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America the Abandoned: Captivating Portraits of Deserted Homes
Peer into the mysterious world of abandoned homes across the United States with this fascinating photography book—a visual exploration of what makes up a life, and what we leave in our wake.
Photographer Bryan Sansivero has been uncovering abandoned homes for more than a decade, traveling across the country to capture them on film before they crumble completely, never sure of what he might find. Sansivero documents the inhabitants’ everyday living rooms, kitchens, and bedrooms just as he found them, showcasing their unique furniture, clothing, books, appliances, toys, artwork, and other personal items, which often appear as if the owners were just there a moment ago. The stories of the former tenants remain mostly unknown, but the images are haunting time capsules, and a reminder that everything we own is temporary, and eventually will be left behind or forgotten.
There is an element of mystery and eeriness that this imagery evokes. In addition to those who are entranced by beautiful coffee table books, America the Abandoned will entice those who love horror films and books—from Stranger Things to The Shining.
Photographer Bryan Sansivero has been uncovering abandoned homes for more than a decade, traveling across the country to capture them on film before they crumble completely, never sure of what he might find. Sansivero documents the inhabitants’ everyday living rooms, kitchens, and bedrooms just as he found them, showcasing their unique furniture, clothing, books, appliances, toys, artwork, and other personal items, which often appear as if the owners were just there a moment ago. The stories of the former tenants remain mostly unknown, but the images are haunting time capsules, and a reminder that everything we own is temporary, and eventually will be left behind or forgotten.
There is an element of mystery and eeriness that this imagery evokes. In addition to those who are entranced by beautiful coffee table books, America the Abandoned will entice those who love horror films and books—from Stranger Things to The Shining.
223 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 14, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
October 7, 2025
Oh boy—if you like old houses, this is 100% a book for you. I've been following Sansivero on Instagram for ages, because I'm drawn to images of decay, and that decay is exactly what he documents. And this book, it's a gem: bird nests on mantelpieces, and layers of peeling paint, and mannequins popping up in unexpected places, and houses full to the brim with items that haven't been used since the 1950s, and on it goes.
The book is split between interior and exterior shots, with the former taking up almost the first three quarters of the book. I thought I would like the exterior shots more, but the deeper into the book I got the more the interior photos pulled me in. There's a short line under each photo—sometimes a little bit of context about the person who lived there (either hard-and-fast information or supposition based on the contents of the house), and sometimes a little bit about what Sansivero saw in the shot.
My favourite shots tend to be the ones with mannequins in them (what can I say—I am a sucker for a good mannequin in an unexpected place), but there are also a couple of gorgeous shots of what must have once been a quite nice yellow entryway, and in general a mix of delicacy and decay is always striking. (Many descriptions reference a given house as being one of Sansivero's favourite places to photograph—probably a few too many! But it made me smile to think how much this must be a passion project, if one he's hopefully turning a profit on.) It also surprised me how old so much of this abandonment clearly is. Maybe that's silly, but I guess it just boggles my mind that some of these places have sat abandoned for so many decades without being fully looted (I imagine some things have walked off, of course) and that nobody has claimed them or sold them or...something.
Most of the photos were taken on the East Coast, with a significant minority in the Midwest—I'm curious whether this means there might someday be a follow-up from points farther west.
If this sounds up your alley, I highly recommend it—but absolutely pick a format that allows you to see the pictures in colour and in a large size. (This is not a book to read on your Kindle Paperwhite!) And while you're at it, check out Christopher Payne's Asylum and Elizabeth and Ethan Finkelstein's Cheap Old Houses. And maybe Abandoned America...
Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.
The book is split between interior and exterior shots, with the former taking up almost the first three quarters of the book. I thought I would like the exterior shots more, but the deeper into the book I got the more the interior photos pulled me in. There's a short line under each photo—sometimes a little bit of context about the person who lived there (either hard-and-fast information or supposition based on the contents of the house), and sometimes a little bit about what Sansivero saw in the shot.
My favourite shots tend to be the ones with mannequins in them (what can I say—I am a sucker for a good mannequin in an unexpected place), but there are also a couple of gorgeous shots of what must have once been a quite nice yellow entryway, and in general a mix of delicacy and decay is always striking. (Many descriptions reference a given house as being one of Sansivero's favourite places to photograph—probably a few too many! But it made me smile to think how much this must be a passion project, if one he's hopefully turning a profit on.) It also surprised me how old so much of this abandonment clearly is. Maybe that's silly, but I guess it just boggles my mind that some of these places have sat abandoned for so many decades without being fully looted (I imagine some things have walked off, of course) and that nobody has claimed them or sold them or...something.
Most of the photos were taken on the East Coast, with a significant minority in the Midwest—I'm curious whether this means there might someday be a follow-up from points farther west.
If this sounds up your alley, I highly recommend it—but absolutely pick a format that allows you to see the pictures in colour and in a large size. (This is not a book to read on your Kindle Paperwhite!) And while you're at it, check out Christopher Payne's Asylum and Elizabeth and Ethan Finkelstein's Cheap Old Houses. And maybe Abandoned America...
Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.
June 9, 2025
I was thrilled to receive an ARC of America the Abandoned and dove in immediately. Bryan Sansivero is a phenomenal photographer with a rare talent for capturing more than just beautiful images—he preserves entire time capsules. Each photo feels like a moment frozen in time, a glimpse into lives long forgotten.
The interior shots especially struck me. The colors, the furniture—some of it surprisingly vivid—hint at stories once lived within those walls. It’s wild to think how much is simply left behind, untouched by time but slowly reclaimed by nature.
That said, it was the exterior images that lingered with me the most. These decaying homes, standing like hollowed-out monuments, made me wonder what the land and the people were like decades ago. There's a haunting beauty to it all—equal parts eerie and poetic.
I’d absolutely love to own a physical copy of this book when it's released. It’s the kind of work you want to return to again and again, always finding something new in the stillness.
The interior shots especially struck me. The colors, the furniture—some of it surprisingly vivid—hint at stories once lived within those walls. It’s wild to think how much is simply left behind, untouched by time but slowly reclaimed by nature.
That said, it was the exterior images that lingered with me the most. These decaying homes, standing like hollowed-out monuments, made me wonder what the land and the people were like decades ago. There's a haunting beauty to it all—equal parts eerie and poetic.
I’d absolutely love to own a physical copy of this book when it's released. It’s the kind of work you want to return to again and again, always finding something new in the stillness.
November 22, 2025
Sad to see so much stuff that could be saved left to rot until nothing is left.
January 7, 2026
This book was such a tease...The pictures are fascinating, but the captions give you the bare minimum. Just enough hints to not know any context. it was frustrating.
August 5, 2025
I have always found urbex photography to be fascinating. I find it to be haunting and yet still beautiful. The photographs in this collection are absolutely gorgeous. I have never been brave enough to enter an abandoned place, but any time I pass one...I find myself wondering what secrets are hiding just beyond the walls.
I loved that each photo is named and has a brief description of what you are seeing and/or what the author of this book experienced there.
I received a copy in exchange for my honest review.
I loved that each photo is named and has a brief description of what you are seeing and/or what the author of this book experienced there.
I received a copy in exchange for my honest review.
August 5, 2025
I have always found urbex photography to be fascinating. I find it to be haunting and yet still beautiful. The photographs in this collection are absolutely gorgeous. I have never been brave enough to enter an abandoned place, but any time I pass one...I find myself wondering what secrets are hiding just beyond the walls.
I loved that each photo is named and has a brief description of what you are seeing and/or what the author of this book experienced there.
I received a copy in exchange for my honest review.
I loved that each photo is named and has a brief description of what you are seeing and/or what the author of this book experienced there.
I received a copy in exchange for my honest review.
January 16, 2026
The premise of this book sounded promising: Artist explores deserted (& strangely still-filled-with-junk) houses. He then photographs them and their contents using vintage film and cameras. I was hoping for context of what I was viewing. Instead I got a bunch of clearly staged photos of the domestic interiors (which oddly started to blend together in their sameness) followed by exterior shots of those houses. The latter were far more interesting.
Disappointing missed opportunity.
Disappointing missed opportunity.
January 4, 2026
Excellent photography of such a sad look at waste and ruin in some of the oldest houses in eastern America. I would love to know the stories behind why they were abandoned with so many amazing antiques and everyday objects that must have been left in a hurry, because of something traumatic or catastrophic. This book led me to the authors Instagram page with more excellent pictures and videos.
December 31, 2025
This book was fascinating and also unsatisfying. Sansivero takes us inside abandoned homes across sections of America, many of them remarkably still full of personal belongings: furniture, photographs, dishes, suitcases, toys. Which brought up so many questions that never got answered: How were these homes not looted? How did he find so many of them? What were the backstories of the people who abandoned these places and how/why were all of these items (entire housefuls) left behind? Did the surrounding communities know about these people and these homes? I also would've loved photos of the exteriors.
November 22, 2025
Beautiful, sad.
January 27, 2026
This is a picture book of photographs of the insides of abandoned houses in the US.
Haunting. Erie. Bryan Sansevero treats these places with care and respect, often mentioning that these were places inhabited by people who loved and were loved, with belongings that brought them memories of people and places that were also loved.
Haunting. Erie. Bryan Sansevero treats these places with care and respect, often mentioning that these were places inhabited by people who loved and were loved, with belongings that brought them memories of people and places that were also loved.
January 21, 2026
A beautiful book on abandoned homes. Of what it once was, what it is.
Colorful and poignant, I thought this book was beautiful.
I would have liked the author to delve into a bit more history of some of these buildings.
Colorful and poignant, I thought this book was beautiful.
I would have liked the author to delve into a bit more history of some of these buildings.
January 21, 2026
Paging Ethel Cain
October 25, 2025
I love all things old, antique, abandoned… there is so much character exploring things and places that have such an unknown and mysterious history. This book was right up my alley. Gorgeous photography. This is the perfect coffee table book as well. So proud of my friend Bryan for this book, I know he worked really hard on it.
October 25, 2025
This is such an amazing collection of old, abandoned houses. Growing up, we had this abandoned castle near us that an artist started to build for his wife. This book took me back to exploring that old castle in my childhood. An amazing (and kinda spooky) way to see what was left in the past.
September 20, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to browse through this book before its publication.
I've always been fascinated by abandoned houses—their soul, their silent stories. I truly believe every house has a soul, shaped by the people who once lived there, who made it unique and full of life.
I absolutely loved the photographs in this book, both the exterior and interior shots. However, if I’m being honest, I found the exteriors more evocative and less melancholic. From the outside, it’s just a house—but it's once you step inside that it becomes a home. And that's where the real emotional weight hits.
There’s something deeply moving about seeing rooms filled with forgotten objects, especially children’s toys, stuffed animals, or tiny bedrooms. It always makes me wonder: why were these places abandoned? Why were all those personal belongings left behind? Everything feels frozen in time, and it inevitably leads to reflections on time, loss, and the passage of life.
I truly adored this book. That said, my curiosity wished for a bit more background information on each house. I would have loved to learn more about their individual histories and what led them to be left behind in such a haunting way.
I've always been fascinated by abandoned houses—their soul, their silent stories. I truly believe every house has a soul, shaped by the people who once lived there, who made it unique and full of life.
I absolutely loved the photographs in this book, both the exterior and interior shots. However, if I’m being honest, I found the exteriors more evocative and less melancholic. From the outside, it’s just a house—but it's once you step inside that it becomes a home. And that's where the real emotional weight hits.
There’s something deeply moving about seeing rooms filled with forgotten objects, especially children’s toys, stuffed animals, or tiny bedrooms. It always makes me wonder: why were these places abandoned? Why were all those personal belongings left behind? Everything feels frozen in time, and it inevitably leads to reflections on time, loss, and the passage of life.
I truly adored this book. That said, my curiosity wished for a bit more background information on each house. I would have loved to learn more about their individual histories and what led them to be left behind in such a haunting way.
August 15, 2025
America the Abandoned: Captivating Portraits of Deserted Homes is for any Urban Explorer, or anyone in general who has seen a abandoned house on the side of a road and wondered what it looks like inside.
Bryan Sansivero is a photographer who has been photographing abandoned homes for more than a decade. Bryan documents the spaces just as he finds them, and notes when he thinks someone who came before him has set something up for a photo opportunity.
The first half of this book explores some of the insides of the abandoned buildings. The second half photographs the outside of some of these buildings. I really like how Bryan noted where each one of these buildings were found, and little notes about each one.
Thank you Bryan for working with NetGalley. I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion and review.
You can add this great addition to your coffee table on October 14th 2025
Bryan Sansivero is a photographer who has been photographing abandoned homes for more than a decade. Bryan documents the spaces just as he finds them, and notes when he thinks someone who came before him has set something up for a photo opportunity.
The first half of this book explores some of the insides of the abandoned buildings. The second half photographs the outside of some of these buildings. I really like how Bryan noted where each one of these buildings were found, and little notes about each one.
Thank you Bryan for working with NetGalley. I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion and review.
You can add this great addition to your coffee table on October 14th 2025
September 6, 2025
There’s a beautiful, lingering feeling of melancholy when experiencing America the Abandoned by Bryan Sansivero for the first time.
Unsettling at its finest, this collection masterfully delivers a hauntingly vivid portrayal of a dystopian future where isolation and decay dominate the landscape. Sansivero’s atmospheric narrative and imaginative prose draw readers hypnotically into a chilling meditation on society’s fragility, as well as the ghosts of the past lurking beneath the surface of progress.
Each story resonates with emotional weight and stark realism, making this work not only compelling but also profoundly unforgettable.
Unsettling at its finest, this collection masterfully delivers a hauntingly vivid portrayal of a dystopian future where isolation and decay dominate the landscape. Sansivero’s atmospheric narrative and imaginative prose draw readers hypnotically into a chilling meditation on society’s fragility, as well as the ghosts of the past lurking beneath the surface of progress.
Each story resonates with emotional weight and stark realism, making this work not only compelling but also profoundly unforgettable.
December 21, 2025
The photographs are amazing and evoke, emotional responses and questions. It makes me wonder things like why was this house abandoned at this specific moment in time, with toys laid out that someone was obviously playing with or dishes in the draining rack. It can be very sad to see some of these pictures and wonder what was going on at that point in time. I was a little bit disappointed though because I was hoping for more story behind the houses the author hinted at knowing more about some of the houses, but never expanded which I would’ve found very fascinating and would’ve given more context to the pictures.
July 29, 2025
Beautiful and evocative photography. Bryan Sansivero’s portraits of deserted homes range from the hauntingly ethereal to the strangely unsettling, with each one telling a silent story.
As someone who has always loved Victorian houses and used to explore abandoned buildings, every page resonated with me. The images perfectly capture the melancholic beauty and forgotten histories of these incredible spaces.
A thought-provoking window into times past, captured through the lens of a camera.
As someone who has always loved Victorian houses and used to explore abandoned buildings, every page resonated with me. The images perfectly capture the melancholic beauty and forgotten histories of these incredible spaces.
A thought-provoking window into times past, captured through the lens of a camera.
August 1, 2025
A lovely book of portraits of abandoned homes among the East Coast (mainly New England), "America the Abandoned" is a beautiful book that's nostalgic, whimsical, familiar and comforting. A much needed glimpse of the past and to simpler times, it's a must buy for lovers of photography and Americana.
**Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.**
**Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.**
November 20, 2025
I’m torn on whether I want to rate this 3 or 4 stars. It’s a photography book that focuses on abandoned houses. Which I find fascinating! They always made me wonder what happened for the inhabitants to leave everything behind. And it’s super interesting to see what was left behind. The photographer’s comments made the book more appealing. Overall, this was fun to thumb through!
November 30, 2025
Beautiful antiques abandoned. I guess sometimes it is just easier to walk away and let nature reclaim it all. Author tries to make the photos not seem creepy and sad, but failed.
September 8, 2025
Publishing date: 14.10.2025 (DD/MM/YYYY)
Thank you to NetGalley and Artisan Books for the ARC. My opinions are my own.
There is something about abandoned places which I just love. The stories and lives left behind. The people who have lived and loved there. I just love it all. This book was right up my alley and I requested it as soon as I got the chance. I am so happy to report that this was exactly the read I wanted at this point too.
What you get:
- Pics of abandoned homes both inside and outside, some homes featured more than once
- A little suspicion of what, who, and how people lived there
- Beautifully framed photographs
- Peeling paint, crumbling walls, scattered objects, musty fabrics, dusty furniture
This book is a great showcase, and an example of a different way to preserve something. I would recommend this to anyone who feels a little more sentimental than others. Someone who loved old crumbled places, who enjoys piecing together a story from objects left behind.
Giving this the full 5 stars. I got everything I wanted, and I think you might too. Will be buying a physical copy to keep on my shelf. Highly recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley and Artisan Books for the ARC. My opinions are my own.
There is something about abandoned places which I just love. The stories and lives left behind. The people who have lived and loved there. I just love it all. This book was right up my alley and I requested it as soon as I got the chance. I am so happy to report that this was exactly the read I wanted at this point too.
What you get:
- Pics of abandoned homes both inside and outside, some homes featured more than once
- A little suspicion of what, who, and how people lived there
- Beautifully framed photographs
- Peeling paint, crumbling walls, scattered objects, musty fabrics, dusty furniture
This book is a great showcase, and an example of a different way to preserve something. I would recommend this to anyone who feels a little more sentimental than others. Someone who loved old crumbled places, who enjoys piecing together a story from objects left behind.
Giving this the full 5 stars. I got everything I wanted, and I think you might too. Will be buying a physical copy to keep on my shelf. Highly recommend.
September 23, 2025
Review of America the Abandoned: Captivating Portraits of Deserted Homes by Bryan Sansivero 5*
This book fascinated me so much that I couldn't put it down until I finished it; what's more, I haven't been able to stop thinking about it! The topic is unusual and immediately drew my attention. Sansivero's photography is amazing, and his brief descriptions of each photograph/home added so much to my enjoyment of this book.
No one knows when or why these homes were abandoned. While time has taken its toll on all of them, some look long forgotten, others look as if the owner/family left in the middle of a normal day and never returned. That's probably one of the things that captivated me so much, I couldn't help but wonder about the residents, and what happened to make them abandon their home.
I love everything about this book, and I will read it again. I highly recommend it!
Kudos to Bryan Sansivero for sharing his skills and passion which brought the book to life. My thanks to Artisan Books for permitting me to access a DRC of this book via NetGalley. Publication is 10/14/25. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own and are freely given.
This book fascinated me so much that I couldn't put it down until I finished it; what's more, I haven't been able to stop thinking about it! The topic is unusual and immediately drew my attention. Sansivero's photography is amazing, and his brief descriptions of each photograph/home added so much to my enjoyment of this book.
No one knows when or why these homes were abandoned. While time has taken its toll on all of them, some look long forgotten, others look as if the owner/family left in the middle of a normal day and never returned. That's probably one of the things that captivated me so much, I couldn't help but wonder about the residents, and what happened to make them abandon their home.
I love everything about this book, and I will read it again. I highly recommend it!
Kudos to Bryan Sansivero for sharing his skills and passion which brought the book to life. My thanks to Artisan Books for permitting me to access a DRC of this book via NetGalley. Publication is 10/14/25. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own and are freely given.
November 13, 2025
This book caught my eye somewhere and I ended up buying it. I've always been interested in abandoned homes and the photographs in the book are beautiful. I would have liked to have more information on each home (owners, history, etc) but it's hard to tell how available this is. My one quibble is the author had quite a few photos of interiors. Normally, you don't see many photos of the interior of abandoned homes because going inside is risky and may also be illegal. Besides, they are usually emptied of belongings, either by owners or vandals.
Quite a few of the interiors shown in this book have furniture and other belongings. Somehow this seems intrusive and rather creepy. And there are a number of the photos that are obviously contrived. Several times the author mentioned that he thought photographers before him had made "arrangements" to enhance photos.
Nevertheless, it's a lovely book and I am enjoying it.
Quite a few of the interiors shown in this book have furniture and other belongings. Somehow this seems intrusive and rather creepy. And there are a number of the photos that are obviously contrived. Several times the author mentioned that he thought photographers before him had made "arrangements" to enhance photos.
Nevertheless, it's a lovely book and I am enjoying it.
January 27, 2026
This book frustrated the hell out of me. I just can’t believe anyone would ever be able to find so many abandoned houses, all with so much stuff (many priceless antiques) not looted. The author claims others may have staged the “decor” but he did not, yet so many of the stagings look the same. Random photos hung in the same weird way, vases of artificial flowers used in the same type of settings,etc., and if they weren’t staged how do some items have years of dust on them and other items, not a single speck? Also, many of the books in the bookcases are too new to be part of the other older decor.
The photographer is extremely talented and creative and the subject he chose is fascinating so I rated it a 3, but way more clarification on how he just finds so many houses this way is badly needed. It’s really more of a 2.
The photographer is extremely talented and creative and the subject he chose is fascinating so I rated it a 3, but way more clarification on how he just finds so many houses this way is badly needed. It’s really more of a 2.
June 5, 2025
Oh my god, WHAT a gorgeous book this is.
I'm a sucker for abandoned houses. Who lived there, what was their life like, why did they leave so much behind? A home once lived in and loved only to be laid bare to time and the elements is a bittersweet thought. Sansivero captures this very feeling with America the Abandoned. Mystery, nostalgia, wonder, sadness, and beauty are all conveyed through his vivid, stunning photographs of these deserted homes. Every single image was a time capsule, a story in itself.
(As a Virginian, I also really loved that we had so many homes represented in this collection!)
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I'm a sucker for abandoned houses. Who lived there, what was their life like, why did they leave so much behind? A home once lived in and loved only to be laid bare to time and the elements is a bittersweet thought. Sansivero captures this very feeling with America the Abandoned. Mystery, nostalgia, wonder, sadness, and beauty are all conveyed through his vivid, stunning photographs of these deserted homes. Every single image was a time capsule, a story in itself.
(As a Virginian, I also really loved that we had so many homes represented in this collection!)
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 18, 2025
A beautifully written, well composed collection of forgotten places and memories in America. Bryan captures haunting imagery of dwellings from different timelines, frozen forever yet touched by the elements and wrath of time. We are left to ponder why the homes were abandoned, what are the stories behind them, and why they would never return. In this way, he is memorializing the people, the loved ones, the memories of happier days that took place there. He continues to tell their stories through his photography, stories that may have been cut short. The homes and lives in America The Abandoned are forever immortalized through these thoughtful images.
February 10, 2026
Interesting topic and pictures, but the layout of the book does not make sense. Instead of grouping pictures together by house, the pictures jump from one house to another and then back. The captions would sometimes repeat themselves as a result, such as saying that a house belonged to a seamstress or was severely decaying. And while it was clear for some of the houses that the author knew who lived in it at one time, the book only makes vague references like "an artist" or "where a tragedy occurred" instead of saying who the individual was and providing more context. Overall feels like a book version of a social media account that posts pictures on a delay and in a circuitous fashion.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews