Atlas Obscura: An Explorer's Guide to the World's Hidden Wonders

I bought this for a 30-year old nephew whose county count was, I believe, pushing 40 about a year ago, and I think it may satisfy even him. (He’s the hardest to buy for member of the entire family!)I read a short description of the book in the travel section of the SF Chronicle a few weeks ago, and made the purchase based on that. Well, that combined with my sister verifying that her son might actually appreciate this book!There are many hundreds of places and things described over about 450 pages, with most including a photo, and the balance a drawing. I think the only things without a graphic are the short, “Also in or near…” entries. Those graphics add interest and tend to draw you in, encouraging you to read the piece about whatever is depicted graphically.The book must weigh something like 2 pounds – just guessing – meaning you might not be likely to pack it in your suitcase. However, it’s easy enough to take digital photos of any entries you may want to have easy access to on a trip. It’s printed on heavy paper, and I like that the pages are a pleasing, very light buff color, much nicer than stark white. Point being, it’s aesthetically a very nicely put together book.Because I bought this as a gift, I've looked through it closely but have not read it cover to cover. The entries seem to be written for a variety of readers and travelers, but certainly far from the lowest common denominator. It’s not a typical travel book! I don’t find every entry to be about a fascinating item, but a great many are, and possibly none whatsoever are dull. Even things that might not seem of particular interest based on the heading end up proving to be interesting when you get into the text. That said, there are items about things I have no interest in seeing, e.g., “Lake Monsters of the USA,” but there don’t seem to be many of that sort of thing included. As with "Lake Monsters," even if you (or a recipient) aren't likely to visit many of the places described, I think for many curious people this would make for an interesting read even without the travel element.It's not a perfect book, and I don't think any one book can be perfect for all readers, but I do think it's very good and I can easily recommend it for anyone who might be potentially interested. Given the quality of the contents and of the physical item itself, I am very pleased with the price. Easy 5 stars and recommendation!

This book is marketing genius. I can't say that enough. It really is. It's being promoted as a travel guide — which it most assuredly is not. For example, one of the ads promoting the book features a photograph of a pyramid-like tomb in New Orleans that Nicholas Cage had built for himself. Sounds interesting, right? But if you buy the book and want to look at the page with that entry, good luck. The index does not have any listing for New Orleans nor any listing for Nicholas Cage. If you want to see that page, you'll have to spend time browsing through the pages. Any decent travel guide would have a good guide to its own contents.Which brings me around to what this book really is.It's a bathroom book. That's its principal utility. Oh, sure, you can undertake a world tour seeking out all of the sites that are described, but that would likely be a rather lengthy, expensive and actually uninteresting undertaking. For example, there are only nine places in England and seven in Ireland that are identified. Think about the scores or even hundreds of places you'd find in an actual travel guide. The secondary utility of the book is as a gift. To someone who'll use it as a bathroom book.But bathroom books are fine and this one's pretty good. Lots of very short articles about world curiosities. And that's why I give it four stars. It's better than your average, run-of-the-mill bathroom book. Criticisms from other reviewers about the type of paper used are simply silly and ought to be disregarded altogether.What's nifty, too — and further illustrates the genius of the authors — is that they gathered tons of information in preparation for making this book but used only a small portion of it. You can no doubt look forward to future Atlases, just as there have been multiple, successive editions of Uncle John's Bathroom Readers. Enjoy!

I bought this book as a Christmas gift for my uncle, and the night I wrapped it, I got online to buy a second one for myself.WOW! What an amazing book! I follow Atlas Obscura on Facebook, and they're one of my favorites. I had heard mention of a book and decided to check it out when I was holiday shopping this year. Man, am I glad I did! Look. First off, this thing is the size of an encyclopedia. This isn't some little piddly magazine-sized thing that you can read in one sitting. Oh HECK no. I'm looking forward to digesting this one in small spurts over a long period of time. It's heavy and packed full of never-before-seen info. I guarantee it!There's a terrific table of contents in front to guide you where you might want to go, but I kind of prefer the "surprise me" method of just opening it up. The book is visually stunning - the pages and photos are crisp and clear. The writing is awesome. It's so easy to lose yourself in here: If there's a "look inside" option, I recommend you do so now. I'll wait!The binding is heavy-duty. This book is built to last. If you're thinking about ordering it, order it. And if you're thinking about ordering it for a gift, go ahead and order two because once you peek, you're going to want one of your own. If I know you like I know I know you, then we both know I'm right.If this review even helped you a fraction of an iota, please give it a thumbs-up. I love reviewing in my spare time, so it's really nice to know someone is out there, considering my advice. Thanks, friend! And don't forget your book!

I really think the authors should have broken this down to 2-3 volumes so they could put more stuff for the United States as well as the rest of the world. I thought I would see at least half a dozen locations for the different states but some only had one which I think is pretty ridiculous. All in all, it's an ok book but I would buy it used or on sale.

I am a curious cat, maybe nosey would be a better word for me but I like to know things, I especially like to know things about bits of the world that remain under the radar.Earlier this year I started visiting the website Atlas Obscura which is a rich wonder of strange and wonderful places from across the globe, places that are abandoned, overlooked or just plane dangerous. This book brings together some of the best.Split in to the different areas of the world, this beautiful book (quick note here I did get approved for a NetGalley copy but it looked so nice I treated myself to a physical hardback which is lovely to look at) takes us on tour through some of the most dangerous countries in the world (North Korea, Syria Iraq) via Europe and the US and everywhere in between, it takes us across grass bridges in Peru, to voodoo museums in New Orleans, abandoned islands in Japan and closer to my own home a bridge in Scotland that has the highest rate of dog suicides.This is an exquisite book that shows the more interesting part of the world that those mainstream guidebooks don't go near, which is a shame as some of these places deserve a visit.

This is a thoroughly different take on the places to see in the world. There are no Taj Mahal or Machu Picchu wonders here - instead we have the gravesite cities of the Philippines and the ossuaries of Europe, as well as many other curiosities natural and man made.I been very fortunate and have visited well over 70 countries; but have visited 1, just 1, of the places covered by the book.It is beautifully presented, and shows, what a big diverse, and fascinating world there out there to explore

A very rare book, Interesting, inspiring and engaging read, great for just digging into at random, or as a coffee table curiosity, or simply old school read from cover to cover. Great for young and old alike.I guess my only criticism is some regions get move coverage than others, with some getting barely anything at all, despite having plenty of possible locations. That said, the book is already pretty big.

Love this book so much! I brought this book to treat myself to something that I would find interesting and give me wanderlust and this book didn't disappoint me! Well thought out and easy to flip back and forth. I wasn't expecting this book to be so big and get so light. Must have addition to any adventure!

This is a wonderful book, having worked and travelled the globe for 15 years and now returned home, this is a breath of fresh air. The book is beautifully illustrated and focusses on all the weird and wonderful places, that makes the world of travel so interesting. I am surprised that I have visited a number of the places mentioned, but knowhere near enough of them. Wonderlust has once again been stirred again. Thanks Josh,Dylan and Ella. Great Book