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Crosley — Two Brothers

and a Business Empire That Transformed the Nation

Rusty McClure, David Stern, Michael A. Banks

If you are looking for the definitive account of the Crosley legacy, this biography by Rusty McClure (Powel's grandson), David Stern, and Michael A. Banks is widely considered the gold standard. While many books focus strictly on the quirky micro-cars, this narrative treats the automobile as just one piece of a massive, innovative puzzle. One fascinating highlight of this book is, it doesn't just list technical specs; it explains Powel's philosophy of “radical thrift” and bringing luxury concepts to the working class at a fraction of the cost.

This book includes clearly written, attention-keeping details about Powel's involvement in multiple industries:

• Radio & Broadcasting
• Appliances
• Sports
• And, of course, Automobiles: The vision for a “car for everyman” — a lightweight, fuel-efficient compact car that was decades ahead of its time.

Of all articles and books I have read about Powel Crosley and his empire, this was the one that stood out. I highly recommend this one!

— Ed