Lost Detroit tells the stories behind 12 of the city's most beautiful; all-but-forgotten landmarks and of the people behind them; from the day they opened to the day they closed. While these buildings might stand as ghosts of the past today; their stories live on within these pages. The team behind BuildingsofDetroit.com brings you the memories of those who caught trains out of the majestic Michigan Central Station; necked with girlfriends in the balcony of the palatial Michigan Theatre; danced the night away at the Vanity Ballroom and kicked out the jams at the Grande Ballroom. As Detroit Free Press Architecture Critic John Gallagher said; the buildings in these pages held a central place in the story of Detroit's Auto Century. It was America's story; too. Detroiters lived; loved; toiled; played; celebrated and dreamed great dreams in these buildings and thereby helped shape a nation."
#623237 in Books Inner Traditions 2006-10-24 2006-10-24Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 10.00 x .60 x 8.00l; 1.54 #File Name: 1594770921224 pages
Review
51 of 51 people found the following review helpful. Mystical and Academic BookBy Kyra_AthenaFirst; this book is written by two German anthropologists and was only recently translated into English. The research is very thorough and objective. I'm sure someone would argue with this assertation; but I don't think I'd want dispute anthropologists who study ethnobotany and art history as well. They are more qualified than I am.Second; the book is not really a how-to book as far as rituals and such. This is more about the traditions and symbolism which we believe to be Christian and part of Christmas observance. Imagine telling someone that Santa Claus is really the personification of a hallucinogenic mushroom; the fly agaric; often used in shamanic religious practices. St. Nicholas' sack has pagan symbolism. The Christmas tree was the Christian church's response to the pagans who worshipped the living tree; so cutting down and killing the tree would be the ultimate insult. Plants and recipes involving particular spices are also mentioned in here. The living evergreen wreath is exceptionally symbolic as the circle of life and the wheel of the year. Buying gifts and decorating like mad is a new phenomenon during the Christmas season as is evident in poems; stories; and sayings from as late as the early 1900s.I believe this book would be educational and would benefit almost any reader. Pagans and Christians should all read this book. Some extremists wouldn't like it as it is in direct conflict with their beliefs.I say buy the book or borrow it from a library for its educational value. If it had been available in English; I would have bought it sooner. I've been looking for a book like this for years.6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Loses something in translationBy Meredith DillmanI wanted to like this book. I love the premise and there are some interesting parts; but I suspect it lost a lot in the translation from German. Many sections are oddly repetitive or don't explain traditions that would be more familiar to native German readers. There were points where it unclear what he was trying to explain or how the subject related to general topic. I am interested in plants and read previous reviews before ordering this; but the writing was a little more convoluted and academic than I expected.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Lovely book with lots of interesting information.By Nina MalischevThis is a lovely; interesting book; concentrating on the botanical influences on Pagan Christmas- that is; the customs we celebrate today that in fact have roots in pagan celebrations. It presents quite a lot of information about a wide variety of plants; mushrooms; etc.; and includes lovely photographs. I really enjoyed it and it was fun finding the meaning behind things like holly and ivy; the Christmas tree; mistletoe; etc.
