The Detroit Riot of 1967

Great Lakes Books Series

By: Hubert G Locke

Narrated by: Kirk Winkler

Length: 5 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

During the last days of July, 1967, Detroit experienced a week of devastating urban collapse - one of the worst civil disorders in 20th-century America. Forty-three people were killed, over $50 million in property was destroyed, and the city itself was left in a state of panic and confusion, the scars of which are still present today.

Now for the first time in audiobook, and with a new reflective essay that examines the events a half-century later, The Detroit Riot of 1967, (originally published in 1969), is the story of that terrible experience as told from the perspective of Hubert G. Locke, then administrative aide to Detroit's police commissioner. The audiobook covers the week between the riot's outbreak and the aftermath thereof. An hour-by-hour account is given of the looting, arson, and sniping, as well as the problems faced by the police, National Guard, and federal troops who struggled to restore order. Locke goes on to address the situation as outlined by the courts, and the response of the community - including the media, social and religious agencies, and civic and political leadership. Finally, Locke looks at the attempt of White leadership to forge a new alliance with a rising, militant Black population.

©2017 Wayne State University Press (P)2017 Redwood Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"A must listen for every generation of social scientists and urban policy makers. Locke was there and wrote brilliantly about the worst riot of the twentieth century and its aftermath." (George Kelling, professor emeritus of Northeastern University and Rutgers University)

"By listening to Hubert Locke's The Detroit Riots of 1967, we guard ourselves against the dangers George Santayana saw in not remembering the past - we are condemned to repeat it." (Judge Avern Cohn, United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan)

Well researched

The author offers an interesting perspective on the deadly 1967 Detroit riot, which lasted for a week, and caused $50 million in property damages. The riot caused 43 deaths, and more than 700 individuals were injured in these senseless acts of violence. Locke traces the root cause of the rioting, and points out what occurred between the 1967 and the 1943 riots . According to Locke's analysis of this tragedy, the 1967 riot was inevitable, and answers the question, "was this a race riot?"

In this well researched work, the author establishes a descriptive timeline of events, and examines how authorities handled the destructive situation. During this violent week in Motown history, there were reports of looting, deadly fires, and sniper activities. The riot caused a response from local, state, and federal governments. Locke takes an in depth look at the aftermath of the urban violence.

Locke explores how the media covered the event, and looks back at the comments and editorials authored at the time. The author does his due diligence to separate the facts and fiction regarding this unfortunate civil disorder. Locke offers his feedback on the conspiracy theories that arose, such as communist involvement in the planning and execution of the rioting. The author offers sound view points on the recovery process, and what was learning from the 1967 riot.

GOOD BOOK

good stuff. Great insight and perspective. 👍🏾 However, the racial angle from the African American side should have more of an opinion. The author didn't deliver in that respect.

Descriptive

Very informative and descriptive. I enjoyed the amount of police Collins, and a step-by-step reenactment of the chaos that started Sunday morning. Detroit has never recovered, and even though it’s been enjoying a Renaissance the last four years.
It is still only takes one match to light the tinderbox. Without heavy policing and stop and search, every major city will go up in flames.