Walking the streets of Detroit today, it's hard to imagine the accumulated stories of its centuries of history. First founded as a military outpost, Detroit played host to French farmers, stove builders, and railroad car manufacturers before becoming the backdrop to the auto industry-arguably the most influential technology in history. Detroit: An Illustrated Timeline invites the curious reader along the chronological path that is Detroit's past and present. Along the journey, myriad pivotal events took place: the city's fall to the British during the War of 1812; the existence of slavery in Detroit as late as the 1820s; and Mayor Hazen Pingree's aggressive advocacy for the everyday citizen against corporate interests. Twentieth-century entries include Detroit's underappreciated architectural heritage, the development of its notable cultural institutions, and the city's newspaper strike of 1967-68. Not to be omitted are the exploits of assorted criminals and villains, such as the Black Legion, the Purple Gang, Father Charles Coughlin, Henry Ford's chief enforcer Harry Bennett, as well as the history of racism within the Detroit Police Department-a factor that led to the 1967 riot. The book ends on a high note by drawing attention to some recent milestones-the reopening of the Book Cadillac Hotel, the restoration of the Michigan Central Station as a center for automotive research, and Detroit's selection as a UNESCO City of Design. Local author Paul Vachon brings more than 300 years of Detroit history, facts, and photos together in a collection that will enlighten even the city's longtime residents.