60 pages • 2 hours read
Thomas J. SugrueThe Origins of the Urban Crisis: Race and Inequality in Postwar Detroit
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1996A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Origins of the Urban Crisis by Thomas J. Sugrue explores Detroit's urban decline through the intertwined factors of housing, race, employment discrimination, and capital flight. Sugrue argues that institutional racism and deindustrialization from 1940 to 1960 laid the groundwork for Detroit's socioeconomic struggles, detailing how systemic inequalities and policy choices marginalized the city's Black population, leading to economic disparity and racial tension. Sensitive topics include racism, discrimination, segregation, and violence.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Thomas J. Sugrue’s The Origins of the Urban Crisis provides a comprehensive examination of Detroit’s decline, blending rigorous research with engaging prose. Positive insights highlight its depth and historical scope. Criticisms include its dense academic language and Detroit-centric focus, which may not resonate universally. Overall, it's an essential read for those studying urban history and economic inequality.
Who Should Read The Origins of the Urban Crisis?
Readers interested in urban history, civil rights, and socio-economic disparities would enjoy Thomas J. Sugrue's The Origins of the Urban Crisis. Comparable to works like Michelle Alexander's The New Jim Crow and Richard Rothstein's The Color of Law, it is ideal for those exploring structural inequalities in American cities.