Soviet Ghosts: The Soviet Union Abandoned: A Communist Empire in Decay

This is a disappointing book in two ways. Firstly the written part of the book is art book luvey stuff, often historically inaccurate and not at all detailed in its history of soviet architecture as proletariat art. I know this a stereotype of the writing between the pictures of 'art' books but it would be nice to have something more academic.Still it is the photos that make you buy the book- I think some were featured in the magazine 'The Week' not long ago. And it is the range and choice of buildings that disappoints me the most. Firstly about half of the buildings featured are pre soviet, many 19th century buildings which just happen to have been left empty after Soviet military departure (a common theme of the book). So they are hardly Soviet ghosts at all. As the caption points out at one point some are ghosts of three Reichs before the Russians came in...Among the later buildings some ,indeed, are magnificent Soviet follies, some well worth preserving. I often stay in Bled at Tito's old palace, well preserved as an hotel. I have had the rooms used by Nkrumah, Castro and other tyrants. In the old dining hall there is a soviet style mural of Tito's achievements. And yet the manager points out how Slovene artists had cleverly incorporated Slovene national symbols and emblems..and these were people who had waited 1200 years for independence!However many of the buildings selected as simply military establishments left to decay after the end of the Soviet Union and the Cold War. Some of these in the Baltic states involved the photgrapher in long and even dangerous journeys..say to old bases or radar stations. I could have saved her a great deal of trouble. She could have come to Scotland and found exactly the same post Cold War abandonment.Then there is a section on Chernobyl and ,sadly, this has been covered better elsewhere, even though the local town is a genuine Soviet ghost !So, like the curate's egg, this is only good in parts. Maybe the ghosts needed to be combined with the still living like the Moscow underground or the People's Palace in Warsaw ( local joke; Why is the view from the People's Palace so good? Answer; because it is the only place from which you can't see the People's Palace.)

Someday my plan is to visit the former Eastern Bloc for this exact reason, to visit these ruins and others aspects of Soviet influence during their occupation. As others have stated the photos are top rate, but this book could have been even better with a little more information.Specifically more details on the actual locations, and dare I say maps. Many historical books for WWII have been published with detailed information so people could visit the sites and so forth. There is a small section in the back called locations but very general with regard to location. Also I wish the book could have been much more comprehensive. Maybe this was not part of the scope of the book, but nearly all the text is historical in nature and doesn't discuss really at all the photographs and areas in detail, with few exceptions, mainly 4 pages in the back of the book.

Fascinating book. Exceptionally written and the photography is stunning. I have traveled throughout Western Russia and parts of Eastern Siberia, but I was never able to see these locations. These pictures, and stories, offer a glimpse into the world that was the Soviet Union; a glimpse at a proud and beautiful people. I admire the courage and work of Ms Litchfield and her team to preserve the visual history of these forgotten monuments. This book is a must for anyone interested in Russia, the Soviet Union or architecture. Every time I pick up the book, I notice something new in the photographs. Like the layers of cracking paint long forgotten, there are layers to each chapter and image in this book.

It was interesting and a little sad to see many of this ruined buildings and structures. I thought the presentation was a little confusing. The best shot is on the cover and at the back of the book, but the written description was in the first few pages,

I've barely had a chance to do more than leaf through the book so far, but even just doing that sent chills down my spine. This lady is a talented photographer and the images captured in this book are absolutely breathtaking. My wife has already sat down with the book and looked over every page, even though she has little interest in urbex or Soviet history. Truly an amazing collection of work from a superb artist!

Disappointing. The Soviets produced some interesting art and architecture but this shows very little of it, except what is being deliberately demolished by neglect. Some of it is very sad. As if, say, the US was conquered and co-opted then the Lincoln Memorial or other memorials were deliberately allowed to fall into ruin so people would lose their sense of history. Some of this is like that.

An amazing experience as I flipped through the pages. You can actually imagine all the sacrifice and hardships the Soviets went through during the Cold War by contemplating abandoned military facilities and dreary school gyms. An impressive way of learning through stunning historical images.

As someone who thoroughly enjoys the English Russia website and its pictures of post-Soviet structures and other relics this was a fantastically made picture book with some good insight from the photographer before each section. If you enjoy these kinds of pictures, this will make an excellent coffee table book.

Good photos with minimal description (Didn't like it. The descriptions are at the end of the book. Not the best idea). The best part of the book is some insight to the URSS days in several areas: from culture, to the space run with N. America, Nuclear Disasters, Gulags, etc. Short information but condenses it very well.

It's a nice book, but I felt some of the photos were more interesting for their depictions of decay rather than because they represented something distinctly soviet. I think more could have been made of the iconic soviet buildings- for instance it was difficult to get a sense of scale of the Buzludzha monument. Still it's a good book, and I'm happy to feel I've supported the photograph in her pursuits, in what sounded like quite a difficult book to make.

Wonderful reflective captures with true artistic eye. Bet you can't just buy one of the series.

Very good

Mesmerising pictures a very nice book but more text would be appreciated