Jim Hinckley Professional Biography

-- asssociate editor Cars & Parts - author of Backroads of Arizona, Route 66 Backroads, Ghost Towns of the Southwest, The Big Book of Car Culture (bronze medal recepient at the 2006 International Automotive Media Awards), Checker Cab Manufacturing Illustrated History - feature articles written for  Hemmings Classic Car, American Road, Special Interest Autos, Old Cars Weekly, Route 66, Kingman Daily Miner, Classic Auto Restorer, Cars & Parts - photographic credits include cover photo for Route 66 Backroads, illustrations for features written, fine art prints available through the Lile Fine Art Gallery in Amarillo

Reviews - Ghost Towns of the Southwest, (second printing June, 2010)
Escapees, May/June 2010 “This latest book is another fabulous work of Jim Hinckley, who recently gave us those wonderful Route 66 books...The photos by Kerrick James are simply fabulous and give a tangible flavor to the dramatic landscapes.  Even if you never travel to these places, the photos are worth the price of the book.”

If your interests run to mining and ghost towns, you’ll find a valuable guide in this book…The descriptive prose and vivid images convey the appeal of the landscape and the region’s rich history. -- RV Life 

 

 

 

  
Bio & Profile
Current projects - 
Ghost town sidebar feature, True West magazine - Monthly column, The Independent Thinker, that profiles obscure contributors to the development of the American automobile industry for Cars & Parts magazine - 
Daily postings chronicling the comedy and tragedy, the adventure and the times of a starving artist on Route 66 and the road less traveled for Route 66 Chronicles -
Ghost Towns of the Southwest, 2nd printing, realese June 2010 -
Ghost Towns of Route 66, fall 2010 -
Greetings From Route 66, fall 2010 -
Image by Cool Text: Logo and Button Generator - Create Your Own

Route 66 Backroads: Your Guide to Scenic

Side Trips & Adventures from the Mother Road

Author: Jim Hinckley

Photographers: Kerrick James, Rick Bowers & Nora Bowers

 

ISBN-13: 978-0-7603-2817-0

Item #: 144231 AP

Retail: $24.99 US • $27.50 CAN • £15.99 UK

Pub Date: November 2008

 

Binding: Paperback

Dimensions: 8.5 x 11     

Page Count: 208

Illustrations: 165 color & 35 b/w photos, 8 maps

Marketing Manager: Maurrie Salenger

 

 

Confirmed Media

 

Print/Online

Chard & Ilminster News (UK), January 20, 2009 (circ. unknown)

Somerset County Gazette (UK) January 21, 2009

“Its not just a very good travel guide, it also serves as a very attractive and interesting history book if you

want to learn a little about America.  You really can get your kicks on (and off) Route 66.”

 

Lancashire Evening Post (UK) (circ.: 38,265 ) and http://www.lep.co.uk/,  January 12, 2009

“But writer Hinckley, and three photographers, suggest here that the real American experience lies among the highways and byways just off the so-called Mother Road., or Main Street USA.  In a lavishly-illustrated 200 pages, complete with helpful maps, they take the reader – and traveller – into places where momma still makes apple pie the American way and where new and unimagined delights await the determined explorer.”

 

http://rt66riders.org, January 9, 2008 (9,616,266 vpm)

“With the weather and the holidays curtailing motorcycle riding I thought you might want to curl up with Jim Hinckley’s paperback and read about Rt. 66, since it is the home of Jim and the Rt. 66 Riders.

Jim Hinckley’s passion for the open road has translated into regular contributions to a wide variety of periodicals, including Route 66, American Road, and others.”

 

Wanderlust (UK), February 1, 2009 (circ.: 37,500)

“Great Guides: For a more in-depth look at another classic route, Route 66 Backroads is perfect.  Follow the iconic road across the USA, traversing prairies and vast plains en route.”

 

Janesville Gazette (Wisconsin), January 4, 2009 (circ.: 20,800)

Ventura County Sunday Star East County Edition, December 28, 2008 (circ.: 106,876)

Ventura County Sunday Star West County Edition, December 28, 2008 (circ.: 17,000)

Arizona Republic (Phoenix), December 21, 2008 (circ.: 480,585)

Chicago Tribune and www.chicagotribune.com, December 7, 2008 (circ.: 864,845)

Charlotte Observer, December 28, 2008 (circ.: 270,347)

“Famous Route 66 begins at Grant Park in Chicago and ends by the Pacific Ocean in Santa Monica, Calif. The road and this book recall a time before franchise restaurants and chain motels choked America's highways. The journey begins in Illinois, travels through Missouri and Kansas, continues through Oklahoma, crosses Texas, enters New Mexico, traverses Arizona before ending in California. In total, the guide consists of 50 driving tours, which include plenty of side trips off the Mother Road. What truly sets the book apart from similar titles, though, is the more than 200 color photographs by photographers Kerrick James, Rick Bowers and Nora Mays Bowers.”

 

Route 66 Magazine, Winter 2008-09 (circ.: 55,000)

“Route 66 Backroads takes us on some of those journeys and in the process makes us wish for more memory cards for the camera and more days to spend on the road…Jim Hinckley takes us to with his lively narrative that both informs and intrigues.  Through excellent photography of Kerrick James, as well as Rick and Nora Bowers, the places come alive and entice you to visit.  For many of us, Route 66 is the adventure, the moveable feast of cross-country journey, but close to the Road, there are places equally as interesting and exciting.  Route 66 Backroads explores some of these places, and adds even more reasons for making that next Route 66 trip.”

 

http://www.preservationnation.org/magazine/2008/story-of-the-week/route-66-hipsters.html, December 19, 2008 (303,000 vpm)

“The 1990s saw a resurgence of interest in the road, says Jim Hinckley, co-author of "Route 66 Backroads." Because road trips on the interstate were, as Hinckley puts it, as exciting as ‘mashed potatoes on white paper plates,’ travelers started breaking up their trips by venturing down the old abandoned highway to explore its quirky motels, flashy neon signs, and kitchy shops.

 

‘The trickle of travelers in search of America as it was became a torrent,’ Hinckley says. ‘They began to rediscover the wondrous diversity only found on back roads and forgotten highways such as Route 66.’"

 

LA Times (circ.: 739,100) and http://travel.latimes.com, December 21, 2008 (vpm unknown)

“Sure, the interstate will get you there faster, but driving the Mother Road gets you closer to history. If you know someone who’s enchanted with the double six, “Route 66 Backroads,” by Jim Hinckley with photos by Kerrick James, Rick Bowers and Nora Mays Bowers, may be just the ticket (Voyageur Press, $24.99).

What’s different about this tome: It offers 50 side strips on the road from Chicago to L.A., detours that could bring you face to face with the neon/big fins/diners/motels feeling you’re looking for.

If only I hadn’t gotten rid of my ‘57 Chevy….”

 

http://www.byways.org, November 21, 2008 (vpm unknown)

Check out the Illinois chapter of the 208-page Route 66 Backroads book by Jim Hinckley published this month by Voyageur Press. The book’s subtitle, Your Guide to Scenic Side Trips & Adventures From the Mother Road, provides more detail on the publication, which is filled with colorful pictures.

 

MG Enthusiast (UK) January 2008. (11,800)

Reprint of press release with cover image

 

https://swiowanews2.com/ (vpm unknown)

Observer (Dunkirk, NY), December 19, 2008 (circ.: 11,400)

“Is your family planning a little getaway for this holiday?  If so, be sure to wrap up “Route 66 Backroads”, text by Jim Hinckley, photography by Kerrick James, Rick Bowers, and Nora Mays Bowers. Packed with loads of color pictures, this cool book will help your giftee get his (or her) kicks.  Hint: give it to restless kids and make a game of matching pictures to real landmarks.”

 

Lonely Planet Magazine (UK), December 2008 (circ.: unknown) – Premier issue

“Only venturing away from the freeway will you find the undiscovered remnants of Route 66’s legendary history, according to author Jim Hinckley.  This guide to the American Mother road is broken down into manageable detours…The guide’s photography highlights the variety of sights, from iconic Route 66 cafes and memorabilia, abandoned Texan towns to stunning waterfalls and desert landscape.”

 

Route66@yahoogroups.com, November 28, 2008

“I have a copy of Jim Hinckley's new book and want to share with all of you

some facts and my thoughts on the book.  Route 66 BACKROADS has over 200 photos, some new and a few old, all are worth the price of the book alone. Then add in some maps to show folks how easy it is to get to and from these sites from Route 66. Now the instructions, information and data that Jim has added in the text shows the reader just how thoroughly he has done his research. I plan on taking this book with me when traveling the road, just in case I find time to take somedetours.  For you retailers, like Rich, that offer this book for sale, I feel it is going to make a GREAT addition to your inventory. For you fellow roadies this is just the kind of book you need to make you want to get back out on the road. I will be recommending this book to everyone that travels the road or just wants to add a wonderful book to their collection.

 

I have one question for Jim Hinckley, who by the way I know and he is a good

friend. WHEN IS YOUR NEXT BOOK COMING OUT?”

 

http://windycityroadwarrior.com/, November 25, 2008 (vpm unknown)

“I have been enjoying in the last few days a beautiful book named Route 66 Backroads: Your Guide to Scenic Side Trips & Adventures from the Mother Road. It was written by Jim Hinckley and features photography by Kerrick James, Rick Bowers, and Nora Mays Bowers. The title is somewhat misleading, but not in a bad way. Before looking through the book, I had assumed that it would highlight 66 sites and other places of interest nearby. While sites such as these are covered, the scenic side trips take you far away from the Mother Road, showing many of the other interesting areas within the eight Route 66 states… The photography throughout the book is stunning, and the narrative compelling. I give the book my highest praise: it makes me want to jump in the car and take a road trip!”

 

www.route66news.com, November 12, 2008 (vpm unkown)

“Jim Hinckley’s gorgeous new book, “Route 66 Backroads” (Voyageur, 208 pages, $24.99), is a guide to more than 40 side trips that use historic Route 66 as a jumping-off point….It should be noted that Hinckley gets equal billing with photographers Kerrick James, Rick Bowers and Nora Mays Bowers. This is appropriate, because “Route 66 Backroads” is the best-looking road book since Michael Wallis and Michael S. Williamson’s “The Lincoln Highway.” The volume is loaded with stunning images, especially the Arizona chapter with its photographs of the Grand Canyon, a rainbow in the Painted Desert, Wukoki Ruin in the Wupatki National Monument, and Havasu Falls….Because of the book’s format, Hinckley’s text may seem lean at times. But one gets the sense he doesn’t want to reveal too much — those side trips should be more fully discovered by the readers themselves…Also, it’s wise that Hinckley gets out of the way of the book’s photography. An well-framed image will do as much to sell an unfamiliar destination as anything.  Recommended (especially for wanderlust roadies).”

 

Jackson Citizen Patriot, November 2008 (circ.: 35,980)

“Jackson native presents a new twist on Route 66.”

 

http://route66chronicles.blogspot.com, September 29, 2008   
“As the release date for the highly anticipated Route 66 Backroads fast approaches it seemed a good idea to provide a sneak peak, a preview of forthcoming attractions if you will. Courtesy of Voyageur Press here is the introduction to the Route 66 guide with a twist.”

 

Kingman Daily Miner October 17, 2008 (circ.: 8,900)    

“Discover a 66 you thought you knew ~ In 1950, a billboard on the border of Arizona and New Mexico proclaimed the wonders awaiting discovery along Route 66 on the journey west. It also teased the traveler with hints of the many attractions found just north or south of that highway.  The book is available at local bookstores or online.”

 

http://www.postcardsfromtheroad.net/afton.shtml

“I received a copy of Jim Hinckley's book today. I haven't been able to spend much time on it yet, but it certainly looks like a beautifully photographed, informational, and interesting book. I can't wait to sit down and read every page.”

 

Ironworks, November 2008 (circ.: 53,150)

Listed in IW Reference Shelf: “Find hidden gems along the way, Chicago to LA.”

 

Route 66 Backroads in UK publications:

• Mail on Sunday, (UK) 12/12/08 Circulation: 2, 211,029
• Lancashire Evening Post (UK) 12/01/09 Circulation: 31,225
• Auto Express, (UK), April 2009 Circulation: 77,587
• Classic American, (UK), April 2009 Circulation: 25,000
• Real Travel, (UK), February 2009 Circulation: 27,000
• Lincolnshire Echo, (UK) 26/01/09 Circulation: 22,263
• Scunthorpe Advertiser, (UK) 26/01/09 Circulation: 20.568
• Grimsby Telegraph, (UK) 26/01/09 Circulation: 34,590
• Hull Daily Mail, (UK) 26/01/09 Circulation: 59, 689
• Sleaford Target, (UK) 26/01/09 Circulation: 17,268
• Gainsborough Target, (UK) 26/01/09 Circulation: 13,775
• Boston Target, (UK) 26/01/09 Circulation: 27,340
• Beverley Advertiser, (UK) 26/01/09 Circulation: 19,962
• Louth Target, (UK) 26/01/09 Circulation: 13,776
• Greenock Telegraph, P. 31 (UK), 20/12/08 Circulation: 17,667
• Mansfield & Ashfield Observer, (UK) February 2009  Circulation 58,599
• Practical Classics, (UK) April 2009 Circulation: 59,011
• Somerset County Gazette online, (UK) 27/01/09 Circulation: 29, 688
• Wanderlust, p.124, Unattributed (UK), 01/02/2009 Circulation: 37,500
• Triumph World, p.12, Unattributed (UK), 01/02/2009 Circulation: 26500
• MG Enthusiast, p.16, Unattributed (UK), 01/01/2009 Circulation: 11800
• Chard & Ilminster News (Web), Harris Dee, 22/01/2009
• 911 & Porsche World, Steve Bennett, (UK), February 2009 Circulation: 36,500

 

Route 66 Backroads was also mentioned in:

• Kingman Daily Miner, January 4, 2009 (circ.: 9,000)
• http://rt66riders.org, January 9, 2009 (9,616,200 vpm)
• http://nature-outdoor.blogspot.com, January 22, 2009
• Mohave Memories, January 2009 (circ.: unknown)
• www.route66news.com, December 18, 2008 (vpm unknown)
• Pontiac Daily Leader, November 19, 2008 (circ.: 4,170)
• Chamber Reports (Kingman, AZ), October 2008 (circ.: unknown)

 

 

Broadcast

 

• AM Arizona - KAZ-TV, November 3, 2008, Author on air interview
• KAZM Radio, Sedona, AZ