Detroit Then and Now (Then & Now) [Hardcover]

Cheri Y. Gay (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 7, 2002

Celebrating America's favorite cityscapes, this series combines historic interest and contemporary beauty. Then and Now features fascinating archival photographs contrasted with specially commissioned, full-color images of the same scene today. A visual lesson in the historic changes of our greatest urban landscapes.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Thunder Bay Press (May 7, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1571456899
• ISBN-13: 978-1571456892
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 9.7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #187,450 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #57 in Books > Arts & Photography > Photography > Architectural

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What Once Was to What Now Is, November 28, 2002

By 

Ken Roberts "social historian" (Michigan United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Detroit Then and Now (Then & Now) (Hardcover)

Now here is a book that is worth every penny. I understand and fully agree with the previous reviewer that Detroit seems to love to tear down the beautiful architecture of its past, only to be replaced with the drab, bland structures of today. The past, present, and future can compliment each other tremendously, as in so many other cities (especially in Europe), but Detroit seems to want to forget about its past. Many people do not realize that Detroit was once a vibrant, alive city from the later part of the 19th century through the mid-1950's. A city where people chose to live, not move from. This beautiful book will show in pictures why Detroit was the place to be. Unfortunately, it also shows why it's not the place to be anymore. What the photographers have successfully done was to print original photographs of many different parts of Detroit from around the 1880's through the 1950's, and then print how the exact spot looks today. The results are startling. To see what once was to what is, is very sad.
There is hope, however, with the restoration of the Fox Theater, the Gem Theater, and now, quite possibly, the Book-Cadillac Hotel. Will Tiger Stadium also be on the restoration list? One can only hope. What was done to the Michigan Theater was a sin, and the tearing down of the Monroe Block was a crime!
Detroit, please do not tear down what's left of your past.

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Sad reminders, May 28, 2002

By 

"motownlady" (Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Detroit Then and Now (Then & Now) (Hardcover)

Sadly, this book wasn't really needed. So many of our historic treasures have been replaced with soulless glass boxes that to look through this book is to be reminded of all that we've lost. I only give it stars for the historic pictures. Call me old-fashioned or help me take off my rose-colored glasses, but Detroit has not worked to saved its history like Chicago and we suffer for it today.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars What is Detroit?, April 14, 2005

By 

Matthew Ames "PHINC" (Disney World) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Detroit Then and Now (Then & Now) (Hardcover)

This is a quaint little book with pictures of old detroit and photos of new detroit taken from same vantage points as the old photos. I can only love the once great city from afar. As for experiencing Detroit in book form I still prefer:
Stalking Detroit