Description: As it celebrates the three hundredth anniversary of its founding, Detroit can look back on its rise from frontier outpost to industrial metropolis. That evolution is now captured in a new book for general readers that traces the entire history of Detroit from its founding in 1701 to the present.

Arthur M. Woodford takes readers back to the days of Cadillac's settlement and leads them through Detroit's transition from French village to British fort to American town. As the city's history unfolds, he describes the issues facing its inhabitants in different eras, including westward expansion, the Civil War, the Great Depression, and two world wars. He also emphasizes the many contributions of Detroit business and industry -- particularly the automobile revolution -- to the nation's development and establishes the city's place in the labor and civil rights movements. Woodford brings his history up to the present day by surveying Detroit's new cultural landscape, focusing on its current renaissance.

Written in a brisk, engaging style and filled with historic illustrations and photographs, Woodford's work is an enjoyable and authoritative overview that captures the wide scope and great variety of a proud and multifaceted city. Published under the auspices of Detroit 300, this handsome volume is a highlight of the city's tricentennial celebration, presenting Detroit's best face to the world -- and to the future.

Please Wait