Once in the Great City of Detroit

A new book by Washington Post associate editor David Maraniss examines the glory years of Detroit.

1 minute read

September 28, 2015, 5:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


The old and the new

Angela Anderson-Cobb / Flickr

Julie Hinds provides insight into a new book by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist David Maraniss titled Once in a Great City: A Detroit Story. The book chronicles the period of 1962-1964, when "Detroit was booming then in the arenas of business, labor and music," explains Hinds. "It had a cast of characters to rival any city's great achievers, including auto industry icon Henry Ford II, pioneering labor leader Walter Reuther, Motown founder Berry Gordy and the Reverend C.L. Franklin, father of future Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin."

Most of the article is comprised by an interview with Maraniss, who describes his early childhood in Detroit, his perceptions of the city now, and his decision to cover the specific time frame of 1962-1964.

 

Sunday, September 27, 2015 in Detroit Free Press

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

July 3 - New Orleans City Business

Large spinning swing ride at Chicago's Navy Pier.

The Subversive Car-Free Guide to Trump's Great American Road Trip

Car-free ways to access Chicagoland’s best tourist attractions.

July 3 - Streetsblog Chicago

Aerial view of downtown San Antonio, Texas at night with rotating Tower of the Americas in foreground.

San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion

The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.

July 3 - Governing