Arthur M. Woodford takes readers back to the days of Cadillac's settlement and leads them through Detroit's transition from French village to British fort to American town. As the city's history unfolds, he describes the issues facing its inhabitants in different eras, including westward expansion, the Civil War, the Great Depression, and two world wars. He also emphasizes the many contributions of Detroit business and industry to the nation's development and establishes the city's place in the labor and civil rights movements. Written in an engaging style and filled with historical illustrations and photographs, Woodford's work is an enjoyable and authoritative overview that captures the wide scope and great variety of a proud and multifaceted city.