Detroit Then & Now

Rating:
Summary: detroit
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: detroit
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: What Once Was to What Now Is
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Sad reminders
Review: 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.