Customer Reviews

Detroit Then and Now (Then & Now)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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

i think what most people seem to not understand is how truly amazing the city of detroit is. from it's earliest years to today, the city has provided one of the most interesting histories in the states. this book allows the reader to peer through a window into the past and see, perhaps not only what was once great and thriving, but to compare it to what has been preserved or, as the case may be, what has replaced it. detroit was once and still is one of the most beautiful cities in the united states, not only because it holds some of the most beautiful buildings, people and cultures, but also because it isn't chicago.

I got this book from my library through an ILL, and this book is GREAT! I am 17 and planning on relocating to Detroit, and wanted to see what the city looks like. This book is the only one with actual photos of Detroit in and around the city. Wonderful pictures from earlier times until now. The book was so good, I went out and bought it. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to see detroit or for anyone who wants to see one of the best cities in the world.

Excellent contrast between what Detroit used to look like and what it looks like today. The Renaissance Center development is especially stunning. The Comerica Building is also very impressive. Detroit needs to continue revitalizing old abandoned industrial sites. Overall, an excellent book that I recommend.

Absorbing book in magnificent color on Detroit's past and present. Worthwhile for anyone interested in history of the city of Detroit.

The book is interesting, especially for the comments that come with each picture. However, I wish there would have been more pictures of the downtown and midtown areas (differents angles, different buildings,...). Still worth the buy for anyone interested in the fascinating city.

AS A NATIVE DETROITER(EAST DETROIT ACTUALLY)I FOUND THIS BOOK TO BE INTERESTING IF NOT SOMEWHAT DISHEARTENING.THE AUTHOR HAS DONE A GOOD JOB OF SHOWING HOW A ONCE GREAT CITY IS SLOWLY DESTROYING ITSELF FROM WITHIN.THE LACK OF FORESIGHT ON THE PART OF THE CITY AND ITS' FAILURE TO PROTECT ITS' ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE IS SAD.DETROIT COULD TAKE A LESSON FROM NEW YORK ON HOW TO PROTECT AND REVITALIZE ITS MANY BUILDINGS.THIS BOOK IS A MUST READ FOR ANYONE WHO REMEMBERS THE CITY AS IT WAS AND HOPES FOR ITS' POSSIBLE REJUVENATION IN THE FUTURE.

I love the photography in "Then and Now" books, and I own editions for several cities (NYC, Philly, DC, etc). However, the Detroit book has an illusory feel that borders on being dishonest.

In short:
1) No auto factory pictures! This would be like a book about NYC with no Times Square pictures, or a book about DC with no pictures of the Capitol or White House.
2) You have to wade 42 pages into the book before you find a pair of pictures where the 'old' view even resembles the newer (~2001) view. This was due to ignoring Detroit's industrial past, and the hulking ruins that are now all over the city.
3) Some pictures are just plain insignificant to the city's history, like the "Pewabic Pottery Company" and a water fountain on Belle Island.
4) Several of Detroit's largest skyscrapers, which are now derelict boarded up ruins, are largely ignored in the book.

One of the very few pages where the author admits a 'failing' of Detroit is a pair of pictures of the Michigan Central Depot rail station. There are dozens of other large Detroit buildings, in a state of disrepair just like rail station, either omitted from this book or presented misleadingly. For example, the 'Now' view of the Cass Technical School looks attractive in this book, but the building turned into dangerous monstrosity (of trash, broken windows, and gang graffiti) just a few years after being closed. Other picture books about Detroit present an accurate view of the Cass.

I can't help but wonder why the author of this book was trying to go out of her way to present Detroit in such an optimistic light. If illusion is your cup of tea, then fine, you will enjoy this book. If visual accuracy matters to you, then you will be disappointed.