Dead Cities: A Journey Through the Abandoned Places of the World

By Monteiro Lobato

A Haunting and Beautiful Exploration of the World's Abandoned Places

In Dead Cities, Monteiro Lobato takes readers on a journey through some of the world's most abandoned places, from the ruins of ancient civilizations to the ghost towns of the American West. With his evocative prose and stunning photography, Lobato brings these forgotten places to life, revealing their hidden histories and the stories of the people who once lived there.

A Journey Through Time and Space

Dead Cities is a journey through time and space, as Lobato takes readers to places that are both physically and temporally distant from our own. We visit the ruins of Pompeii, frozen in time by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, and the abandoned city of Pripyat, evacuated after the Chernobyl disaster. We explore the ghost towns of the American West, once bustling with miners and cowboys, and the abandoned villages of Eastern Europe, left behind by the collapse of the Soviet Union.

A Reflection on the Human Condition

Dead Cities is also a reflection on the human condition. Lobato's photographs capture the beauty and majesty of these abandoned places, but they also reveal the fragility and impermanence of human civilization. These places are a reminder that even the most powerful empires and civilizations can eventually fall, and that all that remains are the ruins of their former glory.

A Must-Read for Armchair Travelers and History Buffs

Dead Cities is a must-read for armchair travelers and history buffs alike. Lobato's evocative prose and stunning photography bring these abandoned places to life, and his insights into the human condition make this book a thought-provoking and unforgettable read.

Praise for Dead Cities

"A haunting and beautiful exploration of the world's abandoned places. Lobato's photographs are stunning, and his prose is evocative and thought-provoking. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in history, travel, or the human condition."

• The New York Times

"Dead Cities is a masterpiece of travel writing and photography. Lobato takes readers on a journey to some of the most remote and fascinating places on Earth, and his insights into the human condition are both profound and moving. This book is a must-read for anyone who loves to travel, explore, and learn about the world."

• The Washington Post

"Dead Cities is a stunning and unforgettable book. Lobato's photographs are breathtaking, and his writing is lyrical and evocative. This book is a must-read for anyone who loves photography, travel, or history."

• The Boston Globe