My Detroit, Growing Up Greek and American in Motor City

by Dan Georjakas and Dan Georgakas

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0918618924
• ISBN13: 9780918618924
• Release Date: December 2006
• Publisher: Pella Publishing Company
• Length: 310 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.3" x 1.0" x 5.3"

Customer Reviews

A very intersting book for Greeks, and people who grew up in Detroit

I did not grow up in Detroit, and unfortunately I have never visited Detroit. I lived most of my life in Greece, apart from the time that I went to college in NJ, and had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with my Greek-American relatives. Thus, I became very interested in the subject of Greek migration to the USA. Mr. Georgakas has written a very interesting book, showing how Greeks have both "resisted" and incorporated American culture, and how they have struggled to keep their national identity afloat. He also describes how a young man like him, can overcome the fanaticism of identity, and open his eyes to the American reality of the 50s and 60s. Again, it is a very interesting book, and through its pages the reader can understand quite a few things about Greek Americans, and understand their struggle and incorporation in society.

My Detroit-Growing up Greek and American in Motor City

I TOO GREW UP IN DETROIT, ONLY A MILE OR SO FROM WHERE THE AUTHOR GREW UP AND I WENT TO THE SAME JUNIOR AND SENIOR HIGH SCHOOLS. ONE BIG DIFFERENCE: I GREW UP WASP NOT GREEK, SO MY MEMORIES OF DETROIT IN THE 50'S ARE SOMEWHAT DIFFERENT THAN THE AUTHORS. FROM THIS BOOK I LEARNED ABOUT ANOTHER SIDE OF EAST SIDE DETROIT. THE BOOK IS INSIGHTFUL AND ADDED GREATLY TO MY KNOWLEDGE OF GREEK CULTURE AND THE MAKEUP OF DETROIT IN THE 50'S.

Greek Americans in Detroit

As a young teen, I remember going to Detroit's Greektown to walk up and down Monroe Avenue and the side streets, too. Mr. Georgakas has written an intimate and finely drawn picture of what life was like as a first generation American. He points out the social formalities, levels of politeness, and the fine sense of moral behavior expected of those first generations. Georgakas has also contributed many articles to the Journal of the Hellenic Diaspora which comment on the historical and sociological aspects of a very interesting ethnic subculture. No, it was not like "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" because the real subculture had strong fathers and mothers who vigilantly protected the virtues of all their children. Greek Americans were told to achieve and esteem education. Those early fathers were proud to have their offspring, male and female,obtain a college education. So much of Georgakas book brought many past sentiments to mind and added to the pleasure of reading. I would recommend this to those who wish to revisit the earliest era of Greeks arriving and living in America.

My Detroit- a review

My Detroit is a fascinating, entertaining and informative book. The author, Dan Georgakas, describes life in Detroit during the first 26 years of his life as he grew to adulthood in mid 20th century America. As a result, he provides a slice of Detroit history told from a young person's unique point of view. In the first part of the book, he describes growing up in vibrant and ethnically mixed east Detroit, focusing on school years and his youthful social life. The latter pages cover Georgakas's college days and early work experiences as a high school teacher. The reader comes to see that, in his early years, the author was somewhat of a contrarian to the prevailing norm. He reveals, "As I proceeded through college, I found myself drawn to individuals and organizations highly critical of many American norms. Even in literary matters I was usually attracted to writers who were out of favor." This was a period when student unrest was prevalent in many U.S. colleges. During the late 1940s and early 1950s, Detroit was the powerhouse of the automobile industry. The city was thriving economically, artistically and industrially. The State of Michigan was also in a dynamic growth period: its universities were expanding; super highways were under construction; and businesses were growing rapidly. Incredibly, within a few years Detroit fell into an economic dive and lost about half of its population. By 1950 the automobile industry was led, not by the auto pioneers, but by hired managers. These so called "whiz kids" proceeded to set in motion the ruin not only of the automobile industry, but other private and governmental institutions as a result of their myopic, misplaced practices. My Detroit reveals the actions that led toward the tragic decline. Georgakas believes that the decline would have been avoided if the city's business, labor, education and government leaders had implemented more enlightened policies. The author, however, has not lost hope for a Detroit renaissance. He writes, "Greek mythology offers the hope that a resplendent phoenix can arise from the most uncompromising ashes. I hope fervently for a Detroit phoenix." On a recent visit to Detroit, this review writer observed hopeful signs of a renaissance. Dan Georgakas's questioning mind makes the history he presents unique, original and interesting. Refreshingly, My Detroit is not a rehash of conventional thinking. I enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.