63 Alfred Street: Where Capitalism Failed: The Life and Times of a Venetian Gothic Mansion in Downtown Detroit
compare prices
63 Alfred Street: Where Capitalism Failed: The Life and Times of a Venetian Gothic Mansion in Dow...
by
3.2 of 5 stars
In downtown Detroit there exists a grand residence built in the Venetian Gothic style some 130 years ago. It stands now in ruins seemingly more com... read full description

reviews

Oct 06, 2010
Ellen rated it: 2 of 5 stars
I signed up for the First Reads on this book because I thought it would be an interesting topic. And it is very interesting. The author brings in a whole bunch of peripheral material that is unexpected. For instance, there is a section on the Turkish persecution of the Armenians. Obviously the author has done lots of research. There are also many ideas he explores relating to America's development of cities and the ability of residents to move on to the wide open spaces in our large land. I li More...
5 comments like
Apr 27, 2011
Ida rated it: 3 of 5 stars
total bummer. I am, like many others, fascinated with urban decay and found this book interesting in the way it approached the subject through just one house, but my main problem with the book is that i am, like many others a visual thinker and there are no pictures. he goes into great detail about tile work, turrets and the building and the loss of stores and at the end even TELLS the reader that he has a pile of pictures, but for some reason he doesn't include them. Totally frustrating rookie More...
2 comments like
Aug 02, 2011
Ellenkaymi rated it: 5 of 5 stars
I really enjoyed this book. It is the history of Detroit told from the eyes of one house. Readers learn about the architect of the house and the many families who lived there during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They also learn how the occupants of the house, and the surrounding areas evolve over time. If you are interested in the history of Detroit, this book is for you!
0 comments like
May 16, 2011
Stacie rated it: 3 of 5 stars
As a native Detroiter, I found the subject matter to be extremely interesting, but at the same time, very sad. The book definitely could have used some editing, but other than that, I was pretty satisfied with it.
0 comments like
Jan 31, 2012
Liz marked it as to-read
like
Jan 07, 2012
Gregg marked it as to-read
like
Dec 29, 2011
Praggya marked it as to-read
like
Dec 29, 2011
Mary marked it as to-read
like
Dec 11, 2011
Brandy marked it as to-read
like
Nov 09, 2011
Dave marked it as to-read
like
Oct 24, 2011
Bettygean added it
like
Sep 20, 2011
Liam marked it as to-read
like
Aug 27, 2011
Diana marked it as to-read
like
Aug 25, 2011
Mitsya marked it as to-read
like
Aug 22, 2011
Jackie marked it as to-read
like
Jun 06, 2011
Marigny777 marked it as to-read
like
May 03, 2011
Bree marked it as to-read
like
Feb 03, 2011
Ingrid marked it as to-read
like
Jan 03, 2011
Mint marked it as to-read
like
Dec 22, 2010
Michelle marked it as to-read
like
Dec 21, 2010
Kayla marked it as to-read
like
Dec 03, 2010
Clark marked it as to-read
like
Nov 16, 2010
Bani marked it as to-read
like
Jun 18, 2011
Julie H. marked it as to-read
like
Oct 10, 2010
Kevin marked it as to-read
like
Oct 06, 2010
Patty marked it as to-read
like
Nov 09, 2010
Marian marked it as to-read
like
Sep 30, 2010
Diane marked it as to-read
like
Dec 26, 2010
Jody rated it: 3 of 5 stars
like
Sep 30, 2010
Rene marked it as to-read
like