Teardown: Memoir of a Vanishing City

Journalist Gordon Young returns to his Rust Belt hometown of Flint, Michigan, to rediscover and help a place that had become one of the country's most impoverished and dangerous cities. He befriends a ragtag collection of urban homesteaders and die-hard locals who refuse to give up as they try to transform Flint into a smaller, greener town that offers lessons for cities all over the world. Teardown is a powerful tale of a once-thriving city still fighting to rise from the ashes.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 23 February 2021
Publisher: University of California Press

After spending fifteen years in San Francisco, journalist Gordon Young felt a strong longing for his hometown of Flint, Michigan. Flint, known as the birthplace of General Motors and the focal point of the Michael Moore documentary Roger & Me, had once been a prosperous city with one of the highest per capita incomes in the world. However, it had descended into poverty and danger. Young returned to Flint with the intention of purchasing a house and revitalizing the city that had once held so much promise.

Upon his arrival, Young encountered a place of stark contrasts and remarkable stories. He discovered an exotic dancer who could afford a lavish mansion, speculators buying cheap houses on eBay in bulk, and arson being used as a means of neighborhood beautification. The city was a tapestry of economic disparities and social challenges.

Young skillfully weaves together personal memoir, historical inquiry, and interviews with Flint residents to create a vibrant narrative of a once-thriving city that is still fighting against overwhelming odds to rise from the ashes. He forms friendships with a diverse group of urban homesteaders and ardent locals who refuse to give up, determined to transform Flint into a smaller, greener town that can serve as a model for other cities worldwide.

Teardown is a hard-hitting, insightful, and often painfully funny book that reminds us that cities are ultimately defined by the people who inhabit them, rather than by politics or economics. Young's writing brings to life the struggles and triumphs of Flint residents as they navigate the complexities of urban revitalization. Through his storytelling, he offers valuable lessons and insights into the challenges and opportunities facing cities today.

In conclusion, Gordon Young's Teardown is a powerful and compelling book that offers a unique perspective on the city of Flint. Through his personal journey and intimate interviews with residents, Young paints a vivid picture of a city that has faced numerous challenges but remains resilient and determined to thrive. His writing is insightful, engaging, and thought-provoking, reminding us of the importance of community, perseverance, and the power of human determination in shaping the future of our cities.

Weight: 412g
Dimension: 153 x 228 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520377547