Black Detroit

A People's History of Self-Determination

By: Herb Boyd

Narrated by: James Shippy

Black Detroit has descriptive copy which is not yet available from the Publisher.

EXCELLENT READ!

Speaking from a “Black/Negro/African-American” perspective… THIS WAS A PHENOMENAL STORY TO READ! Being a “born, and raised” native Detroiter of the “Black” persuasion, I thoroughly enjoyed learning about my city, and the contributions, as well as pit falls my race/people have made, as well as suffered! I think that EVERYONE needs to read this book… “Black Detroit” is Detroit, and I feel that everyone needs to know it’s AWESOME story! This book was “5 Stars” across the board!

Love this book!

Fascinating and thoughtful book about the history of Detroit I have listened to it twice and I know I will listen to it at least one more time. Highly recommended for all, but especially for those who think they already know Detroit. Puts many issues into proper context.

Selective Recall

I found the history interesting though like any historical account somewhat one-sided or better yet, selectively represented. From the Race Riots of the 60's-70's where the author painstakingly justifies looting to conveniently skimming over the entirety of the Kwame Kilpatrick scandal, how can the book as a whole be taken as factual? "Kilpatrick being found guilty on 6 felony charges" hardly tells the story of how an elected official, one of their own, used Detroit as a platform for his personal coffer, and gangster lair. He cheated an entire city, black and white and was sentenced to 28 years as a result. Tell the whole story!

James Shippy does an adequate job of narration though his even tone sometimes sounds more monotone than anything and at best lacks inflection and emphasis which (almost) makes the book longer than it actually reads.

Great book about the past and present of Black Detroit

This book was the story about self-determination between blacks and the history of their existence here in Detroit. It also detailed the contributions african-Americans made. It gave great hope for the city in an outlined some of things we must do in order to continue to bring things full-circle and forward.

Great writing and storytelling by Herb Boyd

This is an important book about the history of African Americans in Detroit and the US. Herb Boyd is a masterful storyteller who not only captures the times but the mood, the texture and dynamics of each moment and each subject.

The performance quality is poor but doesn't diminish the writing. It does distract and disappoint because it is so full of mispronunciations and lacks the energy and nuance that is needed for such a powerful rendering of History.