September 25th 2007 - by Timothy Gassen
Red, White & Blues: a personal history of Indianapolis Racers Hockey 1974-1979
When major league hockey came to Indianapolis in 1974, no one knew the sport’s two greatest players would wear the Racers’ red, white & blue. But the Racers story is so much more than just a launch pad for Wayne Gretzky & Mark Messier — it is a time when the city’s love affair with hockey grew to dizzying heights, then crashed in heartbreaking defeat.
Journalist Timothy Gassen was there and details the only firsthand account of the golden era for pro hockey in Indiana : The Indianapolis Racers. “Red, White & Blues” is a breakthrough book for fans of sports in Indianapolis , the rebel World Hockey Association, and the game’s greatest player, Wayne Gretzky. The entry of “The Great One” into pro hockey is detailed for the first time ever, and the curious debut of Mark Messier in a Racers jersey is also explored.
Award-winning hockey writer Timothy Gassen combines years of his recent reporting, interviews and exhaustive research with his personal recollections of his time in Indianapolis interacting with the Racers throughout the franchise’s turbulent, exciting history. Major league hockey in Indiana finally gets its due in “Red, White & Blues: a personal history of Indianapolis Racers hockey 1974-1979.”
This is Gassen’s third non-fiction book, and the first presented in partnership with Inside Hockey Magazine, where he is a columnist. A former daily newspaper reporter, Gassen has also authored countless newspaper and magazine features over the past 25 years.
Gassen will return to Indianapolis for the November 2-4 book launch events — sponsored by the Indiana Hockey News — including a Racers player and fan reunion, and book signings. Event details to be released soon at whaRACERS.com
FIND IT: Buy the book directly from us for only $17 postage paid in the US , or only $18 postage paid to Canada . Go to www.whaRACERS.com for complete details. (The book will also be available soon through fine bookstores in North America , starting at $19.95 US.) Visit our bonus site at www.myspace.com/whaRACERS for free vintage video and audio clips, and more information.
THE GREAT ONE: For the first time, the real story behind Wayne Gretzky and his mysterious million dollar signing with the Racers as a 17-year-old rookie in 1978, and the details of his fateful journey to the Ed monton Oilers — and the Hall of Fame.
A FIRSTHAND ACCOUNT: The only complete Racers franchise history, told by the players, coaches and fans themselves.
AUTHORATATIVE VIEW: Expert analysis, historical perspective and additional firsthand anecdotes and insight by award-winning author Timothy Gassen.
READ IT, THEN SEE IT: 32 pages of rare and previously unpublished color and B&W photos of all the Racers greats in action with and against the best players of the 1970s pro hockey era.
THE LOST LEAGUE: A detailed, expertly researched look at the WHA — the league that changed the NHL and major league hockey forever.
Book Release date: September 28, 2007
www.whaRACERS.com
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