OK, so another anniversary approaches – 35 years of Indiana Jones.
I really, really can’t believe it, but it’s been 35 years since Raiders of the Lost Ark was released.

So, I need to write something about Indiana Jones – and I’m trying to put together a proper celebratory, fanboy-ish post.

Meanwhile, I thought I’ll do one of those posts that my SEO guru says are big with the blog crowd and a guarantee to get Google happy¹.
A nice little list of five Indiana Jones related books you might want to check out before – or after – you re-watch the classic 1981 movie.

And of course this is my list, your mileage might vary, and I’d be happy to discover more Indy-friendly titles, so please have your say in the comments section.

Five Indiana Jones books

The first title in my list is The Complete Making of Indiana Jones. This is a big, highly documented volume by W.R. Rinzler and it covers the whole history – development, shooting, follow-up – for the first three films, plus a few previews of the notorious fourth.
This is the definitive one-stop resource for indyfans.

Second title, The Indiana Jones Handbook: The Complete Adventurer’s Guide, by Kiernan and D’Agnese, offers advice on how to be Indiana Jonses should the need arise – from disarming booby-traps to avoiding the wrath of God.
You can’t leave home without it.

Third on my list, Why Did It Have To Be Snakes: From Science to the Supernatural, The Many Mysteries of Indiana Jones, which is a fine (if lightweight) essay by Lois H. Gresh and Robert Weinberg on all the real bits and pieces in the Indy movies. It makes for a good companion/counterpart of the previous volume.

But let’s not forget the stories: The Adventures of Indiana Jones collects the novelizations of the first three movies, by James Kahn, Campbell Black and Rob McGregor. All in one handy, neat paperback that makes for a great vacation book.
(back in the ’80s, I must have read the Khan novelization of Raiders fifteen times).

… and finally a book about real archaeology! Archaeology is Rubbish. A Beginner’s Guide, by Tony Robinson and Mick Aston is an excellent introductory book about archaeology, aimed at the general public and the amateur, armchair archaeologist. Good to impress your friends after the vision of the Indy movies.

There – this is my list for a good core set of books for an Indiana Jones’ fan bookshelf.
Please add your own choices below.
Thank you!