OKEMOS - Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and Associate Editor at the Washington Post, David Maraniss came to Okemos to share his love of Detroit.

On Thursday, November 12th, the community gathered at the Auditorium of Kinawa Middle School for a discussion on the history of Detroit and of Maraniss' new book.

The book "Once in a Great City - A Detroit Story" was published in September after three years of research and writing.

"My inspiration came in the most honest way. I was watching the Superbowl in 2011 and at halftime I saw the Chrysler commercial with Eminem driving down the streets of Detroit and these iconic images of the city, Joe Louis' fist, the Fox Theater, and Eminem walking into the theater with a Black Gospel Choir rising in song," states Maraniss.

"It was that commercial that caused me to choke up at the end and that is what got me thinking about Detroit and what it meant to me and how I could honor the city - the book evolved from that. "


"Once in a Great City - A Detroit Story" shows what Detroit gave to America and at the same time highlight shadows of its fall.

Detroit gave America a lot - automobiles, music - Motown , labor- United Auto Workers, and contributed to the Civil Rights Movement.


"I am excited to see Detroit make its comeback."


Sources say there were around 400 guests in attendance.

And was co-sponsored by the Capital Area District Library and the Lansing State Journal.