Thomas J. Sugrue’s The Origins of the Urban Crisis provides a comprehensive examination of Detroit’s decline, blending rigorous research with engaging prose. Positive insights highlight its depth and historical scope. Criticisms include its dense academic language and Detroit-centric focus, which may not resonate universally. Overall, it's an essential read for those studying urban history and economic inequality.

Readers interested in urban history, civil rights, and socio-economic disparities would enjoy Thomas J. Sugrue's The Origins of the Urban Crisis. Comparable to works like Michelle Alexander's The New Jim Crow and Richard Rothstein's The Color of Law, it is ideal for those exploring structural inequalities in American cities.

The Origins of the Urban Crisis by Thomas J. Sugrue explores Detroit's urban decline through the intertwined factors of housing, race, employment discrimination, and capital flight. Sugrue argues that institutional racism and deindustrialization from 1940 to 1960 laid the groundwork for Detroit's socioeconomic struggles, detailing how systemic inequalities and policy choices marginalized the city's Black population, leading to economic disparity and racial tension. Sensitive topics include racism, discrimination, segregation, and violence.

Informative / Gritty / Challenging / Melancholic

- The Origins of the Urban Crisis by Thomas J. Sugrue won the prestigious Bancroft Prize in 1998, an award given for books about American history or diplomacy.
- The book is often credited with reshaping historical discussions on race, economics, and cities in America by focusing on Detroit as a case study.
- Sugrue's groundbreaking work was cited as an important influence in the 2003 Supreme Court case Grutter v. Bollinger, which dealt with affirmative action in university admissions.

Thomas J. Sugrue

Adult

Book

Nonfiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore The Origins of the Urban Crisis reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read The Origins of the Urban Crisis | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore The Origins of the Urban Crisis and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

The Origins of the Urban Crisis Summary and Study Guide

Background

The Origins of the Urban Crisis Background

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Introduction

The Origins of the Urban Crisis Introduction Summary & Analysis

Part 1: “Arsenal”

Part 1 The Origins of the Urban Crisis Part 1 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “Rust”

Part 2 The Origins of the Urban Crisis Part 2 Summary & Analysis

Part 3: “Fire”

Part 3 The Origins of the Urban Crisis Part 3 Summary & Analysis

Conclusion

The Origins of the Urban Crisis Conclusion Summary & Analysis

keyFigure

Key Figures

The Origins of the Urban Crisis Key Figures

theme

Themes

The Origins of the Urban Crisis Themes

Index of Terms

The Origins of the Urban Crisis Index of Terms

quote

citation

character

Important Quotes

The Origins of the Urban Crisis Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

The Origins of the Urban Crisis Essay Topics

The Origins of the Urban Crisis: Race and Inequality in Postwar Detroit

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read The Origins of the Urban Crisis?

Reading Age

Book Details