By Jeffrey Buck

If there is one thing I can’t stand right now it’s the overabundance of news coverage on the same subjects over multiple outlets. I’m a big believer in Detroit and the citizens who are making a difference but so many people go unaccredited. Newspapers, magazines and other publications seem to flock to the same circle of people writing the same story we’ve already read. I’m not saying that these people don’t deserve the credit they are getting but there seems to be enough love to go around.

The Metro Times has done it’s part over the years of giving us a small glimpse at people in Detroit who are just everyday hardworking citizens. The stories from columnist John Carlisle, better known as Detroitblogger John, have shed light on the overlooked and forgotten while bringing life to neglected, far-flung neighborhoods. Carlisle has gone out into the community and listened to the stories of people with all sorts of backgrounds, families, history and most importantly, stories.

313: Life in the Motor City is a collection of forty-two of Carlisle’s most unforgettable stories and several never-before published photographs. It takes us all around the Motor City making stops to talk to bar owners in neighborhoods that have seen record declines, a coffee shop for the city’s homeless and even an art gallery in a mattress store. Each unique story is a little insight in to life in Motown. It offers an alternative to finding out just what goes on in areas people may not visit or even know about. It focuses on people we probably haven’t heard of doing things we may not have though possible.

Carlisle is a native of Detroit and got the name detroitblogger John based on his long-standing web project, detroitblog. Beyond the Metro Times Carlisle has been a contributor for Hour Detroit magazine and an editor at the C&G Newspapers chain. He is a graduate of Wayne State University’s Journalism program and has won numerous awards for his writing and photography most recently being named Journalist of the Year in 2011 by the Detroit chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.

History Press in the publisher of 313:Life in the Motor City (they are also the publisher of Hidden History of Detroit by Amy Elliott Bragg) is available through the publisher directly as well as at local bookstores and independent retailers for $22.95.

Those of you in the Detroit area have an opportunity tonight to meet the author, John Carlisle himself. Tonight, Thursday, December 1st, at 7 PM there will be a talk and signing at Leopold’s Books in Midtown. Leopold’s is located in The Park Shelton at the corner of Woodward Avenue and Kirby Street (15 Kirby Street, Detroit, MI 48202).

For more information on the book: Website, Facebook & Twitter

For more information History Press: Website, Facebook & Twitter

Image: Source