Detroit Then and Now®: A photographic guide to the hidden history, culture and architecture of the city

The old photos are really great, and the historical descriptions are informative. My beef with this book is twofold...it's almost entirely downtown and midtown focused, practically ignoring the other 80% of the city. Secondly, if I didn't know any better, I would assume this book was put out by the Detroit Chamber of Commerce. One would think it would be impossible to whitewash the decline of Detroit in a Then & Now book, but this manages to pull it off. No Chene, no Gratiot, no McNichols, no Livernois.. The few photos in which the now has drastically changed from the then, most are downtown photos that would fit in nicely in an official Detroit promotional brochure (with the rare exceptions being the Michigan Theater parking garage, the graffiti covered Packard plant, and the Michigan Central station). The description of the abandoned station, mid way through the book, mentions the "so-called decay of Detroit", which is a head-shaking statement...does Ms Gay think the reader is stupid? At that point I realized the book was part propaganda from a Detroit native who wished to show 2015 Detroit in the best possible light, and I enjoyed the rest of it with that in mind. Any reader of this book should do likewise. I attached some Then & Now pics that would have made this book a bit more interesting...and realistic.

I've enjoyed several history books about Detroit and seen pictures of how things looked 100 years ago, but I could never put these photos in current day context until I got this book. As you open this book you'll notice a historic photo on the left page and on the right you'll see the very same location but with the current day buildings in place. This is a "must have" book if you want to learn more about the history of Detroit. Impressive coffee table book too.

Good book.

as represented

Its a shame the city has let so many great structures and monuments go to waste. Detroit was a spectacular thriving city long ago. Great writing, interesing subject choices, but there were about 3 photos were the angel of the shot could of been much much better. Almost amatuerish. Should have included more interioir shots. The city wasn't always showed at it's best , I think due to the camera angles or simply waiting ff a better shot.IITs a super cool book to actually compare how things looked before and now. Worth buying!

It's History

Was a gift

I enjoyed looking at the pics in this book. Captured the history and what Detroit is about.

The Detroit Now and Then book needs to be updated due to all the changes. I like to give this book to coworkers who are moving on from the DMC, as there is a now and then picture in it. I have bought and given ~ 8 over the years.

Como otros libros de esta colección acierta con el formato. La única pega que veo es que la mayoría son de ciudades de U.S.A. y hay pocas de ciudades de Europa.