Detroit turns 313 this year! The city was founded on July 24, 1701 by the French explorer Antoine Laumet de Lamothe Cadillac. Originally named Fort Pontchartrain du Detroit, its name was shortened by the British after they had gained control of the settlement during the French and Indian War. The city is known throughout the world as both an automotive center and the birthplace of some of the world's best known musical talent. Several nicknames have been attached to Detroit throughout its long history: Motown, Hockeytown, the Motor City, the City of Champions, and the Arsenal of Democracy all reflect the city's acheivements. Although the city has undergone some tough times in recent years, Detroit can be proud of its contributions to both the country - and the world. Several new books and films have been produced recently about the city's current problems, but there is much to celebrate as well. For a taste of the city's history, as well as a picture of its present, check out some of the titles below:

Before Motown: a history of jazz in Detroit, 1920-60 by Lars Bjorn with Jim Gallert

The birth of the Detroit sound: 1940-1964 by Marilyn Bond and S.R. Boland

Boneyards: Detroit under ground by Richard Bak

Celebrating 300 years of Detroit cooking, 1701 to 2001 by Marguerite J. Humes, editor ; with Shirley Hartert and Rennie Hughes

Cobb would have caught it: the golden age of baseball in Detroit by Richard Bak

Detroit: a biography by Scott Martelle

The Detroit almanac: 300 years of life in the Motor City by Detroit Free Press ; edited by Peter Gavrilovich and Bill McGraw

The Detroit Athletic Club, 1887-2001 by Kenneth H. Voyles and John A. Bluth

Detroit, 138 square miles by Julia Reyes Taubman ; foreword by Elmore Leonard

Detroit: ragtime and the jazz age by Jon Milan

Detroitland: a collection of movers, shakers, lost souls, and history makers from Detroit's past by Richard Bak

Detroit's Belle Isle: island park gem by Michael Rodriguez and Thomas Featherstone

Detroit's downtown movie palaces by Michael Hauser and Marianne Weldon

Detroit's historic drinking establishments by Victoria Jennings Ross

Detroit's Masonic Temple by Alex Lundberg and Greg Kowalski

Detroit's Mexicantown by Maria Elena Rodriguez

Detroit's Polonia by Cecile Wendt Jensen

Diego Rivera: the Detroit industry murals by Linda Bank Downs

Forgotten landmarks of Detroit by Dan Austin

Great drives. Woodward Avenue [videodisc]

Grit, noise, and revolution: the birth of Detroit rock 'n' roll by David A. Carson

The Guardian Building: cathedral of finance by James W. Tottis

Hudson's: Detroit's legendary department store by Michael Hauser and Marianne Weldon

Hydroplane racing in Detroit, 1946-2008 by David D. Williams and the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum

Lost Detroit: stories behind the Motor City's majestic ruins by Dan Austin ; photography by Sean Doerr

A Motor City year by John Sobczak ; with a foreword by Jeff Daniels

Sanders confectionery by Greg Tasker

Searching for Sugar Man [videodisc] by a Sony Pictures Classics release of a Red Box Films/Passion Pictures production in association with Canfield Pictures and the Documentary Co. ; produced by Simon Chinn, Malik Bendjelloul ; written and directed by Malik Bendjelloul

Woodward Avenue: cruising the legendary strip by Robert Genat