Wikipedia style short chapters on select places, with B&w photographs, and maps. Interesting history from archaeological finds, noteably the Hittites, where texts in their own language were discovered, and had to be deciphered; and Xandau, Kahn's residence, including references to Coleridge and Marco Polo.
Rhakotis - original fishing village that became Alexandria.
Chan Chan (Peru AD 850), highly advanced irrigation, hailed by UNESCO as the first true engineering society in the New World. ( )

Atlas of Vanishing Places by Travis Elborough is an interesting look at some places that are, well, vanishing (as the entities we think of them as).

I think my favorite of his Atlas of... books is Untamed Places, but this is quite good also. It covers thirty-seven places, each with a brief overview/history as well as a couple of pictures and a map. This is great for dipping into periodically when the mood takes you or reading straight through.

While it is not a book I would have ever made students buy, unless I planned to teach most of the locations (certainly not for just one unit), I can imagine I would have either referenced it or included a chapter or two in a course reader. In any case, I would have had to supplement with other resources. That said, whether for students or casual readers, this is a great starting point from which to look deeper into any location that appeals to you.

I saw that someone believes this isn't a book to buy but to check out. I think it is suitable for either. It is nice, even if this is an area you know well, to have overview texts as well as deep dives. It wouldn't be possible to go too deeply into thirty-seven locations, to complain about that is disingenuous at best. It is, however, a great book to always have handy for when you remember something about one of these places and want to verify your memory.

If you happen to live near or are planning to visit near one of these sites, this will offer some information so you can decide if it is worth the trip. Or if there is even anything worth making the trip for. It isn't a travel guide but could certainly help when you're making travel plans.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley. ( )

Atlas of Vanishing Places: The lost worlds as they were and as they are today by Travis Elborough

I received this digital ARC from NetGalley and White Lion Publishing in exchange for an unbiased review.

Related to earlier book Atlas of Improbable Places
Arak Sea in Uzbekistan, once the 4th largest lake in world, 1950s River diverted (Anu Darya and Syr Darya Rivers) to irrigate land for cotton. The author explores the evolution of land and changes occurred through nature and man which have continued to erode with each passing civilization.

There are many illustrated picture and maps of these once inhabited places. I found the history and archeological aspects interesting. It seems that I “knew” of these places but honestly never gave thought to whether they still existed. Some places seemed to exist only from history books and mythology.

The author provides detailed information on ancient cities, forgotten lands, shrinking places and threatened worlds. It provides thought provoking history of our ever changing world as a result of changes in each civilization. ( )