Reviews

The Dawn of Detroit: A Chronicle of Slavery and Freedom in the City of the Straits by Tiya Miles

ameyawarde's review against another edition

4.0

I'm a history nerd who grew up in Ohio and this book made me realize how shallow my knowledge of Midwestern history actually is. Obviously I knew Detroit is a french word, and that the midwest was heavily peppered with French traders before British ones, but I definitely did not appreciate the depth of the French history in Detroit before this book. Nor did I know basically anything about the enslavement of Native peoples (other than that it happened), which was the major type of slavery in Detroit throughout its history (though African-American slavery definitely becomes a thing as well). Really, actually, this showed me how little I knew about the history of midwestern Native nations all together.

I'd def recommend this book for anyone interested in Midwestern history/culture, or the history of Native peoples or African-Americans in general.

jendurance18's review against another edition

informative reflective sad slow-paced

3.5

cytlaly's review against another edition

challenging dark informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

obviously this was not taught in my 4th grade michigan history class. it should’ve been though

pr727's review

4.0

Very interesting and informative, a real eye-opener on slavery in Detroit as far back as the fur trading days, including the enslavement of Native and African Americans by Native Americans and Euro Americans. I listened to the audio book, read by Allyson Johnson, who sometimes reads a bit rapidly for my ear, but was not difficult to understand. I recommend it to anyone interested in Michigan and Detroit history.

milbelmama's review against another edition

Can’t right now but will come back

courtcat's review against another edition

4.0

Fascinating history, but the writing gets drier and more repetitive as it goes on.

kellsworth41918's review against another edition

5.0

As Black person born and raised in Windsor, Ontario Canada, a descendent of those who travelled on the Underground Railroad from the southern United States this book was refreshing. This well researched book about the saga of slavery is welcomed. Too often Northern States and Canada whitewash the history of enslavement by using the Underground Railroad as the exemplar of that region. Canada had enslavement. Northern states had enslavement. This needs to be truthfully spoken about more. Those Indigenous and Black enslaved lives matter and need to be acknowledged and celebrated. Thank you to the author for providing an important perspective of the fluid border between Windsor/Sandwich and Detroit.

laylajohnston's review against another edition

5.0

An important book that details the often overlooked history of indigenous and African slavery in Detroit. Highly recommended.

knittybookworm's review against another edition

This is a great and informative book! I just couldn’t finish it in time for bookclub and it’s very dense nonfiction 

wleonardf's review against another edition

challenging hopeful informative inspiring slow-paced

5.0

Amazing borderlands history; as a Canadian fascinating to read how slavery and freedom operated on both sides of the river and all in the context of Indigenous dispossession. Miles is masterful in weaving together this narrative despite the small documentary record.