You could not have found a subject area better for my interests than this one -- any kind of urban archeology fascinates me. I would not have tagged Atlanta as being the kind of place that would be teeming with this kind of history, but given a little thought, you can understand that a city that has had to rebuild itself as often as Atlanta would be exactly that place.

The photography in this book is gorgeous and could stand on its own as a photography book or a gallery show. The photographer has a keen eye for light and composition that lifts the book up several levels.

A fascinating journey through the founding of Atlanta and the influence of the railways on the city. Illustrated with high quality photographs that make you want to go and explore for yourself to see what else you can find. A travelogue and history of the city all in one, the author has an easy writing style that makes this a book that you will want to pick up and read again and again.

I work as a research librarian in the Metro-Atlanta area and I love getting new questions about the history of the region. I have also been to Underground Atlanta many years ago as a kid when my dad took me on a tour of the shops that were still open down there. This is a wonderful collection of stories about the area around the Gulch and how the modern urban area formed around it. It’s impossible to go into Atlanta without seeing a MARTA train or the CSX cars rumbling up and down the tracks. The author did extensive research on this and includes a marvelous bibliography for the included facts and photos. I have already considered recommending this book for our Atlanta history collection.

The concept for this book could be interesting for a fan of historical subjects, or an Atlanta native, but I wasn't very convinced by the execution. I appreciate the effort that went into the historical research and like the archival maps and photographs, but was truly underwhelmed by the modern photographs. I found this dissonance distracting.

As a 25 year resident of Atlanta, I wanted to live this volume. But, it was just ok. The photographs, especially in the beginning, didn’t relate to what the chapters were discussing. And the narrative was full of directionals and landmarks that even as a Long term Intown resident, I had difficulty following. Some interesting stories here and there but the whole didn’t quite deliver what the blurb promised.

This ended up being different than what I though. Not worse or better. Just not what I’d thought. It’s interesting and more than anything is a beautiful photographic history of Atlanta.

I enjoyed this book, for numerous reasons. I am from Georgia and reading this book about the city I love was so interesting! I was able to read about areas that I have visited , but what really was fun for me was reading about the trains and the way it played a part in Atlanta and her history. My dad worked for one of those railroads from the time he was 17 until he retired, so being able to read a more in depth history about the railroads made me feel a little closer to him. Thank you for writing such an interesting and knowledgeable book. I learned a lot and am grateful!




I received this book from Netgalley for my honest review.

Great historical photo book. Atlanta has really been reviving some older parts of the city with the Beltline path. It is great the read and see the history behind some of those revamped places. Nice architectural shots.

Being a native Georgian, this book really intrigued me. Most residents of the state, eventually spend some time in Atlanta. Each time I am there, it is always an adventure. One of the reason it is so adventurous is the streets that go in so many directions. I had no idea it was because of the railroads being the original reason for the city's existence. This book uses photos, maps, and text to tell the story of Atlanta in relation to the railroad systems of the past and how they still influence the city today. This is a great book for Southern or train history buffs.

Beautiful and haunting black & white photographs show the history of Atlanta beneath its modern streets in Atlanta Underground.

Atlanta began as a meeting of three major railways in an obscure spot in the South. Jobs created by those railroads brought people. But the rail lines also brought Sherman to Atlanta to destroy it. After the Civil War, Atlanta was quickly rebuilt into a bustling hub of commerce that also focused on railroads to prosper.

All I know of Atlanta is in the movie Gone With the Wind. Atlanta Underground shows me that world abandoned and built over by the progress of the modern day city of Atlanta.

At once both a history and an urban archaeology, this book connects modern day Atlanta to its past by revealing still existing ruins of its railroading history. It is recommended to Atlanta residents and visitors as well as railroad enthusiasts. 4 stars!

Thanks to Globe Pequot, Rowman & Littlefield and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.