Abandoned America: The Age of Consequences (Jonglez photo books)

This book has truly amazing photos documenting the end of days for some locations. Matthew Christopher has captured the last images of some of these places as they have been torn down. I really appreciate that not only does this book, (and his other Abandoned America also), have great photos, it also has text that tells the story so well. I hope he continues with his series as many people need to see what we are leaving behind.

There are books and there are books that tell a real story.This book tells haunting stories of abandoned factories, hospitals and prisons that are shuttered and torn down. There are snippets of what life was like when the building was in active use.It is a book of heartbreaks, stories too sad to fathom, and pictures documenting the destruction and desecration of our very humanity. Tales of places, some over a century old that are destroyed by vandals and the elements in a handful of neglectful years. Stories of corruption, poor politics, bad decisions and small glimmers of hope.In the pictures of forgotten places, I learned to value the importance of what I have now. I will look a little closer at closed shops sitting vacant for years with more caring regarding the final outcome. If the owners are not keeping the place maintained, I will speak up and encourage others to add their voices. Allowing buildings to rot is criminal.Consequences, what happens should matter and the pictures in this book paint a picture of what happens when people turn a blind eye to the buildings falling apart around them.

There are not too many books that blow my mind. In the world of photoshop and everything at this point (for the most part) being captured in some book or another -- THIS BOOK is such a great enigma! Not only is the hard back cover thick and give you a sense of the detail and concern that only quality things of the past adhere to but inside you get a rich display of Matthew Christopher's mind blowing ability to capture the rustic in all venues before they finally are put to rest forever. This type of photography is the most captivating. Within this book you NEVER get the sensation of images being distorted with photoshop. I got the sense that I was right there beside the photographer to witness what he was capturing that time seems to let go of. If this book sold for $300 I would still pursue buying it. A price like this - to see such amazing images - is one helluva bargain,. Thank you Matthew for sharing the best of what exists in photography! Love this book!!!

Abandoned America: The Age of Consequences is a book as haunting as it is visually stunning. It's hard to believe these beautiful old buildings, the likes of which will not be built again in our lifetimes, were simply abandoned and left to decay. We are brought into these spaces at their most tenuous moments through the author's lens, the images serving as backdrop for serious discussion on the nature of entropy and societal breakdown. For me the unexpected finds within these pages are the succinct, well-written historical observations and insightful perspectives offered by the author. Matthew Christopher is not only an accomplished photographer, he is a thoughtful writer with a knack for getting down to the truth of his subjects.Full disclosure: I know the author through participation in a number of his Abandoned America photography workshops, which come highly recommended by the way if you are interested in gaining legal access to photograph some amazing abandoned places, some of which are seen in this book. That said, my review is colored only by the impression it left on me. It is indeed an adventure well worth the time.

I pre-ordered the book, and it was delivered right on time, into my hand from the FedEx driver. I pulled the zip tab and removed the book from packaging. Opening it, the front cover fell away and hung from the broken spine. The driver had already pulled away. Some judiciously applied hot glue fixed the break, and I thumbed my way through. Fantastic photos and great stories behind each pic. Well worth owning and enjoying, but it will never be a pristine piece. I don't know if it was the bindery or the shipping terminal that broke the books' back, but I have to knock a star off because of the defect. I suggest that you open the package before the driver leaves, if you are hand-delivered the book, and avoid the hassles of returning it through regular channels if it is broken. I took the quick and dirty way out.

Matthew Christopher photography is equaled by his thoughtful writing. While some older building are beyond repair, Christopher puts into perspective our neglect for history and our lack of preserving it for future generations. He doesn't do this in a loud, preaching way but in a way that causes you to pause and really take in the stunning images that you are seeing. I am admittedly a sentimental person and choose to hang on to old relics of any sort, but this book and Matthew Christopher's website have given me a much higher level of appreciation for the "bones" of our communities. I would recommend this book to anyone and I don't think any age is too young to start sharing an appreciation for the beauty that surrounds us and what can happen to it when neglected. With that said, the images are beautiful even through the decayed subject matter. It's a great coffee table book and, hopefully, a thought-provoking conversation starter.

I bought this book after following the Facebook page and I was not disappointed. It is a great look into the past of America and demonstrates just what we have done to some fantastic architecture, some beautiful buildings and history which can never be rebuilt. This book should make every town planner around the world think before destroying our history and they should be made to read this book before making decisions. Mathew Christopher has done a fantastic job here and I would recommend this book very highly

Thoughtful commentary and history to go with the pictures. Not at all some hipster rubbish to put on your coffee table, but great, thought-provoking images with thought-provoking text. Really like this book!

The photos are atmospheric and moving. The introductory essay is a bit heavy on the art speak. My copy arrived with the corners bashed in.

Fabulous book!

A Stunning book full of beautiful photographs , that capture the beauty of what once was and now where only decay and memories are left behind .