Book Review: American Ruins

Non-Fiction Book Reviews

By Sandy Amazeen Oct 15, 2007, 21:45 GMT

When one thinks of the term American ruins, almost certainly it congers up iconic images of cliff dwellings in the American southwest and yet as Drooker’s superb inferred photography demonstrates, there is so much more to appreciate. In the first book devoted strictly to American ruins, Drooker used three criteria when selecting the twenty-five sites he photographed including protected status, both public and private. Shot in inferred, the pictures are deeply evocative as they convey the lonely majesty to be found amongst the shattered remains of dreams and dynasties, long abandoned to the elements. Even places not usually thought of as beautiful take on a quiet grace as witnessed in nature’s reclamation of the Bethlehem steel mill in Pennsylvania. The remains of Bannerman Castle on Pollepel Island, New York assume a very organic feel as fringes of vegetation seem to flow over the rounded lines of ornate stonework. Jack London’s Wolf House in Glen Ellen, California was to be a “lofty lodge” yet as fate would have it, a quick burning fire swept through the residence in 1913, a month before he moved in. Without funds to rebuild, the four stories, twenty six rooms and nine fireplaces offer mute testimony to man’s futility. And that seems to be the prevailing feeling of this stunning collection, that for all man’s grand designs and planning, it is nature that will have the last word. More then one hundred photos capture the essence of these often forgotten sites while short essays by noted authors and historians provide the humanizing background history. Fans of history, architecture, photography and archaeology will find plenty to hold their interest in this beautifully produced volume.

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WendyOct 17th, 2007 - 03:40:24

Can't wait to see this book. I've been looking for a holiday gift to give to friends and associates. Sounds like a beautiful gift to bestow and experience.

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Book Review: American Ruins

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