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Subterranea: Journey into the Depths of the Earth’s Most Extraordinary Underground Spaces Hardcover – October 12, 2021

by Chris Fitch (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 48 ratings
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"A deep dive into the mysteries of the underworld. Secret crypts, underground rivers, and engineering marvels are revealed in exquisite detail, exposing the background stories of the world's greatest hidden wonders." Jill Heinerth, author of Into the Planet

Filled with fun facts and unbelievable photography, Subterranea is a below-the-surface exploration of the world’s most spectacular underground spaces. Geographer and storyteller Chris Fitch peels back the outer layer of the earth and reveals the fascinating hidden underground spaces you can’t see from above the ground. These incredible places include poisonous caves in Mexico where the toughest fish in the world manage to survive; the magnificent Roman sunken palace that was lost beneath the streets of Constantinople for centuries; the "Door to Hell" that was accidentally created by Soviet gas explorers in the 1970s and has been on fire for nearly half a century; and the drug-smuggling tunnels between Mexico and the United States.
 
Lavishly illustrated and packed with maps and photographs of little-explored locations, Subterranea is the unique, untold, and utterly unforgettable story of our planet from the inside.
 
Previous page
  1. Print length
    240 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Timber Press
  4. Publication date
    October 12, 2021
  5. Dimensions
    7.5 x 1 x 10.5 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1643261096
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1643261096
  8. See all details
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The Amazon Book Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

From the Publisher

the unique, untold, and utterly unforgettable story of our planet from the inside out

Kazumura Cave, an exceptionally long lava tube

The underground city of Derinkuyu

Darvaza Gas Crater, the fabled 'door to Hell'

Tunnel of the Large Hadron Collider

Creation

Kazumura Cave is now known to be at least five times longer than when it was first recognised as the world’s longest lava tube.

Ancient History

Ingenious booby traps were installed in the entrances to the underground city of Derinkuyu, to ensure security in the event of an invasion.

Modern History

The fires of Darvaza—the fabled "Door to Hell" accidentally created by Soviet gas explorers—have burned for half a century, with no indication they're close to running out.

Today

The futuristic tunnel containing the Large Hadron Collider is as devoid of atmosphere as the moon, and cooled to almost absolute zero.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“With stunning photos, illuminating cartography, and well-crafted narratives, Subterranea takes readers on a deep dive into the mysteries of the underworld. Secret crypts, underground rivers, and engineering marvels are revealed in exquisite detail, exposing the background stories of the world's greatest hidden wonders.” ―​Jill Heinerth, author, Into the Planet

“From the haunting beauty of natural phenomena like caves and cenotes to modern man-made megaprojects like colossal subterranean cemeteries and drainage systems, Chris Fitch uncovers spaces few will ever see firsthand.” ―Matthew Christopher, Abandoned America

“With evocative maps and stunning photography, Subterranea shows that the underground realm is just as captivating as the above-ground world around us.” ―Daily Mail

“A great way to escape from the outside world by diving into the depths of another.” ―How It Works

“An original and timely odyssey into our mysterious underworld.” ―Nicholas Crane, presenter of BBC2's Coast and Great British Journeys

“A home-run hit with history buffs, science lovers and curious people all over the world!  Buy this as a gift for an inquisitive loved one and make sure you buy one for yourself as well.” —The Book Review Crew

“A fascinating tour of what lies beneath: ancient caves and tunnels, modern subway systems, even an underground city in Australia – complete with historical information, co-ordinates, and detailed maps for the intrepid explorer." —The Globe and Mail


 

From the Back Cover

The astonishing places that lie beneath our feet are revealed with striking beauty in Subterranea. Whether it’s exploring the underground cities of Cappadocia, a seed vault located 800 miles within the Arctic Circle, or caves with tiny blind dragons, geographer Chris Fitch investigates our planet from a rare perspective: the inside.
 

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Timber Press (October 12, 2021)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1643261096
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1643261096
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.5 x 1 x 10.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 48 ratings

About the author

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Chris Fitch

Chris Fitch

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Chris Fitch is an author of several science and geography books, and has written for a range of international media, including National Geographic, Lonely Planet, and The Atlantic.

Formerly senior staff writer at Geographical, the magazine of the Royal Geographical Society, he has reported from around the world, covering important stories from Gibraltar to the Galapagos, from Arizona to Australia.

Born in London, now based in Lisbon, he has also lived in the Solomon Islands, South Korea, Taiwan, New Zealand, and Brazil.

@chrisfitchchris

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
48 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Kingery Music
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read!
Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2024
Verified Purchase
The visuals are stunning. I am particularly fond of the included maps illustrated for the book. Each chapter is a quick, informative read.
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Clare O'Beara
5.0 out of 5 stars Subterranea
Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2021
This is a fascinating look at cities under cities, or under mountains; at vast underground reservoirs and water tunnels; at gas-powered eternal underworld flaming pits; at limestone caverns unexplored until recent equipment allowed; at ancient cave paintings; at minings and delvings, escape routes and particle accelerators.

Just enough science of geology and cryology and hydrology is imparted, so you can look up terms if you wish but can take in the sense of the text easily. The brightly coloured photos reveal incredible landscapes, formations and habitations.

We have to be glad that others are brave enough to explore, or inspired enough to create, or educated enough to design and build. This book will provide you with facts to amaze and tourism sites to bookmark. We also learn about climate changing and what it may mean for our future.

I read an e-ARC from Net Galley. This is an unbiased review.
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Pop Bop
4.0 out of 5 stars A Great, Surprisingly Informative, Collection
Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2021
Going back to Benson Bobrick's 1981 subway history, "Labyrinths of Iron", I have been a fan of books that take us underground. This volume is wide ranging, steps beyond the usual subjects, offers just enough photos and maps to illustrate the text and whet the appetite, and entertains with an engaging, congenial, but crisply informative, narrative. In short, it is a success across the board.

The books is loosely organized by topic - natural caves and underground rivers, ancient structures, and modern subterranean projects. You'll get caves and cenotes - longest, deepest, weirdest, and most mysterious. As to the ancients, you'll travel from the mausoleum of the first Qin Emperor, to the Qumran Caves, to Cappadocia. Modern times bring us from the London Underground to Cooper Pedy to the Kolwezi cobalt mines. In all there are 40 different chapters.

Apart from the photos and maps, which are fine but easy enough to find online, the other appeal here is our author's stylistic approach. The text is engaging, but not jokey or breezy. Descriptions, background, and history are truly informative, and even familiar sites, (those terracotta soldiers), get a fresh treatment.

So, this was a fine, entertaining, and informative find that fit quite nicely on my underground adventures shelf. A great armchair find.

(Please note that I received a free advance will-self-destruct-in-x-days Adobe Digital copy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
3 people found this helpful
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kwc
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful
Reviewed in the United States on October 15, 2021
Subterranea is surprisingly informative and enjoyable to read. The focus is on things below ground and includes lots of colorful photos, maps and diagrams. The book is broken into four sections. Creation (things in nature) which includes many caves and even a chapter on Pando, an ancient forest of cloned trees that are connected underground, in my home state of Utah. Ancient History, man made structures like terra-cotta soldiers or the buried city of Herculaneum. Modern History and Today cover the 1900s and 2000s respectively. The Large Hadron Super Collider is covered, Helsinki's Underground City and Jerusalem's, modern-day underground cemetery. Each site chosen was interesting and not always what I was expecting. The writing gives information about the site, history and cultural importance. The book includes places on every continent and is not western centric. The is a genuinely interesting coffee table book. Thank you to NetGalley and Timber Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Pictures of Beautiful Places
Reviewed in the United States on October 31, 2021
SUBTERRANEA by Chris Fitch

This has beautiful pictures of beautiful places, complete with a few pages that tell about what each place is when it was discovered and what if any, humans used it for. As a former caver, I have a great appreciation for the subterranean world.

I am sure I did not appropriately appreciate the splendor of this book since I had an electronic version. A hard or softcover version would be coffee table worthy, to awe family members and visitors, alike.

Highly recommend.

I consider myself fortunate to have received a complimentary copy of #subterranea from #timberpress @timberpress #netgalley I was under no obligation to post a review.
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Katie Nelson
5.0 out of 5 stars Human history isn't just aboveground!
Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2022
I love that this is essentially a tribute to underground and subterranean architecture, both natural and man-made. While this may not be a resource for geologists and similarly practicing scientists, I hope everyone gets a kick out of his zingers and enjoys the recreated maps of areas for each location mentioned. Plus, this could be a great conversation starter if you run out of things to talk about.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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KAYLA ANN KREUGER
4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful to meander through (like the subject)
Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2022
This is a beautiful book with lush illustrations and vivid descriptions of the world under our feet. There have been several caving/ underground titles released lately, but this one is pretty enough to serve as a coffee table book - and the information is arranged so that you can dip in and out rather than reading straight through. A great gift for lovers of the natural world!
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Gorgeous book, very interesting narrative
Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2021
Chris Fitch delivers Subterranea, a book bursting with gorgeous photographs and astounding information. I was expecting just photographs, but Fitch includes vivid descriptions of the formation of the caves as well as the people and creatures who inhabit them. The photos are so vibrant, they take your breath away. Get this book for the photos then dive into the narrative. Thanks so much to Net Galley for the chance to read an ARC.
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Top reviews from other countries

Tom Matthews
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully fascinating
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 13, 2020
Verified Purchase
Fascinating and utterly beautiful. I absolutely loved this book - one of the few books I have made time to read from cover to cover in recent years! The subject matter is fascinating but it is Chris Fitch’s storytelling that brings these bizarre but true tales to life so vividly. Matthew Young’s lavish illustrations and maps complete this beautiful publication. A book to treasure.
3 people found this helpful
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S. Y. Akhtar
5.0 out of 5 stars Immersive and brilliant
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 7, 2021
Verified Purchase
The author has a unique ability to create a wonderfully immersive collection of factual stories. I've learnt so much from reading his books and this one is no exception. Everyone will learn something here and be taken to far parts of the globe not yet experienced.
2 people found this helpful
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Garth H. Barstow
5.0 out of 5 stars Underground.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 27, 2020
Verified Purchase
Superb book, well documented, good read.
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