• Detroit

  • An American Autopsy
  • By: Charlie LeDuff
  • Narrated by: Eric Martin
  • Length: 7 hrs and 21 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (1,321 ratings)

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Detroit  By  cover art

Detroit

By: Charlie LeDuff
Narrated by: Eric Martin
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Publisher's summary

In the heart of America, a metropolis is quietly destroying itself. Detroit, once the richest city in the nation, is now its poorest. Once the vanguard of America’s machine age - mass production, automobiles, and blue-collar jobs - Detroit is now America’s capital for unemployment, illiteracy, foreclosure, and dropouts.

With the steel-eyed reportage that has become his trademark and the righteous indignation that only a native son can possess, journalist Charlie LeDuff sets out to uncover what has brought low this once-vibrant city, his city. In doing so, he uncovers the deeply human drama of a city filled with some of the strongest and strangest people our country has to offer.

©2013 Charlie LeDuff (P)2013 HighBridge Company

Critic reviews

"Full of both literary grace and hard-won world-weariness...Iggy Pop meets Jim Carroll and Charles Bukowski." ( Kirkus)

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What listeners say about Detroit

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Great

An important, though sad, story, well told and well narrated. Worth your investment of time.

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Wow

loved the book and the narration was spot on. I listened to Charlie's other book shit show and this didn't disappoint either. Highly recommend the listen.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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It is a story not just of Detroit

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

It is a great story of how a major American city has deteriorated and is circling the drain. Much of what happened in Detroit is happening in other American cities and it paints a dim view of the future of our country.

What other book might you compare Detroit to and why?

Sick: The Untold Story of America's Health Care Crisis---and the People Who Pay the Price by Jonathan Cohn.

More stories of the little guy who is disposable in the eyes of corporate America.

What does Eric Martin bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His narration flows well and keeps the listener engaged.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I would have but I enjoyed it so much that I rationed it listening only an hour a day so that I could think about what was being related and how much it paints the same picture for much of America.

Any additional comments?

Our country is circling the drain. The 1 percent don't care as long as the craziness doesn't impact them. Big money runs the country and looks after itself. This is the story of the bottom five percent and it bodes ill for the future of the US. People should read or listen to this book then think about where we are as a country and where we are going.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Accurate depiction, blunt story

Great story line but could do with less vulgarity
. I grew up in Detroit so could picture what was being discussed.

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Amazing, but heartbreaking story

Charlie LeDuff is not only a great writer but equally amazing at narrating a very important story about Detroit and the demise of the city and the auto industry. This story is real and will likely be a window on the future of USA if we continue as business as usual.

Much thanks to Charlie LeDuff for this well written and told story.

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Charlie LeDuff has a.........

brain!!! He is incredible. If you are amazed by common sense.

Also, narration was good, sounds Detroit to me.... Enjoyed it. But Detroit is still a mess.

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Love this book

Living in downtown St. Louis I totally relate to this book. Powerful cities turning into ghetto he'll holes.

Thanks

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100% Detroit!

Charlie has a very interesting story to tell in this book and it could have been anyone from the City..... EVERYONE from the Detroit area has a story like this and if you're from here, you will be able to relate. If you're not from here, you will still love it. The book gives a 100% accurate description of our City. God Bless The City Of Detroit.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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A Must Read

A must read for all students seeking to one day become a Public Administrators. Truly worth it.

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Stories about a real American city

These stories need to be told. Is Detroit a harbinger? Can we find empathy for the people of Detroit? LaDuff is the right guy to tell us these real stories.

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