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Name: Atlas Obscura, 2nd Edition: An Explorer's Guide to the World's Hidden Wonders: Foer, Joshua, Morton, Ella, Thuras, Dylan, Atlas Obscura: 9781523506484: Amazon.com: Books
Price: 20 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.8 (2318 reviews)

Atlas Obscura, 2nd Edition: An Explorer's Guide to the World's Hidden Wonders Hardcover – Illustrated, October 15, 2019

by Joshua Foer (Author), Ella Morton (Author), Dylan Thuras (Author),

4.8 2,318 ratings

Part of: Atlas Obscura (6 books)

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Discover wonder.

“A wanderlust-whetting cabinet of curiosities on paper.”— New York Times

Inspiring equal parts wonder and wanderlust, Atlas Obscura is a phenomenon of a travel book that shot to the top of bestseller lists when it was first published and changed the way we think about the world, expanding our sense of how strange and marvelous it really is.

This second edition takes readers to even more curious and unusual destinations, with more than 100 new places, dozens and dozens of new photographs, and two very special features: twelve city guides, covering Berlin, Budapest, Buenos Aires, Cairo, London, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Moscow, New York City, Paris, Shanghai, and Tokyo. Plus a foldout map with a dream itinerary for the ultimate around-the-world road trip. More a cabinet of curiosities than traditional guidebook, Atlas Obscura revels in the unexpected, the overlooked, the bizarre, and the mysterious. Here are natural wonders, like the dazzling glowworm caves in New Zealand, or a baobob tree in South Africa so large it has a pub inside where 15 people can sit and drink comfortably. Architectural marvels, including the M. C. Escher–like stepwells in India. Mind-boggling events, like the Baby-Jumping Festival in Spain—and no, it’s not the babies doing the jumping, but masked men dressed as devils who vault over rows of squirming infants.

Every page gets to the very core of why humans want to travel in the first place: to be delighted and disoriented, uprooted from the familiar and amazed by the new. With its compelling descriptions, hundreds of photographs, surprising charts, maps for every region of the world, and new city guides, it is a book you can open anywhere and be transported. But proceed with caution: It’s almost impossible not to turn to the next entry, and the next, and the next.

From the brand

Captivating guides to extraordinary destinations and wonders—far-flung and in your own backyard—that inspire curiosity and adventure.

Atlas Obscura is a global community of explorers who have together created an extensive library of the world’s most wondrous places and foods—from a secret apartment atop the Eiffel Tower to bridges built out of living roots, from a fruit that tastes like chocolate pudding to a spicy chutney made out of red ants, from Bleeding Tooth fungi that ooze blood-colored goo to the world’s largest beaver dam—so big it can be seen from space.
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Join the global community of explorers and feed your curiosity with Atlas Obscura

"A wanderlust-whetting cabinet of curiosities on paper." - New York Times

Explore curious and unusual destinations like...

Egypt's White Desert

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	Atlas Obscura: Wild Life	Atlas Obscura, 2nd Edition: An Explorer's Guide to the World's Hidden Wonders	Gastro Obscura: A Food Adventurer's Guide	The Explorer's Library: Books That Inspire Wonder	The Atlas Obscura Explorer’s Guide for the World’s Most Adventurous Kid

Customer Reviews	160	2,318	1,719	40	1,421
Price	$20.00	$20.00	$15.18	$39.99	$19.18
Also Available from Atlas Obscura	A nature book like no other---a dazzling, over-the-top collection of the world's most extraordinary wild species that takes you to all seven continents and beyond. It's more than a field guide–it's an adventure.	This second edition takes readers to even more curious and unusual destinations, with more than 100 new places, dozens and dozens of new photographs, and two very special features.	Created by the ever-curious minds behind Atlas Obscura, this breathtaking guide transforms our sense of what people around the world eat and drink.	The Explorer’s Library combines the two New York Times bestselling guides from Atlas Obscura, packaged in a slipcase that evokes the timeless allure of travel. It is the perfect gift for the person who lets curiosity be their compass.	Embark on the journey of a lifetime—and see how faraway places have more in common than you might expect! This book is your passport to a world of hidden wonders, illuminated by gorgeous art.

WARNING: California’s Proposition 65

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for the first edition of Atlas Obscura:An Explorer's Guide to the World's Hidden Wonders

“A wanderlust-whetting cabinet of curiosities on paper” —The New York Times

“This book is as curious and enthralling as the world it covers. Each page reveals some hidden realm—a realm that is frightening, or funny, or magical, or simply mad, but that always leaves the reader in wonder.”
—DAVID GRANN, author of Killers of the Flower Moon

“I thought I had seen most of the interesting bits of the world. Atlas Obscura showed me that I was wrong. It's the kind of book that makes you want to pack in your workaday life and head out to places you'd never have dreamed of going, to see things you could not even have imagined. A joy to read and to reread.”
—NEIL GAIMAN, author of Sandman and American Gods

“Atlas Obscura is a joyful antidote to the creeping suspicion that travel these days is little more than a homogenized corporate shopping opportunity. Here are hundreds of surprising, perplexing, mind-blowing, inspiring reasons to travel a day longer and farther off the path. . . . Bestest travel guide ever.”
—MARY ROACH, author of Stiff and Gulp

“My favorite travel guide! Never start a trip without knowing where a haunted hotel or a mouth of hell is!”
—GUILLERMO DEL TORO, filmmaker, Pan’s Labyrinth

“Fair warning: It's addictive.” —NPR, “Cosmos & Culture”

“In this gorgeous collection, the celebrated Atlas Obscura website is condensed into 480 pages of awe-inspiring destinations. For lovers of history and exploration, the striking color photographs will spark immediate wanderlust.” —Entertainment Weekly

“Odds are you won’t get past three pages without being amazed at something truly strange that you didn’t know existed.” —San Francisco Chronicle

“Richly illustrated, delightfully strange, this compendium of off-beat destinations should spark many adventures, both terrestrial and imaginary.” —Boston Globe

“This book is PACKED with wonderful, amazing, fascinating places all around the world. This is the perfect gift for the person who thinks they’ve done it all and seen it all because this shows that there’s so much more in the world to explore. It’s a wonderful, wonderful coffee table book.” —NBC, “TODAY”

“A perfect tome for the armchair explorer and the actual traveler alike.” —Austin American Statesman

“Whether describing a Canadian museum that showcases world history through shoes, a pet-casket company that will also sell you a unit for your severed limb, a Greek snake festival, or a place in the Canary Islands where inhabitants communicate through whistling, the authors have compiled an enthralling range of oddities. Featuring full-color illustrations, this hefty and gorgeously produced tome will be eagerly pored over by readers of many ages and fans of the original website.”—Booklist (Starred Review)

“If this compendium of the weirdest, wackiest, and most wonderful destinations on the planet doesn't fill you with insatiable wanderlust, then you need to check your pulse.” —mental_floss

“This is the fun way, a deep dive (sometimes literally) into places you’d never find otherwise, the weird and wild wonders of the world.” —WIRED

“The book is for people who prefer to live like locals when they travel, seek out new cultures on vacation, or just prefer the weirdness of history to traditional by-the-book experiences. Even if you can’t travel, Atlas Obscura is a window into places you’d otherwise never know existed.” —lifehacker

“A travel guide for the most adventurous of tourists . . . a wonderful browse [for] armchair travelers who enjoyed Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York and Frank Warren’s PostSecret.” —Library Journal

“The most addictive book of the year.” —Colin McEnroe, WNPR

Praise for the second edition of Atlas Obscura:An Explorer's Guide to the World's Hidden Wonders

“The Second Edition of Atlas Obscura is a hefty book but one that the world traveler in your life will love. There are hidden gems with over 100 more places added from the original. Travel through Budapest, Moscow, Tokyo, and more with the turn of the page and showcase all the curiosities this world holds.” — The Daily Beast

“Beholding hundreds of off-the-beaten-path gems, this book is a treasure chest of wanderlust where readers are transported to places they’re certain to have never encountered.” — Marie Claire

“The second edition of “Atlas Obscura” is a gift so enthralling that it may draw the recipient into a kind of extended trance. Crammed fore-to-aft with “the world’s hidden wonders,” this collaboration by Joshua Foer, Dylan Thuras and Ella Morton features mesmerizing photos, maps, drawings, info and addresses. On one page there’s a Thai monk standing in saffron serenity in a village temple built of brown and green beer bottles; on another a bust of Vladimir Lenin, erected in 1958 by Soviet scientists who made it to Antarctica’s “Southern Pole of Inaccessibility.” If you can get there (the authors have advice about that), you may find, depending on the weather, only the top of the tyrant’s head poking from the snow.” — Wall Street Journal

"Satisfy your wanderlust and plan your next travel adventure with the help of this brilliantly illustrated guide." —Car and Driver Magazine

About the Author

Joshua Foer is the cofounder and chairman of Atlas Obscura. He is also the author of Moonwalking with Einstein: The Art and Science of Remembering Everything, a bestseller published in 33 languages, and a forthcoming book about the world's last hunter-gatherers.

Ella Morton is a New Zealand-born, Australia-raised, Brooklyn-based writer, focusing on overlooked aspects of history and culture. After covering consumer technology at CNET she hosted Rocketboom NYC, a web show about New York’s quirkier people and places. Her most popular interview was a chat with Cookie Monster on the set of Sesame Street. Ella was associate editor at AtlasObscura.com, where she wrote about such topics as tobacco smoke enemas, Victorian streaming music services, and the etiquette of marrying a ghost.

Dylan Thuras is the cofounder and creative director of Atlas Obscura. He is also the coauthor of The Atlas Obscura Explorer's Guide for the World's Most Adventurous Kid.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Workman Publishing Company; 2nd edition (October 15, 2019)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 480 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1523506482
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1523506484
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 3.2 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.5 x 1.5 x 11 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #13,610 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #10 in Atlases (Books)
- #15 in General Travel Reference
- #21 in Trivia & Fun Facts (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4.8 2,318 ratings

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Atlas Obscura
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Ella Morton
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Ella Morton is a New Zealand-born, Australian-raised, Brooklyn-based writer, focusing on overlooked aspects of history and culture. After covering consumer technology at CNET she hosted Rocketboom NYC, a web show about New York’s quirkier people and places. Her most popular interview was a chat with Cookie Monster on the set of Sesame Street.
Ella is now Senior Editor at Atlas Obscura, where she has written about such topics as tobacco smoke enemas, Victorian streaming music services, and the etiquette of marrying a ghost.
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Dylan Thuras
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"Dylan Thuras is the co-founder of Atlas Obscura, a multimedia company and “Guide to the World’s Hidden Wonders” visited by over 5 million monthly users, and co-author of NY Times #1 best seller Atlas Obscura: An Explorer’s Guide to the World’s Hidden Wonders. He is the author of the forthcoming 2018 kids book “The Atlas Obscura Explorer’s Guide for the World’s Most Adventurous Kid.”
Dylan has spoken at conferences including SXSW, and the New Yorker Festival about discovery, wonder, and changing nature of travel. Dylan lives in Rosendale, NY with his wife Michelle, his three year old son Phineas, and the brand new addition to the household, his daughter Jean. When not traveling, changing diapers or sleeping, Dylan enjoys drawing, science fiction, and general nerdery.
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Joshua Foer
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Joshua Foer has written for National Geographic, Esquire, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Slate.
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2,318 global ratings

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Customers find the book easy to read and enjoyable. They appreciate the interesting content and wonderful things about our world. The book is a great gift for travelers and offers travel ideas. Readers like the large, bright images and nice presentation.

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63 customers mention "Readability"63 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and enjoyable. They say it's a great set for families, with interesting content that can be picked up and read anywhere.

"...There are truly some wild things to discover. Nice coffee table kind of book to have laying around and pick up every now and again to read a bit...." Read more

"...Obscura" not so much. But a worthy purchase." Read more

"...Round out your worldly knowledge or just enjoy great bathroom reading." Read more

"Great set!" Read more

40 customers mention "Content"40 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's content interesting and full of useful information about the world. They enjoy reading the stories and facts, finding it a great resource for travel inspiration.

"...The book is organized by geographical region so it’s nice to look up some place you might be headed. There are truly some wild things to discover...." Read more

"Wonderful collection of obscure facts of the world, focusing on unusual geography, civilizations, cultures, buildings, events and more...." Read more

"...The Second Edition has more than 100 new places, as well as a spectacular map and guides to the hidden wonders in a dozen cities...." Read more

"...The world is a far stranger and more wonderful place than I ever realized! You will love reading the Atlas Obscura!" Read more

23 customers mention "Gift value"23 positive0 negative

Customers find the book a good gift for travelers. It provides useful travel ideas, especially during pandemics.

"This is a perfect gift for anyone who loves to travel...." Read more

"...Pictures are beautiful and text. It’s an amazing present for anyone" Read more

"...who loves to explore the unusual, interesting and cool, this is a perfect gift...." Read more

"...Great for ideas when planning long or short trips. A must have for any frequent traveler" Read more

11 customers mention "Pictures quality"11 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's photos. They find the images stunning, bright, and well-presented.

"...book, this Second Edition is filled with incredible stories and stunning photos of some of the world's most remarkable places: the Boiling River,..." Read more

"...Pictures are beautiful and text. It’s an amazing present for anyone" Read more

"I read two pages per day early in the morning. Look forward the brilliant pics and cool ideas of where to explore next....places I would never have..." Read more

"...It's so full of great pictures and interesting facts, it's a great addition to anyone's library." Read more

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Jess
So many cool things
Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2025
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So many cool things to read about. The book is organized by geographical region so it’s nice to look up some place you might be headed. There are truly some wild things to discover. Nice coffee table kind of book to have laying around and pick up every now and again to read a bit. Some things you read stay with you and you’re like really!?!

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CMOT TMPV
Wholly Entertaining
Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2024
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Sometimes you need a book like this. I read it and kept count of the number of them I'd actually been to. Some of the entries I wondered by they were in here. "Obscura" not so much. But a worthy purchase.

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BBCReview
Great Reader
Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2024
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Wonderful collection of obscure facts of the world, focusing on unusual geography, civilizations, cultures, buildings, events and more. Round out your worldly knowledge or just enjoy great bathroom reading.

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Thaud
Great for the niche traveller
Reviewed in the United States on October 12, 2024
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Great set!

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Superior.Shores
Well Done
Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2024
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I think my only negative comment is the length of the book. somewhere in the United States section, I had had enough. The pictures helped break the almost repetitive nature of the books content.
Each segment was interesting but weird at times. It was interesting to see what the world is like from another’s perspective.

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David Plotz
A perfect gift for a traveler
Reviewed in the United States on October 17, 2019
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This is a perfect gift for anyone who loves to travel. Like the original, best-selling Atlas Obscura book, this Second Edition is filled with incredible stories and stunning photos of some of the world's most remarkable places: the Boiling River, the Irish Sky Garden, the Harp Space gun, Skeleton Lake, New Zealand's glowworm caves....Every page is a marvel. The Second Edition has more than 100 new places, as well as a spectacular map and guides to the hidden wonders in a dozen cities. I work for Atlas Obscura, so I am biased, but I promise that the book is marvelous, literally filled with marvels.

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30 people found this helpful

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TedM
Fascinating!
Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2023
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A must read! Dozens of places I never knew existed, and this book is a revealing guide to them. The world is a far stranger and more wonderful place than I ever realized! You will love reading the Atlas Obscura!

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4 people found this helpful

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F.P.
Great International book.
Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2024
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Found interesting things to see around the world.

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Claire
Fascinating book
Reviewed in Canada on June 26, 2024
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Perfect gift for a trival or history buff. Well reseached with lots of photos, and easy to consult.

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Amazon Customer
Really pleased to read detail
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 17, 2024
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Very interesting enjoying to study

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LFCV
Extremely Limited
Reviewed in Spain on January 25, 2022
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This is a book for tourists with a limited culture, not for travellers.
Not Great. If you have some insight and maturity, you will be better off on your own.

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M. P. BRUNO
Wonderful.
Reviewed in France on November 6, 2021
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Un livre esthétiquement superbe et un contenu fascinant. L'édition en anglais est largement mieux que l'édition fr.

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Davide
Fantastico
Reviewed in Italy on January 10, 2021
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Articolo stupendo e super consigliato per i veri amanti dei viaggi

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Atlas Obscura, 2nd Edition: An Explorer's Guide to the World's Hidden Wonders Hardcover – Illustrated, October 15, 2019

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