Detroit: I Do Mind Dying: A Study in Urban Revolution

There is a lot to take away from Detroit: I Do Mind Dying. The book is a pretty comprehensive narrative detailing the radical black labor movement that emerged in Detroit in response to bureaucratic trade unions, classism, and racism. There is plenty of context and history in this book for you to understand the period: there are stories of racism in the class, state suppression and response, other radical organizations (such as the Panthers), white-ally organizations (such as the White Panthers), and plenty of examples of the counter culture. You'll find reasons for schisms such as domestic campaigns, internationalism, and workplace organization and other schisms on the grounds of electoral-politics and the scope of education with relation to the union. There is plenty of detail about the organizational structure used.The most fascinating and enjoyable part for me was the posture of the radical union with regards to the bureaucratic trade unions. There is quite a bit of that and the tone of the book is very consistent and anti-trade union. The argument is well laid out and inherent in the narrative.If you enjoy legal responses to state suppression, the insight on Ken Cockrel, Sr. is of high interest. Inside the book you'll find Cockrel's reflection which is a fantastic read. Cockrel at one point takes the defense of a worker, James Johnson, who shot and killed two foreman and a fellow coworker. Cockrel argued that the company actually incited the mental breakdown that caused the shooting and got Johnson acquitted.The layout of the book is perfect for a book club. We read it in our local IWW and did a chapter or a little more at a time. We went about this assigning one section within a chapter to a reader every week. This form works very well this book. The entire book was written after the radical labor movement in Detroit died down; and, it includes a ton of first-hand accounts, quotes, and primary sources -- many of which come right from interviews.All around I have very few complaints about this book. I would have liked more detail about the struggles against sexism in the union, the role of nationalism, and the extent of engagement with electoral politics. All of that said, this is quite easily the best and most educational book I've read from the period about the radical scene anywhere in America.

yes everything is good. the book is fire.

I heard this book was really good from my American Government teacher and since it was so affordable I gave it a try .. I don't regret purchasing this !!

Forget all of the superficial treatments of Detroit's decline. Read this book instead for some real insights into the pivotal period of the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Thank!

YESSSSS! One of my favorite books ever!

The content of the book is fine. The production of the book is poor. My first copy came with 15 pages missing. The second copy came with 15 different pages missing. The publisher cannot promise a complete book for some time, so I would not suggest that anyone order it any time soon.

Nice, thank you!

A unique book that deals with a hidden part of Detroit's black history.