and since he had a lot of money, he could afford to have his own sponsors. The point of the book is about the Indy 500 scandal and what Mike Boyle had to do with it. I think the author succeeded in telling the point of the book. After reading the book, I now know who Mike Boyle was, and what he had to do with the Indy 500 scandal. I liked the book, but it did get a little boring at times. I felt the author threw some stuff in there that wasn't even needed."
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews