Soviet Ghosts: The Soviet Union Abandoned: A Communist Empire in Decay Hardcover – 1 July 2014

The locations in this book are amazing - huge pieces of brutalist architectural history, slowly decaying despite their incredibly solid construction. The condition these places are in now just highlights how impressive they must have been at their peak.On top of that, the photography is absolutely excellent - Rebecca clearly has both a fantastic eye for selecting and framing a shot, and also the technical skills to get that shot from her mind, through her lens, and onto the page for you to admire. Not to mention the audacity to visit some locations that most of us wouldn't go anywhere near - whether that's because of the danger inherent in the decaying building/monument/etc, or the more dramatic danger of locations guarded by armed police or even Soviet military forces!If you're at all interested in the Soviet Union, in urban exploration photography, or in finding beauty in unexpected places, then you should buy this book. Even at full price, it's ridiculously cheap for what it contains.

I have a few photographic books on the subject of abandoned places such as the Beauty in Decay series, this book differs by adding a more background to the images, however at times it reads a little like cut and paste from other sources rather than anything sincere from the author, the tales derring-do at the start also give you an impression that this is more a vanity project for the author rather than anything of substance, having said that I do admire anyone willing to travel to these forgotten corners of our world and the risks this entails to record these images.I have a keen interest in the Cold War and former Soviet Union so it was intriguing to see some of these places in their now ruinous state, there are some lovely stand out images but it has to be said there also seems to be a fair amount of filler too.The book has mainly photographic theme rather than a complete factual record of the Soviet era, the text is informative if a little sparse so the book will probably suit those more interested in photography, rather than anyone wanting an in depth look into the former Soviet Union. Overall a decent book to flick through occasionally but nothing special.

Good photos with minimal description (Didn't like it. The descriptions are at the end of the book. Not the best idea). The best part of the book is some insight to the URSS days in several areas: from culture, to the space run with N. America, Nuclear Disasters, Gulags, etc. Short information but condenses it very well.

A fantastic and intriguing book with some hauntingly impressive images. This will definitely be a well thumbed book in my household! I have always had a strange and morbid fascination with imagery verging on the post apocalyptic and this tells a very powerful story of a fallen superpower. It has the feeling of finally peeking behind the Iron Curtain! I have been involved in some Urban Exploration myself (I have visited some amazing places such as Cardross Seminary in Scotland) and would certainly recommend this book to anyone who has similar interests. As mentioned in another review it is very good value for money, why have you not bought one already!?!

I pre-ordered this in March and it arrived a few days ago. It was worth the wait.Having followed Rebecca Litchfield on social media for some time, I have been fascinated by her work, expecially the Urbex aspect. I am easily old enough to remember the days of the Soviet Union and its secrecy, so to have the remnants presented like this is quite poignant. I think Litchfield has captured the subject matter beautifully and with a serene respect, taking photos but leaving no traces. I will enjoy leafing through this as a work of art in its own right, and also giving me some inspiration for my own photography.

I preordered this book, and it finally arrived yesterday - it was so worth the wait! It is, quite simply, the best photography book that I've seen for anyone interested in Urban Exploration (Urbex), the beauty in decayed and abandoned objects and architecture, soviet history and the fall of the eastern bloc, or just great stories accompanied by unusual and beautiful photos from places most of us will never be lucky (or intrepid) enough to witness first-hand. At this price it's an absolute bargain - don't think twice, order yours today, you'll be glad you did!

It's a nice book, but I felt some of the photos were more interesting for their depictions of decay rather than because they represented something distinctly soviet. I think more could have been made of the iconic soviet buildings- for instance it was difficult to get a sense of scale of the Buzludzha monument. Still it's a good book, and I'm happy to feel I've supported the photograph in her pursuits, in what sounded like quite a difficult book to make.

Saw this reviewed in a newspaper and have found it thoroughly absorbing. some fantastic images.