Hot Springs: Photos and Stories of How the World Soaks, Swims, and Slows Down

by Greta Rybus

Immerse yourself in hot springs from around the world in this stunning visual adventure that features photographs and stories of the unique topographies, regional uses, and cultural meanings of thermal baths.

This book transports you to high mountains, remote islands, vast deserts, and the Arctic to soak in the ethereal beauty of natural hot springs. From sacred sites in India to municipal pools in Iceland and beyond, photojournalist Greta Rybus has traveled the world to document the warm, wild gathering places that have comforted the weary and adventurous for centuries.

Each spring is unique, a reflection of not just its physical location but of the people who care for and enjoy it. Hot Springs guides you through breathtaking landscapes and offers intriguing insights on historical significance, proper etiquette, and the roles these springs have in their communities. You'll hear from bathers in Hungary and Japan about how hot baths are a consistent part of their wellness and social routines. You’ll learn about a repatriated hot spring in South Africa and explore the power of communal ownership for locals in Alaska, Greenland, and Mexico. You’ll read about a pool that Antony reportedly gave to Cleopatra and hot springs in Iceland still connected to an outlaw past.

Greta's breathtaking photography transports you to more than two dozen worldwide locations while introducing you to the interconnected communities surrounding them. Hot Springs is your invitation to revel in the healing powers of water and its ability to connect us to ourselves, others, and the planet.

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel, Art

240 pages, Hardcover

Published March 19, 2024

Reviews

[Christie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I had been the one to write this book!!! It spoke to me on a deep personal level. The photos are atmospheric, beautiful, and artful in a way that absolutely elevates the corresponding text. The author's voice was authentic, humble, and friendly...the writing enjoyable, immersive, and breeze to read. I recommend this book to the general reader, as well as anyone who loves hot springs/bathing/travel! I will likely revisit this book in future. LOVED it!

[Julie Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful photographs and storytelling! I love Greta’s photography in other publications, which drew me to purchase the book, and was delighted by the way the reader is drawn into the springs for a short while with each place and chapter. The reverence for the subject - its culture, community, history, people, environment, architecture - left me with a great appreciation for hot springs, something I didn’t know much about. Its stories also made me reflect on the philosophies of those spaces and how it relates to the places I hold dear. Go spend some time in the warmth of the pages of Hot Springs.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely photos of hot springs in various gorgeous locales. The organization of the book seems arbitrary, with Iceland, the Azores and Japan popping up several times under wishy-washy headings like "Community" and "Healing". A straightforward geographical organization might have been better and I would have liked to see captions or legends for the images.

The accompanying essays seem to follow the pattern of "let me tell you how I visited this place/what I think about it" followed by a little history, followed by some snippets of interviews with either experts (archeologists, historians, geologists) or locals.

So, all in all : a book to look at, rather than to read.

[Annie Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

HOT SPRINGS by Greta Rybus is fabulous. Greta’s ability in the ‘Art’ of Capturing a Photo moment is complimented by her ability to weave a written story describing the experience. She has peaked my interest and I hope to travel and experience many of these beautiful areas.

Hot Springs is definitely a wonderful book. I have placed it on my coffee table so my family and friends can peruse the various Springs in America, and around the world.

I highly recommend this book. Greta Rybus is definitely a wonderful and note worthy photojournalist.

Enjoy the Moments☘️

[Manar Talab · Rating 5 out of 5]

The only thing better than the storytelling in this book was the stunning photography. I love hot water, don’t get me wrong, but I never expected to enjoy a book about hot water as much as I did. It was an exploration of different landscapes, cultures, and traditions of soaking across the world. I enjoyed it so much, the authors voice and description made me feel like I was right there with her. I want to refer to this book for future travel purposes because I definitely want to experience it all.

[tatum · Rating 5 out of 5]

“It was a strange feeling to walk on the same floor tiles as stately citizens from an ancient city. Everything I did suddenly felt unreasonable and uncouth, like the squeaking sounds of my sandals and the silly song I had stuck in my head. I thought of them; their search for healing and pleasure was the same as mine. They sought relief, excitement, love, clarity. We’d arrived at the same place.” (115)

read this in little bites almost every morning, and it left me renewed and contemplative each time. absolutely incredible.

[Mitchell Friedman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a great book. And not really a good intro into Hot Springs. More like an intro of why you might want to go to Hot springs or learn more about them. Beautiful photos. This is more like one person talking about a thing they love and what it means to them. So rather than being organized by region or commercial versus natural, it is organized around Adventure, Community, Story, Healing and Spirit. But this book may lead someone to write another one. And another. 3.5 of 5

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this beautiful book at a hipster menswear store. It's full of striking photography, and intriguing writeups about various hot springs throughout the world. A few of them are fairly well known, while others are definitely off the beaten path. I truly love a good hot tub and would be interested in some of the tamer experiences. In particular, could see myself enjoying the hot springs in the Italian Alps.

[Alyson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous photos for any hot spring lover. I would visit them all if I could.

Favorite quote:
"To love such a landscape requires an intimacy with discomfort; to remain acquainted with the elements, hunger, and fear."

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a remarkably beautiful book!

[Kyle Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful photos and incredibly thoughtful text

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wow of a book, both for photography and for thematic explorations. Beautiful and powerful.

[La Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting stories. Lovely photos.

[Zoë]

♨️🤤

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Makes you want to pack a bag & head to wherever these hot springs are. Wonder about the odor but oh my to the photos & stories of care of the people who keep these places pristine.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book reads as one hopes to feel soaking in a hot spring.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderfully atmospheric - the content is immersive and inspirational, the photography and design beautiful.