Detroit

An American Autopsy

By: Charlie LeDuff

Narrated by: Eric Martin

Length: 7 hrs and 21 mins

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)

So Good

This book is both passionate and even-handed - as even-handed as an autopsy of an American city can be. I admit I approached this book with trepidation, fearing I'd find a kneejerk conservative diatribe since LeDuff is/was (?) a Fox contributor. I needn't have worried. There is ample blame to go around for what happened to Detroit and LeDuff spares none of them. But this isn't just a political screwed. It's the story of a reporter trying to raise a family and report on the terminal decline and imminent death of Motown in anecdotes which coalesce to paint a picture of a hopeless and cruel city run into the ground by corruption, indifference and crime. The narrator matches the intensity and passion of the author. A fantastic audiobook on every level which I can't recommend highly enough.

great story! horrible narrator

readers impressions were horrible, I imagine this clown was raised in San Francisco and has never set foot in a city like Detroit, but thinks he can nail the impressions like a seasoned vet! However, the author did a great job, and I really enjoyed all of the diverse accounts included.

Well written and depressingly real

What did you love best about Detroit?

It is written in story format so you can really get a sense of events and people involved.

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

This book is a brutal wake up call about how bad things really got in Detroit. I am a Michigan native but it would have been equally disheartening to hear about such a reality in any city.

Any additional comments?

I am glad I gave this book a listen but I had to choose something very upbeat and positive after this one.

Detrioter gives 4 stars.

Thought it was a good story. Would've appreciated more of the city's history of the good years. Perhaps if we knew more about the tilling and planting of this Great city ..everyone would feel the horror of its rape and terrible struggle to come back from its depression. I will love Detroit forever!!!

An informative good listen

Having grown up in the Detroit area but living over 1200 miles away for the last thirty years, I was very interested to learn about the changes that have occurred during my absence. With the decline of the auto industry in particular and manufacturing in general, I knew the changes would be massive but never expected them to have such an dramatic impact on a once great city. This book is well written, well narrated, and very informative. Highly recommended.

Excellent story and recent history of Detroit

Would you consider the audio edition of Detroit to be better than the print version?

I think the narrator does an outstanding job of getting the voice of Charlie LeDuff out of the writing. For that reason, I thought it was a good version compared to the written.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The main character, Charlie, because he becomes like a friend - whether you like him or not, he seams like a real person.

Which character – as performed by Eric Martin – was your favorite?

Same as above

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

"Losers"

Any additional comments?

If you're looking for a great story about a guy who was accomplished around the world, then makes his way back to his hometown of Detroit - you'll love this story. Also, if you're looking for a recent historical account of Detroit and explanation of how things got the way they are or an explanation of how things are now in the city - this is your book. Worth the buy.

Left me wanting more

Living near Detroit, I watched this calamity unfold. Many of the details were unknown to me, and I enjoyed the story. HOWEVER... It seemed like the book came to an abrupt end and left me wanting more. I hope Charlie has a sequel in the works.

Highly Recommended

Very good explanation about what's happened to Detroit over the years. it sounds like a novel, but is far from being a created story.

Unfiltered look at Motor City

Raw, rough'n'tumble story about a city at its crossroads. Very well narrated. Sassy, yet succinct.

Excellent

Would you listen to Detroit again? Why?

Have listened to it twice- being a detroit expat with a strong bond to the city and how it has formed my outlook on life, it is nice to hear similar struggles with an underlying story of how the people of the city support others and try to move forward regardless of the set backs and preconceived notions of criminal behavior that the rest of the country sets upon us.

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

yes