A review by thinkspink
Detroit 67: The Year That Changed Soul by Stuart Cosgrove

3.0

Contrasting the peak of Motown with the Detroit riots and the events at the Algiers motel is a great concept. And while the story of how some of the greatest music ever recorded came from a deeply divided city is fascinating, I think there are problems with the structure. It's split into 12 roughly equal chapters for each month of the year, but given that we know the key events all happen in July, the early sections feel padded, and could definitely use a better edit. And then the July and August chapters seem way too short when you get to them. Plus the sections on the MC5 and the counter culture never really intersect the other themes, and there are sections about events on the west coast for reasons which are not made clear. Needed more focus on the key protagonists and the city of Detroit, and a less rigorous structure, but well worth reading anyway if you love Motown music.