Abandoned Towns
by Chris McNab
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Pub Date 14 Apr 2024 | Archive Date 22 Feb 2024
Amber Books Ltd | Amber Books
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Description
Gold rush towns abandoned when new boomtowns emerge elsewhere or the gold has run out, towns deserted when caught in war zones, settlements evacuated due to natural disasters or chemical spills – seeing a town with devoid of people is an uncanny feeling. Where has everyone gone? And why aren’t they coming back? From Pripyat in Ukraine to Bodie in California to English villages requisitioned by the Ministry of Defence during World War II, from Greek leper colonies to deserted Italian mountain villages, Abandoned Towns is a brilliant pictorial work examining lost worlds. With reasons ranging from the collapse of local industry to being pushed aside to make way for a new industry, from earthquakes and volcanoes to man-made chemical spills, from war zones to demilitarised zones, the book explores a wide range of desolate urban environments from around the globe. And with these places left to nature, we can see not only how nature reclaims the land, but also gain a glimpse into the past free from humankind’s modernising hands. With 150 striking colour photographs exploring 100 worlds, Abandoned Towns is a fascinating visual history of the mysteries of lost worlds.
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781838863739 |
| PRICE | £19.99 (GBP) |
| PAGES | 224 |
Links
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Lisa D, Reviewer
What a fantastic book with such gorgeous pictures! I was disappointed that the abandoned locations didn't seem haunted, because there were logical reasons the places became uninhabited. A lot of the abandoned towns used to be mines, while others were victims of weather, volcanoes, and/or war. One place was, ironically, an oasis that was abandoned after being destroyed by heavy rain.
I love how the author pointed out that, while some of these locations are the most beautiful places in the world, that didn't mean that people living there would necessarily be able to appreciate that when living conditions are harsh.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this! I'm going to go through it again, because it's just so interesting
Ink R, Reviewer
Abandoned Towns by Chris McNab is utterly stunning. The book is structured by continent and is a stark reminder of historical events and a warning about the effect of current events
Each picture has a description and an overview of the history of the area and the events that lead to the locations abandonment. From financial failure, to natural disaster, and sadly, man made disaster, However, theyy not only serve as a warning, but in many cases, monuments to be preserved (such as the Wat Phra Si Sanphet temple complex in Thailand, the Tkvarcheli Power Plant in Abkhazia, the Vijayanagara, in Karnataka , India and the Jahaz Mahal. This list is not exhaustive as there are structures in every chapter that have a story
The architectural styles are described clearly and succinctly and it is interesting to see which have stood the test of time and travesty, and which have not. It is also interesting to see the different architectural styles adopted globally
Another aspect which was beautifully captured, is how nature returns, taking over and growing through structures, sometimes destroying them, sometimes sheering them up, but prevailing. While this does not happen in every instance, it happens in the majority of them
I really, really enjoyed this book and it is well worth reading as a chronicle of history and the tenacity of the natural world
Thank you very much to Netgalley, Chris Mc Nab and Amber Books Limited for this stunning and thought provoking ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own
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