Broke: Hardship and Resilience in a City of Broken Promises

by Jodie Adams Kirshner, Michael Eric Dyson (Foreword)

A galvanizing, narrative account of a city’s bankruptcy and its aftermath told through the lives of seven valiantly struggling Detroiters

Bankruptcy and the austerity it represents have become a common "solution" for struggling American cities. What do the spending cuts and limited resources do to the lives of city residents? In Broke, Jodie Adams Kirshner follows seven Detroiters as they navigate life during and after their city's bankruptcy. Reggie loses his savings trying to make a habitable home for his family. Cindy fights drug use, prostitution, and dumping on her block. Lola commutes two hours a day to her suburban job. For them, financial issues are mired within the larger ramifications of poor urban policies, restorative negligence on the state and federal level and—even before the decision to declare Detroit bankrupt in 2013—the root causes of a city’s fiscal demise.

Like Matthew Desmond’s Evicted, Broke looks at what municipal distress means, not just on paper but in practical—and personal—terms. More than 40 percent of Detroit’s 700,000 residents fall below the poverty line. Post-bankruptcy, they struggle with a broken real estate market, school system, and job market—and their lives have not improved.

Detroit is emblematic. Kirshner makes a powerful argument that cities—the economic engine of America—are never quite given the aid that they need by either the state or federal government for their residents to survive, not to mention flourish. Success for all America’s citizens depends on equity of opportunity.

Genres: Nonfiction, Economics, Social Issues, Politics, Sociology, History, Inspirational

355 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 19, 2019

Reviews

[Jypsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Broke
by Jodie Adams Kirshner
Pub Date: 19 Nov 2019

*REVIEW* 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Broke is the type of book that everyone should read simply to be better informed. When you live in the South in the country, it's hard to imagine a place like Detroit, especially the most poverty stricken areas, because I've never actually seen anything remotely close. I couldn't explain the why or how of the housing crisis any more than I could fly to the moon. That's why I chose to read this book. I want to be informed. Broke definitively educated me about subjects unknown prior. The Detroit situation is categorically worse than I could ever describe. I am glad a book chronicling the radically poor and the destitute through the lens of their personal experiences exist. How can any of us understand what we have not lived? We cannot, but this book gives an insider perspective that is startling. It is obvious the author meticulously researched and sifted through vast amounts of data and information. The result is a well written thoughtful intuitive look into hopelessly heartbreaking situations improbable to someone such as me. Try not to roll your eyes while I pontificate for a moment. In a society so advantageous and advanced, why does such despair exist? We all know the distribution of wealth(and housing, healthcare, childcare, education, electricity, food, etc.) is shamefully disproportionate. It is simple, really; if you are born with access and privilege, the likelihood of your succees is extremely high. Think about private schools-the basic structure ensures the elite stay elite. I have a hard time respecting the success of any person who did not earn it by working hard but rather, by advantage and access. Think about the retail industry-privilege owns a store, and privilege-amazingly taken for granted- keeps a store in business. Privilege watches a Friday night movie at the theater, thus ensuring the overpaid famous retain their status. And around and around this cycle goes......
I am not saying donate everything you have to the poor and live like a hermit. What I am saying is acknowledge and recognize how elitist attitudes, unfettered access and advantages allow a portion of society to quash other portions of society, thus ensuring the class system(that allegedly does not exist) remains intact. As a growing epidemic, not isolated in Detroit, the same sad scenarios-hunger, sickness, homelessness- play out every single day for the unfortunate and the poverty stricken in a cycle they are not capable of breaking. Read Broke and inform yourself about how circumstances mean everything.

*Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book, and all opinions expressed are my own.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My family moved to Metro Detroit in 1963 for a better life. My folks did achieve their dreams--a blue-collar job, a home of their own, medical insurance, a decent income, and a pension to retire on. Dad loved his job at Chrysler.

Just a few years later my friends and I watched as planes with National Guard troops flew overhead and tanks lumbered along Woodward Ave., heading to Detroit. The city's legacy of racist policies had birthed rebellion.

Over my lifetime the once-great city plummeted into bankruptcy and stretches of 'urban prairie'.

Why do we remove people from homes, leaving the houses empty to scrappers and decay and the bulldozers? Isn't it better for all to have the houses occupied, assist with their improvement, to have neighborhoods filled?

Jodie Adams Kirshner's Broke relates the series of events and decisions that brought Detroit from vibrancy to bankruptcy. But Kirshner doesn't just give a history of racist housing discrimination and government policy decisions. We experience Detroit through the stories of real people and their struggles to achieve their dreams.

Homeownership is the American Dream. Detroit's homeownership rate was once one of the highest in the nation. Then, African American neighborhoods were razed for 'urban renewal' projects while redlining curtailed housing options.

Kirshner shows how governmental decisions on the federal, state and local level disenfranchised Detroit residents who valiantly endeavor to remain in their homes and neighborhoods.

Bankruptcy, we come to understand, is not just a fiscal issue but hugely impacts individuals' lives.

These six people's stories are moving and devastating. They dream of owning the home in which they live. They purchase houses, repair them, and discover back taxes and water bills follow the house, not the resident, and they can't pay them. Investors purchase houses and let them stand empty while the family who had been living there are forced out.

They can't afford the $6000 a year car insurance they need to work--and to get their kids to school as Detroit has no school buses.

Some are native Detroiters but others were drawn to Detroit's atmosphere and sense of possibility. They are unable to obtain mortgages to purchase empty buildings for development.

They are never sure if rent payments are actually getting to the landlord, or if the discount car insurance they purchase is legit.

House damage remains unrepaired by distant landlords, jeopardizing the safety of a woman and her child.

Meanwhile, Midtown and Downtown development draws suburbanites at the price of huge tax breaks while neighborhood needs are ignored.

Kirshner is a journalist and bankruptcy lawyer and teaches at Columbia Law School. Broke offers deep insight through compelling narrative writing that illuminates and reaches our hearts.

I was granted access to a free egalley by the publisher through NetGalley. My review is fair and unbiased.

I was granted access to a free egalley by the publisher through NetGalley. My review is fair and unbiased.

[Rae · Rating 2 out of 5]

Broke by Jodie Kirshner is a non-fiction read that dissects the financial downfall of Detroit and how the people living there cling to survival one penny at a time.

I had high hopes for Broke by Jodie Kirshner. I enjoy non-fiction books that teach me something new, especially when it’s a subject I know a little bit about already. While I walked away from the book understanding Detroit’s plunge into financial ruin a little bit better, I was disappointed by how the individual storylines were executed.

So what did I like about the book?

It was educational. I didn’t know how much the government played a part in Detroit’s financial crisis prior to reading this book. The government played a huge part through poor decisions and the mismanagement of funds. I was also surprised by how much racial tension played a part in Detroit’s ultimate ruin.

The book attempted to personalize a city-wide crisis. While I think this part of the book was poorly executed, I liked that the book tried to personalize a big issue by covering individuals and how the crisis affected them.

So what didn’t I like?

It was slow. Maybe I just wasn’t in the mood for a non-fiction read, but I had to drag myself through the pages of this book.

I didn’t like how the individuals in the book were covered. I was excited to follow the lives of people in Detroit. I wanted to be sucked in! But unfortunately I didn’t find the execution engaging. It read like a news report, so I never felt like I got to know the individuals who had been touched by the crisis. I wish the book would have covered just a couple people in Detroit and then spent the time going in deep. I wanted to feel a connection–I wanted to care–but I was bored.

Is this the book for you? If you have ties in Detroit, you’ll probably find Broke by Jodie Kirshner interesting. While it wasn’t for me, it might be for you!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing the Kindle version of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Deborah Stevens · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book takes a look at the present day dysfunction of the city of Detroit through the lens of several of its inhabitants, recounting their troubles and pulling back the curtain to reveal the forces and decisions which caused problems.

Having lived outside of Detroit for close to 30 years, I was drawn to this book to learn more about the city. Further, I've really enjoyed other adjacent nonfiction (Nickel and Dimed, A $500 House in Detroit, and Evicted come to mind).

While the topic held my interest the structure caused me difficulty. I found it difficult to go back and forth between broader passages and the narration of an individual's circumstances, and to go from one individual to another. It's possible that the eArc format contained fewer visual cues (headings) than the finished book

With thanks to NetGalley and to St. Martin's Press for the Arc.

[Joseph Tremblay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a lot of thoughts about this book and I doubt they'll all make it into this little review.

Kirshner’s book looks at Detroiters and how they struggle to stay afloat in the few years surrounding Detroit's bankruptcy. Parents with adopted children. A single mother. An late-middle aged woman with a husband in poor health. A late-middle aged single man. Each of them is trying to put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads.

They keep coming up against a system that seems stacked against them. Everyone—federal, state and local governments, the private sector and even some non-profits—fails these people. I can't help but wonder if that is by (cruel) design.

Somehow, though, every one of the people profiled endures and perseveres. I find that remarkable.

I'm glad that I read this book. It's going to resonate with me for a long, long time.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a deep dive into the city of Detroit and it's financial crisis. I was originally drawn to this book because I am a native Michigander and have friends who live in and around Detroit. I was hoping it would have narrative type stories. While it had some narratives on the lives of people living in the city during the years of the collapse, most of the book reads like a finance or statistics book. For me, those pages make me kind of just gloss over and I start to skim through those sections. I did enjoy the stories of the people who live there, I just wish there had been a deeper dive into that aspect. I do feel that the book has value with all of the facts presented, it just isn't a huge hit with me.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Through these up-close-and-personal portraits of seven people trying to get by in Detroit after the city declared bankruptcy in 2013, Kirshner makes an excellent case that disinvestment in cities is disinvesting in the economy, in neighborhoods, and in individuals. Kirshner's narrative sometimes bogs down in dry statistics (she teaches bankruptcy law), but she wisely lets the facts speak for themselves, and does a really nice job in rounding out her subjects with dignity and affection. Her final chapter and concluding author's note present her bullet point takeaways with power and eloquence. This book is indeed heartbreaking and infuriating and even inspiring; definitely deserves a permanent spot on my shelf of books about Detroit (I grew up there). 4 out of 5*'s

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
Broke is the true story of a once great city falling to pieces after the enormous loss of jobs and the mortgage fiasco of a decade ago. The schools and city services are failing their citizens. The very small police force seems to be harassing the few citizens it has left.
This book is maddening, frustrating, unbelievable and at times inspiring. I love the grit shown time and time again by those featured in this book, who are just trying to overcome their circumstances and their multiple setbacks.
Broke is a must-read. It shows what happens when American jobs go away, when schools fall apart and when people lose hope. Broke also highlights those citizens who love their town and desire to prosper and live there..


I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. The views given are my own. #Broke #NetGalley

[Torie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Broke looks at the financial decline of Detroit and how that impacts 7 residents of the city. It is essentially mismanagement by the State and the City that leads to the crisis. My issue is that the stories of the 7 individuals could have been more interesting but were stilted and overshadowed by long discussions about city finances, debt structuring, and detailed passages around city money management and bankruptcy issues. It was slow, very slow, and I skimmed a lot to get to the stories about the people.
This is not necessarily a bad book if this is what you’re looking for, not at all, but it’s not what holds my interest.

[Eve · Rating 5 out of 5]

We've seen the news headlines about cities filing for bankruptcy and, of course, we know how bad it sounds. But, how is it felt on a personal level? Jodie Adams Kirshner's Broke follows seven Detroit residents to answer that question.

A lot of our information input lives in statistics. We hear numbers, we are told how bad something is, but if we haven't lived it or had someone close to us live it, then we often can't grasp the magnitude of these issues. Books like Kirshner's serves to help bridge that gap and help us to feel empathy for those who are affected by policy. It doesn't seek to gain pity, however. There is nothing in the book that suggests that you should feel guilty for not seeing the struggle as it is, but the effect is that you will understand the issues more holistically.

I am not well-educated in these issues, yet I found this book well-written and well-researched. I came away with a better understanding of how policies and predatory practices can destroy a community. It really wasn't that long ago that Detroit was a glittering city - it's scary how quickly it changed.

Thank you to Jodie Adams Kirshner, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for allowing me access to this book. As always, all opinions are my own.

[Sheela Lal · Rating 4 out of 5]

The stories and political histories are woven together nicely, and in a way that almost doesnt feel exploitative. I got to hear the author speak in Detroit and was put off by how little she had to offer as legal or policy solutions to the levels of injustice inflicted upon Black Detroiters. I hoped the book would compensate, but it didnt. For folks who dont live in this region, the book deserves 4 stars.

[Carin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did you read and love the amazing book Evicted? First of all, you should. And then this is the perfect follow-up. In a similar fashion, Ms. Kirshner looks at Detroit, and its perfect storm of job losses, property value tanking, crime rising, infrastructure crumbling, and the spiral that creates.

From afar, we all might think why do people stay there, but she follows a half-dozen residents to fully explain that. It's hard to just abandon a house that your family has owned for three generations. Especially when you can't afford to fix it up or--more crucially--to move. People forget, moving is expensive. Also it's hard to leave a neighborhood you once loved, where your kids grew up, where you once had hopes and dreams. The few remaining residents aren't losers who didn't get out while the getting was good--they're warriors, the last bastion of hope for this city. They're maintaining entire blocks single-handedly. They're alerting friends and family of abandoned homes they can move into and protect from vandals (yes, they're squatters, but is that worse than the house being literally ripped apart for its pipes and water heaters?). Some even see hope and opportunity. With the housing values so incredibly low, people who never could have afforded to buy a house before, now might be able to. Although the legal hoops make getting a conventional mortgage seem like a walk in the park. (And no, you can't get a traditional mortgage in Detroit. It doesn't matter how good your credit is, or how much money you have in the bank. No underwriter will insure it, so no bank will lend it.) Admittedly, also some carpetbaggers have arrived, both in the form of out-of-towners who have romanticized Detroit as a noir land of opportunity, and of absentee landlords, often flippers (but not the kind of flippers who fix up the house first).

But these personal stories serve to illuminate the larger picture. This could happen to any single-industry city. If something bizarre happened to the internet, this could happen to Silicon Valley. And it has happened to a lesser scale to other rust belt cities, from Buffalo to Cleveland (where my sister pays 1/5 the rent I do for a very similar apartment.) Diversification is the best bulwark against devastation, and then smart management if that's too late. Hopefully a city's state won't screw it to the extent Michigan did Detroit (in fact, I think Ms. Kirshner lets Michigan somewhat off the hook for some of the financial shenanigans that went on there. I think the state could have been pilloried some more and they'd have deserved it.) It's a cautionary tale, but also hopefully a story that will increase empathy for those not in booming coastal cities, for those who are struggling are often victims of circumstance and bad timing. This is an eminently readable, important book about a very American problem.

[Kimberley · Rating 2 out of 5]

While this book was certainly informative, it read more like a series of court documents or news reports.

There was plenty of information to be had about the overall dysfunction and mismanagement that led to Detroit’s financial ruin but, even with the addition of personal narratives, it came across cold and, honestly, boring at times.

Perhaps I wasn’t in the right mindset to read something as dense and meticulously researched, as this obviously was, but this was a slog; several times I felt compelled to dump it altogether because it was simply ...too much.

Overall, a great bit of research and, certainly, a book that’ll leave you with a greater knowledge of Detroit’s tenuous position, but not a read to be entered into lightly.

Thank you to NetGalley for this Advanced E-Galley.

[Bookaddictpnw · Rating 2 out of 5]

Admittedly, I enjoy a good, detailed non-fiction that teaches me something about the world. I was completely absorbed by Evicted about the housing crisis in Milwaukee. Broke sounded intriguing - a story of Detroit and it’s slow inexorable fall into bankruptcy, as well the impact on its neighborhood and its people. Unfortunately, it fell flat for me. It is extremely detailed, to the point that my brain hurt from statistics. I was interested in the people the author chooses to follow to tell the story of Detroit, but needed more emotion in telling their stories. I own that this is a personal taste of my own, wanting to be wrapped up in their lives. I think this is a very well researched and written book for people working in urban planning, policy, social work, government, etc. but perhaps not for me.

[Kyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

It isn't that this book is a bad or poorly written book about Detroit, but there are better books out there. Jodie Adams Kirshner delivers a very well researched book about Detroit and its monolithic problems through the eyes of seven Detroiters (I use the term loosely as the list includes non-natives whom likely fall into the category of carpetbaggers). While the individual stories told in the book are about unique individuals the book itself just failed to stand out of the pack for me.

Having said that, I still think it's worth a read. If it weren't for having read several of Kirshner's predecessors this book might have been able to get a few hooks into me. Unfortunately, it felt derivative.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy to read and review.

[Sarah Jensen]

Book Review: Broke: Hardship and Resilience in a City of Broken Promises
Author: Jodie Adams Kirshner

In Broke: Hardship and Resilience in a City of Broken Promises, Jodie Adams Kirshner provides a poignant and deeply human narrative that chronicles the lives of seven Detroit residents as they navigate the challenges of poverty and institutional failure in a city grappling with its identity amid bankruptcy. This work not only documents individual struggles but also raises critical questions about the socio-economic forces at play in urban America.

Summary
Kirshner’s book is structured around the personal stories of her subjects, each representing different facets of life in post-bankruptcy Detroit. Through their experiences, Kirshner paints a vivid picture of the city’s decline, focusing on systemic issues that have led to widespread hardship. The narratives are woven together to highlight themes of resilience and community, illustrating how individuals adapt to their circumstances while confronting the stark realities of their environment.

The author’s approach emphasizes the complexity of poverty; her subjects defy stereotypes often associated with urban decline. Rather than merely portraying them as victims, Kirshner showcases their strength and ingenuity as they seek to overcome obstacles. This nuanced representation fosters a deeper understanding of the socio-economic dynamics affecting Detroit and similar urban areas.

Themes and Analysis
A key theme in Broke is the disillusionment with the American Dream. Kirshner challenges the traditional Horatio Alger narrative by revealing the barriers that prevent her subjects from achieving upward mobility. This critique of the myth of meritocracy is timely and relevant, especially in a context where economic inequality remains pervasive.

Moreover, the book examines the role of community in resilience. Kirshner highlights how social networks and local organizations provide critical support to those affected by systemic failures. This focus on community underscores the importance of solidarity and collective action in the face of adversity, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the despair.

Style and Tone
Kirshner’s writing is engaging and empathetic, striking a balance between journalistic rigor and narrative storytelling. Her storytelling approach invites readers to connect emotionally with her subjects, making their struggles and triumphs resonate on a personal level. The tone is both grave and hopeful, reflecting the complexities of life in a city marked by challenges but also by human resilience.

Conclusion
Broke: Hardship and Resilience in a City of Broken Promises is a significant contribution to the literature on urban poverty and social justice. Jodie Adams Kirshner’s insightful exploration of the lives of Detroiters offers a compelling narrative that challenges readers to reconsider their perceptions of poverty, resilience, and community. The book is not just a depiction of hardship; it is a testament to the human spirit’s capacity to endure and adapt.

Recommendation
This book is highly recommended for students, researchers, and practitioners in fields such as sociology, urban studies, and public policy. It serves as a crucial resource for understanding the complexities of poverty in urban settings and the importance of community resilience in the face of systemic challenges. Kirshner’s work is essential reading for anyone interested in the intersection of socio-economic issues and human experiences in contemporary America.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grit and Determination In Detroit

This book, like many others, is actually stories within a story. In fact, with just the main interviewees alone, further books could likely be written -- books about their earlier life, upbringing, parents and what challenges they faced as they grew. I wonder if we would have more complete answers as to their hardship today? Likewise, I wonder now, could one's city POSSIBLY determine whether a person meets success or failure? Does the fiscal and moral failure of a city make at least the poorest residents doomed to fail? And where is the "tipping point" when citizens go from fighting AGAINST the city's troubles to becoming part of it by turning apathetic or even worse, turning to criminal acts which only bring them and their environment further down? I will say at the outset, that the scope of "Broke" is not meant to, or wide enough to try and answer all of these questions. However it certainly provides further "food for thought!"
In the book, the author Jodie Adams Kirshner, focuses on the history and struggles of Detroit, Michigan. As most know, Detroit was once a city that attracted many workers to good paying jobs with what was thought to be a solid future working in the auto industries. A worker lucky enough to qualify for these jobs and get a position would be able to feed their families, earn a decent living and perhaps pursue the "American Dream" of financial stability leading to home ownership and a life in the suburbs. Unfortunately, racism played a part in Detroit as well. Early on, most of the auto workers were white. When African Americans started flocking to Detroit for some of these same jobs and opportunities, some of the white people moved further into the suburbs. Black families congregated more within the city in rentals. Then automation and the ability to hire people for a fraction of the cost elsewhere led to outsourcing and eventually, "Motor City" began its dramatic downhill slide.
The author focuses on a handful of Detroit residents and follows their attempts at acquiring salvageable homes in the city for pennies on the dollar, paying unpaid property taxes left by previous owners, spending time and money they can't spare from working all day, then coming home and working on a house that many wouldn't even take the time to go look at! Detroit itself has filed bankruptcy and this book discusses that as well as the struggles faced by the residents, the crime, the decay in the inner city etc. And yet there are these residents (and surely many others) who show determination and grit, a good attitude and who genuinely CARE for their city as they try to raise their families and revitalize their environment. Yet it seems at almost every turn there are battles both with "the system" that often seems to exist just to create "hoops" for the poor to jump through, unscrupulous individuals also coming to buy properties in foreclosure then taking advantage of people, crime, safety issues, educational opportunities, social opportunities etc. It is a discouraging read at times!
I hope the author might consider a follow up book on the same individuals. It would be interesting to know what becomes of them and their families, did they finally get to buy a home they could renovate if needed and stay in? How is that area of Detroit now, etc? Interesting book although a little dry in discussion of government finances etc.

[Robert Airhart II · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the story of Detroit’s decline, bankruptcy, unfinished comeback, and the working class people’s resilience as they cope with the results of systemic injustice.

The author spends just enough time on Detroit history at the beginning of the automobile industry ascendency to give the context of the rise to industrial might, setting up the contrast to the Bankruptcy. She also gives a short nod to the Great Migration of Blacks from the south seeking freedom from Jim Crow and seeking opportunity. (See “The Warmth of Other Suns” for an expert examination of the Great Migration.) Then she sets the stage for the injustices along racial lines with a brief discussion of southern white migration to Detroit to work in WW II industries building tanks and other rolling stock first for the allies then for American forces. The terrorism and violence of imported Jim Crow efforts to keep Afro Americans “in their place” (as defined by Southern slavery and then Jim Crow culture and laws post-Civil War) set the stage for the so called race riots during WW II and into the Civil Rights era, and 1967 violence.

The author examines Federal laws (ie: making it illegal to sell your house to a “person of another race”) that enforced injustice, state laws, political boundaries that limited where public efforts and resources could be spent to solve metropolitan wide solutions to metropolitan wide problem. She give a lot of attention to how the federal tax rules fed the cannibalization of property and the wealth of working class Detroit citizens, and how the loss of jobs, inadequately funded and staffed schools, deteriorating Detroit City services contributed to loss of tax revenue for Detroit thus bringing on urban blight and bankruptcy.

The author could have spent more time on how state government, and the Governor in particular, systematically withdrew state resources and cooperation then blocked actions that would have helped turn Detroit’s situation around.

The subtitle, “Hardship and Resilience in a City of Broken Promises” indicates the authors focus on the working class people who were trying to stop the destruction of their communities. She follows a handful of people who were picking themselves up after every knockdown and amply portrays the vision, courage and persistence in the effort to build neighborhood, to build community.

What the author could have made more plain is how the federal and state governments not only abandoned and broke promises to Detroit (and urban areas throughout the country) but actively wrote and enforced laws that made bankruptcy and all it represents in Detroit inevitable.

At one level this book can be read as a case study in the inevitable results of tribalism and white supremacy in America. The book recounts in brief snippets the descent into gated enclaves of the privileged and well off in the midst of poverty and third world conditions. It is a snapshot of what the Kerner Commission predicted 50+ years ago: “...two Societies, one black, one white—separate and unequal.”


This book is extremely timely.

[Lenore Kuipers-Cummins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started this book because of the subject...not being broke, but Detroit. Detroit is a city I will always love. I grew up while riots were going on in Detroit, and my cousins were being bussed across town to different schools. I knew which neighborhoods my relatives lived in, and the differences between the "well-to-do" neighborhoods, and the other neighborhoods.
Reading this book further cemented the idea to me that Detroit could have made a great comeback, and be better than it ever was since the 1920's. I say that because if the city had been given the aid it needed, both state and federal, it wouldn't be the way it was. There was no equity in the financial situation or the opportunities that should have been there. It also cemented the idea in my head that horrendous corruption became the rule, and not the exception. Detroit went through many mayors who were less than effective, and dishonest. Former President Trump was also mentioned several times as being in this category. Bankruptcy in 2013 for Detroit....a broken real estate market, broken school systems, and a broken job market.
In the 1920's Detroit was a beautiful city with architecture beyond compare...the Art Deco period. But as times changed and industry became more predominant, the city began to lag behind and couldn't keep up with the financial obligations it had. At the time the book was written, 35% of Detroit's 700,000 residents fell below the poverty line. Taxes...people moving out of the city to the suburbs where the jobs were, and the transportation took them. Homes, nice homes, and neighborhoods began to empty, and as a result, too many homes were vacant and subject to vagrancy, and there were too many empty lots.
The author follows seven Detroiter's and their lives before and after bankruptcy in Detroit. She meets Reggie, who loses all of his savings trying to make a livable home for his family; Cindy who has drug use problems, prostitution, and the dumping on her block. There's Lola, who commutes two hours a day to a suburban job.
The author points out that Detroit does not stand alone in this category. What will the state and federal governments do to make things right for the people that love the city that they live in and want to stay there?

[Sean Kottke · Rating 5 out of 5]

** I received a complimentary advance reader's copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**

The title "Broke" is entirely appropriate, as this searing case study approach to understanding the impact of Detroit's bankruptcy and post-bankruptcy "resurgence" focuses on the ground-level impacts of federal, state, and municipal policy decisions and demonstrates quite clearly that in the case of Detroit, purportedly utilitarian economic policies have been anything but beneficial to the greatest number of citizens. However, a more fitting title (if less appropriate in another sense) comes from a quote early on in the book: "Shit-hard Town." Detroit breaks the hearts of those who love it most, and each of the interwoven case studies in this book speak truth to that observation. Every remedy seemingly comes with strings attached, some of which are explicit barriers erected out of distrust of the people, others the long legacies of past injustices and personal failures. A couple of years ago, "Detroit Resurrected" took a command-level view of the policy bargaining during the Snyder administration to put the Motor City back on its feet, and took a laudatory stance toward the administration's actions. The stories told here throw a massive bucket of ice water on any warm glow left behind by that previous book. The genius of this reckoning is that it builds from these individual stories to make a larger point about urban policy in America, much like last year's "The Poisoned City" analyzed infrastructural disinvestment across the country through the lens of the Flint water crisis. This is essential reading for policymakers who risk complacency in assuming that once done, a law, regulation, or ruling from above will solve everything for those below.

[Luke Allen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two and a half stars

A book I wanted and expected to love, that instead left me pretty uninspired. I lived in Detroit for much of the time period she covers here (moved out in 2015). And I love oral histories. The concept of the bankruptcy of Detroit through the eyes of ordinary Detroiters is a good idea and an important idea. But, it seems to me, Kirschner isn't really up to the job. First of all, not much here is surprising or even interesting to anyone who live through it, but that can be forgiven, I'm not the target audience. What is more frustrating is the many giveaways that she doesn't really know the city that well. Referring to Hamtramck as a "neighborhood" of Detroit (it's a separate city). Or to Southwest Detroit as severely blighted (it's very densely populated).

But the big problem is the same problem that all these allegedly "smart" people have when they write books like this. She names and illustrates all the problems and offers only the thinnest gruel when it comes to solutions or conclusions. "The state and city governments need to communicate better" "There should be more investment in helping homeowners maintain their properties?" "Public schools should be better funded" Wow. Powerful ivy league brain stuff. How anyone could spend significant time in Detroit from 2010-2015 and come away thinking these little ticky tac changes around the margins are going to solve it's problems escapes me.

But that's what rich, well educated liberals do. Dismiss needed changes in favor of ones that have been think tanked to death. I suppose if she was going to propose anything more aggressive Kresge wouldn't have written a fat grant for her to parachute in from New York to write the book.

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

In Broke, Kirshner personalizes the struggles of the city of Detroit by following several Detroit residents and their struggles with different aspects within the city, mostly relating to finding affordable housing that is livable. The stories that Broke follows show the way that scams of buying up decrepit Detroit housing then renting them out without paying the property taxes, or selling them slowly without again paying property taxes cause those renting or paying to own to lose their homes again and again. This coupled with massively high auto insurance that is out of reach for many residents results in evictions and repeated tickets and court cases that keep residents mired in debt and never able to climb out. The bankruptcy that the city declared helped areas of the city bounce back, Kirshner notes, but did not have a notable affect on the residents of the many only partially functioning homes (missing pipes causing leaks and then mold, and missing appliances, all scavenged for scrap metal).

Kirshner does a wonderful job of showing how the system is perpetuating its own problems for residents of Detroit. The only drawback to the book was the necessity of explaining the convoluted processes at work in real estate, the criminal justice system and other city managed programs in order to show how they are failing. These descriptions were necessary to understanding though they did make the book a bit dry in places. The personal stories of those affected however helped to personalize it for the reader to really understand how these things are affecting real residents of Detroit. A necessary read to understanding Detroit.

[Doug Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've lived in the suburbs north of Detroit since the mid-60s, so I've seen firsthand the basic story about the city's decline, fall, and ongoing recovery as detailed here. But the specifics of this story, following several inner-city residents in their day to day struggles, really moved me. These are all good, honest people trying to do the right things to get by in a tough environment, and they keep getting shafted over and over again by the city, the state, outside speculators, outright con-men, and the "system" in general.

The author's intended point is to demonstrate how bankruptcy is not a good fix for what ails our big cities, and succeeds in illustrating how difficult it is to recover in a way that's fair to everyone. It's true that the downtown Detroit that I occasionally visit is now an attractive, thriving, happening place, but it only speaks for less than 5% of the city, whereas it is the other 95% where 95% of the residents live.

And now, as I live comfortably in my suburban home only 20 miles from where this is all taking place, I can't help thinking about the specific people whose stories are told in this book and wondering where they are now and how things are working out for them...

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

At times so discouraging and hopeless, and at other times verging on the edge of optimism, Broke by Jodie Adams Kirshner is a book that clearly defines the problems of many of our once great cities. Living about 30 miles outside of downtown Detroit, I am aware of many of the problems that Detroit has. But after reading this book, being “aware of many of the problems” is like saying “yes, I know Antarctica is cold and has lots of ice and snow” although I have never once experienced anything like it. Little did I realize just how desperate some of the situations are. When I read about or experience all of the new, bright, fun, educational (and add whatever other adjective you want to use) opportunities there are in Detroit for me to do, I believe that this really is a city that is rising from the ashes. But apparently there is room for improvement according to the author. And the way to do it is stated very clearly in the last paragraph of the book and specifically the last sentence: “Equalizing opportunities and narrowing divides should be fundamental to who we are as Americans.”

[Christie Bane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I grabbed this book on impulse at the library because, although I hated Michigan, I loved Detroit. It was such a fascinating city -- such a glorious past that took such a terrible turn for the worse. All those grand old houses left abandoned, turning back into fields... anyway, this book was a 3.5 star experience for me but I'm rounding it down to 3. The stories of the individual Detroit residents the author followed were very interesting, and very enlightening with regard to why Detroit is the way it is. Unfortunately there was as much analysis of policies, at national, state, and city level, as there was engaging stories, and the author kind of lost me there. I know that knowing that stuff is important, if you want the whole picture of why Detroit is Detroit, it just read like a policy paper between anecdotes. Still, it was a well-written and comprehensive overview of the situation that created and maintained Detroit, and a good book for the library of anyone who's interested in Detroit.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's very expensive to be poor. Like seeping into quicksand, it's a constant, desperate fight to keep your head above the sand. In the book Broke, seven Detroit residents are shadowed as they claw their way out of completely unfortunate and wholly unfair circumstances during their city's struggle to also survive post-bankruptcy. While the anecdotal narratives are melancholy and dire, they are the most compelling part of this book. Unfortunately, the author seems only to scratch the surface of these seven individuals. Amid the municipal distress and systems so obviously stacked against them, the personal stories shed light on the bigger picture of what happens when, abandoned by federal and state support, a city's housing, school, and job markets collapse. It was sadly moving to experience these hardships from the eyes of the Detroiters. The author decently researched, but honestly, could have dug a little deeper. Ultimately, you are lifted by the perseverance and sheer grit of these 7 individuals in their pursuit of the American Dream.

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really, really wanted to like this book. So much so that I kept hanging on and reading long after I had lost interest. I think the title and the cover threw me (and yes I know I shouldn't be judging a book by its cover, but it lured me in). I thought this was going to be a book about people in Detroit trying to get by. It turns out that's not quite the story. The real story here is that it's the City of Detroit that is just trying to get by and the people that live in it. The people that live in it are not quite as Broke as the title makes out, and I guess that is jarring. Another thing that really got under my skin was a lot of economic talk and turmoil, which I guess comes with the territory, but again, I misunderstood the whole concept of this book. So I will admit that this is my fault on this book. The author seems to have done an alright job, but it's just not for me.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was created after a multi year grant allowed Kirshner to study the rise and fall of Detroit and what it will likely take to restore any semblance of stability so it reads like research though it attempts to tell a story. It does, just not with a flair of storytelling narrative.

I read about the people she focuses on but I was "outside" looking in. I wanted to be inside and affected in a more powerful way. Instead I was watching prejudicial game plays being called and then played out on the field without any real feelings. Naturally you're angered by the policies and changes that were discriminatory and have taken a long time to correct if at all, but it didn't have the weight that a recent title called Toxic did.

It teaches and has copious notes and an index but just didn't have that something extra in the delivery.

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book reminded me of Nomadland, a book I read a couple of years ago. Both deal with the economic struggles of people in the underclass-the first being people who have lost homes and are living in trailers or campers, this about people who are trying to establish homes in Detroit. The author does a good job of telling the story of Detroit's decline into bankruptcy, a background I found interesting since we moved here as bankruptcy was happening. But my objection to the two books was the same: By focusing on the struggles of a handful of people, none of whom seem to make much progress, the work not only is terribly depressing and painful but doesn't give you a picture of how widespread the problem is. Are these the 8 most miserable people she could find in Detroit or a snapshot of the total reality? There is no way to know.

[Sean Carrigan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up, expecting it to be little more than an academic’s expose of failed social programs and an ensuing bankruptcy. I was delighted to find so much more.
Without pulling punches, Jodie Kirshner details the failings at the local, state and federal levels that produced the nightmare that most outsiders view Detroit to be. While the civic decay is awful, it pales in comparison with the human toll, as shown in the struggles of seven residents dealing with problems so much bigger than most readers might envision.
While Detroit owed both its tremendous prosperity, and subsequent decline, to an industry it spawned, that city is far from unique. How we learn from the hard lessons taught by this once proud metropolis may go a long way to shaping what this country looks like generations from now.