Lost America: The Abandoned Roadside West

by Troy Paiva

A stunningly photographed examination of the roadside icons that dot America's landscape. Lost America celebrates the boom-to-bust towns, aircraft bone yards, and filling stations of days past that were sacrificed at the altars of speed and technology and relegated to windswept desert plains and abandoned fields. The eye-catching and memorable photography is complemented with a succinct text history that details the rise and fall of each subject. The result is an impressive tour of an America still standing, yet largely forgotten.

Genres: Photography, Travel, Nonfiction

128 pages, Paperback

First published July 13, 2003

Reviews

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable photography book of abandoned roadside sites in the American West. Troy Paiva specializes in light painted night photography of buildings that had their heyday in the 1950's & 60's. The retro look is highlighted by the images that glow with green, blue & red lighting effects. He writes background essays for the four chapters, with the closed resorts of the Salton Sea area being my favorite. I do wish some of his images were not colorized, as I wish to look at them and make my own conclusions that are not interpreted by someone else. But his imagery is beautiful and unique and I would love to road trip down iconic Route 66 to see some of these locations.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read the whole book the day it arrived. Paiva's "light-painted" photos are so beautiful, each one a tribute; a note to the past from the future or vice versa. The accompanying text is just as passionate and greatly supports the photographs. Paiva has a wonderful ability to explain history and place without getting too mired in his own words or frivolous details. He is upfront and inspiring in his explanation of technique and method, no pretension or jargon. I only wish that that this was a large hardcover book instead of a small softcover.

[Mimi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Along with entertaining essays, this book contains stunning night time photographs of American icons that have been forgotten along the roadside of the west. Included in this book are forgotten gas stations, old motels, roadside diners, drive-in theaters and long abandoned vehicles. This is a haunting look at what happens as time marches on.

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been following Troy Paiva's night photography at lostamerica.com since 2001. All the photos in this book are available on his site (and many more are on Flickr), but it is nice to view them on physical pages.

[Tracy Rhodes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Troy Paiva's night photography of abandoned places is some of the most beautiful imagery I've ever seen.

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautifully done, but I really want to see these images in daylight too. I appreciate the artistry here but I think abandoned buildings, old signs, etc. are interesting enough on their own...

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this kind of book. The photos are fabulous, but it is also a history of our culture and obsessions.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice pics and clever narrative

[Teri Temme · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great photo's! Sad stories...

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous photos.

[JR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paiva is a true artist. His lighting and attention to detail is stunning.