Breaking History: Lost America: Vanished Civilizations, Abandoned Towns, and Roadside Attractions

by Don Rauf

Breaking History books offer a front row seat to history as it broke (like "breaking news") and give the blow-by-blow of historical discovery--what we learned, when we learned it, who made the discovery, and how. Lost America is an illustrated look at fascinating places in the United States that have existed only in myth and have never been found, those that were abandoned and why, and those that were lost to social upheaval or natural disaster. The book reviews the history behind these places--how they began, how long they endured, why they were lost, and how many have been rediscovered. Included are accounts of the mysterious disappearance of the Anasazi from the Southwest, the abandonment of the Roanoke Colony in 1590, the environmental disaster that caused the population of Centralia, Pennsylvania to evacuate the town in the 1980s, and the nearly-intact ghost town of Bodie, California. The book also includes places that were thought to exist, but did not--or not yet, legendary Norse settlements, lost cities of gold, and The Fountain of Youth.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, American History

240 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 15, 2019

Reviews

[Annie Garvey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to get used to this book design. I think it mimics a tabloid. Sometimes I thought a topic was finished, however, it wasn't.

[Darius Ostrowski · Rating 2 out of 5]

I knew these were small snapshots, but it still really was less informative than I thought it would be. And the format, tabloid paper-style, was annoying. HEADLINE: STOP WRITING LIKE THIS!

It definitely mimics (and helps explain) the decline in quality of the History Channel.

[Jo-jean Keller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting quick snapshot, well-illustrated stories that you may or may not have heard before.

[Jenn Barthel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice view at some of the towns and civilizations that no longer exist and why.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun and informative look at places in America that have literally or figuratively been wiped off the map. But sadly, an all too brief book, I was left wanting more information.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading this book of histories of vanished civilizations. such as Cahokia Mounds, abandoned cities, such as Love Canal and Roadside attractions, such as Route 66.