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Go to Hell: A Traveler's Guide to Earth's Most Otherworldly Destinations
You can go to hell and back with the help of this one-of-a-kind illustrated travel guide to real-life underworld destinations around the globe. Full of intrigue, lore, and plenty of brimstone and fire, each of the 54 destinations—from Antarctica's Blood Falls to a tropical hell on Grand Cayman island—will be worth adding to your devilish bucket list.
The world over, humans have been fascinated by hell in some form or another for thousands of years and across cultures. Now, with this illustrated collection, you can add hell to your travel bucket list with more than 50 one-of-a-kind underworld destinations, from ghost towns where Halloween is always in season, to ancient caves long viewed as entrances to Hades, to volcanoes that brim with fire and legend.
Don’t be scared: along with the fascinating history of each location, star author Erika Engelhaupt also offers practical tips to make the most of your visit to the underbelly of the world. These hellish destinations include:
Ireland's “Hell Caves,” where Halloween was born
The Gates of Hell crater in Turkmenistan, burning for more than 50 years
Hell, Michigan, where you can serve as the mayor of Hell for a day
Turkey's Pluto’s Gate, an ancient Greco-Roman temple guarding a toxic cave
China's Fengdu City of Ghosts, where tourists pre-game the afterlife in a town devoted to the underworld
The Maya Cenotes throughout the Yucatan Peninsula, long considered portals to hell
And so many more!
Ever wish you could send a postcard from hell? Now you can.
The world over, humans have been fascinated by hell in some form or another for thousands of years and across cultures. Now, with this illustrated collection, you can add hell to your travel bucket list with more than 50 one-of-a-kind underworld destinations, from ghost towns where Halloween is always in season, to ancient caves long viewed as entrances to Hades, to volcanoes that brim with fire and legend.
Don’t be scared: along with the fascinating history of each location, star author Erika Engelhaupt also offers practical tips to make the most of your visit to the underbelly of the world. These hellish destinations include:
Ireland's “Hell Caves,” where Halloween was born
The Gates of Hell crater in Turkmenistan, burning for more than 50 years
Hell, Michigan, where you can serve as the mayor of Hell for a day
Turkey's Pluto’s Gate, an ancient Greco-Roman temple guarding a toxic cave
China's Fengdu City of Ghosts, where tourists pre-game the afterlife in a town devoted to the underworld
The Maya Cenotes throughout the Yucatan Peninsula, long considered portals to hell
And so many more!
Ever wish you could send a postcard from hell? Now you can.
288 pages, Hardcover
Published August 13, 2024
About the author
Erika Engelhaupt
3 books129 followersI'm a freelance science writer and former online science editor at National Geographic. My writing has appeared in magazines and newspapers including National Geographic, NPR, Scientific American, Popular Mechanics, Science News, the Philadelphia Inquirer, Boulder Daily Camera, and more.
I love talking with readers! Find me now on Skolay: skolay.com/writers/erika-engelhaupt
I love talking with readers! Find me now on Skolay: skolay.com/writers/erika-engelhaupt
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
April 17, 2024
ARC for review. To be published August 13, 2024.
A fun, illustrated travel guide from National Geographic to fifty-four “hellish” destinations around the world, places with some connection to some society’s vision of the underworld…places like Pluto’s Gate in Turkey, the town of Hell, Michigan, the “roadside attraction” Haw Pav Villa in Singapore and Fengdu Ghost City in China.
What a fun, delightful idea for a book! I would have loved to have been the researcher for this as she got to visit a number of these places. The photography is absolutely beautiful, as you would expect. Also, there’s a man named George Kourouris who is interviewed several times who is clearly an insane person - as far as I can tell his primary job may be to lower himself into lava holes and the like..
My only quibble, while I understand why the author organized the sites as she did it makes the book a little repetitive…all the volcanic sites are together, etc. It would have provided more variety for the reader had they been scattered throughout the book rather than being one after the other. I really liked the “Before You Go” section (which explains exactly how one gets to the location, what big cities are nearby, what permits are needed) and wish it had been included for all the attractions. This was well done!
A fun, illustrated travel guide from National Geographic to fifty-four “hellish” destinations around the world, places with some connection to some society’s vision of the underworld…places like Pluto’s Gate in Turkey, the town of Hell, Michigan, the “roadside attraction” Haw Pav Villa in Singapore and Fengdu Ghost City in China.
What a fun, delightful idea for a book! I would have loved to have been the researcher for this as she got to visit a number of these places. The photography is absolutely beautiful, as you would expect. Also, there’s a man named George Kourouris who is interviewed several times who is clearly an insane person - as far as I can tell his primary job may be to lower himself into lava holes and the like..
My only quibble, while I understand why the author organized the sites as she did it makes the book a little repetitive…all the volcanic sites are together, etc. It would have provided more variety for the reader had they been scattered throughout the book rather than being one after the other. I really liked the “Before You Go” section (which explains exactly how one gets to the location, what big cities are nearby, what permits are needed) and wish it had been included for all the attractions. This was well done!
June 17, 2024
It seems only fitting that the first travel book I'd read cover to cover is titled GO TO HELL. As a long time lover of all things devilish and macabre, I really enjoyed Erika Engelhaupt's book. There's a destination for everyone all over the globe, as well as a healthy mix of natural phenomena and man made attractions. This travel guide is perfect for anyone seeking a new adventure down a more hellish path.
Thanks to Penguin Random House and National Geographic for the ARC !!
Thanks to Penguin Random House and National Geographic for the ARC !!
July 26, 2024
I love coffee table books that you know people are going to actually pick up and read when they come over!
Go To Hell is witty and hilarious while simultaneously an incredibly informative book on "hellish places" detailing everything from mythological versions of hell, the hottest places on Earth, fabled gateways to hell in real life places, and the history behind various versions of hell in different cultures around the globe.
It was such a fun read and I was so happy to win this book in a Goodreads giveaway. Since I read an advance copy the photos were printed in black and white, shrunk down to fit a paperback size instead of the coffee table hardcover, and a few details (the map and index) were excluded, but based on what I received I can tell it's going to be gorgeous when it's all put together!
I just love when a book makes learning fun! Plus, my home state is mentioned and I've actually been to a few hellish places mentioned, like Yellowstone National Park and some of the Cenotes in the Yucatan.
Go To Hell is witty and hilarious while simultaneously an incredibly informative book on "hellish places" detailing everything from mythological versions of hell, the hottest places on Earth, fabled gateways to hell in real life places, and the history behind various versions of hell in different cultures around the globe.
It was such a fun read and I was so happy to win this book in a Goodreads giveaway. Since I read an advance copy the photos were printed in black and white, shrunk down to fit a paperback size instead of the coffee table hardcover, and a few details (the map and index) were excluded, but based on what I received I can tell it's going to be gorgeous when it's all put together!
I just love when a book makes learning fun! Plus, my home state is mentioned and I've actually been to a few hellish places mentioned, like Yellowstone National Park and some of the Cenotes in the Yucatan.
August 13, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of
Go to Hell.
This was a twofer - great title and great topic!
The author does a great job researching an unique travel guide to the most 'hellish' places on earth, both local and the exotic.
There are 54 destinations to choose from, from Hell, Michigan to Hell, Grand Cayman Island, but don't stop there!
There are plenty of locations to add to your bucket list, and it makes for a great icebreaker at parties.
"I'm going on vacation."
"Great! Where?"
"Hell!"
I loved learning about the various cultures and rituals where each hell is from.
There are caves and volcanoes, ghost towns and isolated islands, and pretty much a hell for any kind of person.
But it was also wonderful to read that some of these hellish places can also be quite beautiful, too.
This was a twofer - great title and great topic!
The author does a great job researching an unique travel guide to the most 'hellish' places on earth, both local and the exotic.
There are 54 destinations to choose from, from Hell, Michigan to Hell, Grand Cayman Island, but don't stop there!
There are plenty of locations to add to your bucket list, and it makes for a great icebreaker at parties.
"I'm going on vacation."
"Great! Where?"
"Hell!"
I loved learning about the various cultures and rituals where each hell is from.
There are caves and volcanoes, ghost towns and isolated islands, and pretty much a hell for any kind of person.
But it was also wonderful to read that some of these hellish places can also be quite beautiful, too.
September 18, 2024
I did like this book but a lot of these places didn't have a real connection to Hell in either location or legend. I'm also not sure how other religions may feel to find their underworld beliefs connected to Hell which is obviously a negative thing to many. I guess when I read the claim on the back about these diabolical places and the list of non-diabolical places I should haven't expected much. Even the the Hell on Earth landscapes were mainly just volcanos and hot springs which gets repetitive after awhile. I would love to see a book like this done a bit better with a bit more research and more locations.
July 29, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley and National Geographic for the ARC.
I thought the writing sounded familiar, and it was! I didn't realize that Erika wrote Gory Details, which I read about two years ago. This is just as enjoyable in a morbid sort of way. It covers a wide variety of cultures and beliefs, as well as any sort of permits needed to visit some of these places. The pictures chosen are gorgeous, and it makes me really sad that I'm too broke to leave the states and see them in person.
I thought the writing sounded familiar, and it was! I didn't realize that Erika wrote Gory Details, which I read about two years ago. This is just as enjoyable in a morbid sort of way. It covers a wide variety of cultures and beliefs, as well as any sort of permits needed to visit some of these places. The pictures chosen are gorgeous, and it makes me really sad that I'm too broke to leave the states and see them in person.
Shelved as '2024'
May 30, 2024📱 Thank you to NetGalley and National Geographic
April 18, 2024
A very interesting read! It serves as a great resource for learning about myths about hell/death from various religions and cultures. I appreciated the emphasis on pre Christian beliefs and distinguishing between original myths and the changes made by missionaries to adapt it to their world view. It’s a very thorough and comprehensive look at the topic so I’d recommend for anyone interested in learning more about hell myths/history even if they don’t travel. Now, I have to admit: I wish there were more pictures. I have no problem with all the descriptions and details, but wish there was more imagery. Some pages described a whole landmark without showing it, instead showing a statue for instance related to the myth. Cool, but if you’re encouraging travel somewhere, it’s best to show them what it looks like. There were also a few minor errors but I believe that’s just because it’s an early release copy so I have faith they will be fixed. All in all, very informative and detailed - but could be improved by more pictures! —— thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review 🤍
July 16, 2024
An amazing book full of unusual travel destinations. Some very dangerous indeed! It consists of three sections: [1] Portals to the Underworld; [2] Hells on Earth; and, [3] Otherworldly Destinations. This review is based on an Advance Reader's Edition received through goodreads.com.
In this edition the photos were black and white so it was rather difficult to really know the quality of those images. I thought that overall the book was somewhat light on the number of pictures. It would have been nice if each destination had an inset map so I did not have to use an atlas continuously to tell exactly where the venue was located. Specific travel information was always quite limited. More traveller oriented data should have been included. I am not sure that the title was a good choice. If the reader desires to actually visit one or more of the sites covered, considerable independent research and advance planning will be required.
Finally, it was really not clear, at least to me, which locations were or were not visited by the author and research team.
In this edition the photos were black and white so it was rather difficult to really know the quality of those images. I thought that overall the book was somewhat light on the number of pictures. It would have been nice if each destination had an inset map so I did not have to use an atlas continuously to tell exactly where the venue was located. Specific travel information was always quite limited. More traveller oriented data should have been included. I am not sure that the title was a good choice. If the reader desires to actually visit one or more of the sites covered, considerable independent research and advance planning will be required.
Finally, it was really not clear, at least to me, which locations were or were not visited by the author and research team.
August 15, 2024
Go To Hell by Erica Engelhaupt, In the book we learn about different cultures versions of hell and there’s even pictures. This book had a plethora of stories in it it was not only informative entertaining educational but all also interesting. From Ireland to Africa to South America in Mexico everyone has a version of hell and the author did a brilliant job telling us all about it. I am blind and I can honestly say this is the first book that I read where I wished I could see the pictures but alas I could not instill absolutely loved this fun and informative read. #NationalGeographic, #NetGalley, #GoToHell, #ErikaEngelhaupt,
June 30, 2024
National Geographic provided an early galley for review.
When I first heard the title of this book, I was hooked. Very novel indeed.
The subject matter is also a lot of fun. Broken down into three sections (Portals to the Underworld, Hells on Earth, and Otherworldly Destinations), Engelhaupt presents a variety of fascinating and fun locations for travelers to investigate. I like the inclusion of detailed lore, tips for your trips, and the full-color pictures. All together, they add up to a great sampling of memorable locations. While I might never make it to many of them, having this kind of information can be inspiring for an amateur writer like me (to add just the right flavor to a story).
When I first heard the title of this book, I was hooked. Very novel indeed.
The subject matter is also a lot of fun. Broken down into three sections (Portals to the Underworld, Hells on Earth, and Otherworldly Destinations), Engelhaupt presents a variety of fascinating and fun locations for travelers to investigate. I like the inclusion of detailed lore, tips for your trips, and the full-color pictures. All together, they add up to a great sampling of memorable locations. While I might never make it to many of them, having this kind of information can be inspiring for an amateur writer like me (to add just the right flavor to a story).
July 9, 2024
She does it again! Englehaupt has an outstanding ability to take science- based topics and present them in informative yet totally approachable and exciting ways. I was blown away by Gory Details and Go to Hell will be another I will be recommending as I begin impatiently waiting for the next book by my newest auto-buy author!
In Go To Hell, we venture across the globe to find places associated with concept of Hell through folklore, physical features, unlivable conditions, and otherworldly attractions. While I enjoyed reading about each one of these places and their connection to the concept of Hell, I can safely say that not all the locations are made it on my personal destination bucklist as many were truly -well- hellish!
In Go To Hell, we venture across the globe to find places associated with concept of Hell through folklore, physical features, unlivable conditions, and otherworldly attractions. While I enjoyed reading about each one of these places and their connection to the concept of Hell, I can safely say that not all the locations are made it on my personal destination bucklist as many were truly -well- hellish!
July 19, 2024
I am obsessed with this book I kept having to stop to add places to my bucket list or tell my partner about places that I want to go and the history behind them. I love how thorough this book is too, not only explaining the place but its cultural and historical significance. Then also going on to explain how and if you can visit these places and what you will need to do to experience them. I cannot wait to have a copy of this for my house so that my family and I can start out journey of seeing some of these amazing places.
May 2, 2024
I find history incredibly fascinating, so when the opportunity to read a book about the history and lore surrounding some truly eerie places popped up, I knew I had to read it! In ‘Go to Hell,’ Erika Engelhaupt brings us along as she discusses 50+ hellish locations. She dives into the lore and myths surrounding each location, and the visuals presented alongside add an extra layer of intrigue. I frequently pulled up additional images of the places she talks about because I was so curious to see more! In the introductory section, Engelhaupt calls these places “awesomely awful,” and I found that to be the perfect description.
Going into this, I thought I would know many – if not most – of the places Engelhaupt would take us to; however, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that I had prior knowledge of very few of them! I found the discussions dealing with the different religious beliefs of the various cultures to be especially interesting. I was also surprised by the fact that some of the spots are right in the center of (or very nearby) popular tourist spots. The writing was never dry or boring, and I never caught my eyes trying to skip paragraphs just to get through the book. I honestly enjoyed Engelhaupt’s research so much that, before finishing this one, I added her other book, ‘Gory Details,’ to my TBR.
If you are interested in world travel and otherworldly locations, or you just like interesting books with lots of pictures, please check this one out!
Going into this, I thought I would know many – if not most – of the places Engelhaupt would take us to; however, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that I had prior knowledge of very few of them! I found the discussions dealing with the different religious beliefs of the various cultures to be especially interesting. I was also surprised by the fact that some of the spots are right in the center of (or very nearby) popular tourist spots. The writing was never dry or boring, and I never caught my eyes trying to skip paragraphs just to get through the book. I honestly enjoyed Engelhaupt’s research so much that, before finishing this one, I added her other book, ‘Gory Details,’ to my TBR.
If you are interested in world travel and otherworldly locations, or you just like interesting books with lots of pictures, please check this one out!
September 22, 2024
This was an interesting book to read for spooky season. "Go to Hell" is an actual travel guide for someone who would be interested in visiting some of the most hellish places on the planet (think lakes of boiling water, caves with beautiful crystals but temperatures that could kill you in minutes, land where just about every animal can kill you with one bite, etc.). Each place is given 2-5 pages of a quick explanation, how it fits into the local lore of Hell, and what you can expect if you visited. The first part of the book focused on more ancient places and how that particular cave, lake, etc. was believe to be a portal to Hell, the 2nd part covered some of the most dangerous places on the planet, and the 3rd part focused on some of the most unusual places across the globe. Overall, I thought this was ok. It was interesting at first but then I felt it became very repetitive (especially since a lot of the volcanoes were placed together), but I did appreciate the "Before You Go" section that provides travelers information about what they need to be aware of if they wanted to visit a particular destination. This travel guide is not for everyone (as I think only the most adventurous travellers would want to visit some of these locations) but it can still be an interesting read for some.
Thanks to Edelweiss for providing me with a free eARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to Edelweiss for providing me with a free eARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.
August 8, 2024
Thank you to Erika Engelhaupt, National Geographic, and NetGalley for allowing me to read this free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I will be the first to say that this type of travel-esqueNational Geographic book is not my usual genre. And I am just so glad I took a chance to expand my horizons.
With a name like Go To Hell I was expecting something a bit more gimmicky, however, I was pleasantly surprised to read the well-informed knowledge filled between the pages. Through a blend of mythology, science, and world history, Engelhaupt successfully paints more than several pictures of the places deemed entrances to Hell, is inspired by Hell, or other Otherworldly destinations adjacent to Hell. She is extremely well versed in the subject content matter and so much fun information is packed into this relatively short and small package. Overall this was a fun read that I will definitely purchase for myself once published so I can hope to visit some of the places mentioned in the future.
I will be the first to say that this type of travel-esqueNational Geographic book is not my usual genre. And I am just so glad I took a chance to expand my horizons.
With a name like Go To Hell I was expecting something a bit more gimmicky, however, I was pleasantly surprised to read the well-informed knowledge filled between the pages. Through a blend of mythology, science, and world history, Engelhaupt successfully paints more than several pictures of the places deemed entrances to Hell, is inspired by Hell, or other Otherworldly destinations adjacent to Hell. She is extremely well versed in the subject content matter and so much fun information is packed into this relatively short and small package. Overall this was a fun read that I will definitely purchase for myself once published so I can hope to visit some of the places mentioned in the future.
May 10, 2024
Go to Hell is informatively written in a very personal way. It was perfectly suited for this book. The photos in this book are GORGEOUS! (Colorful, vivid, interesting!) This is probably the best non-fiction book that I've read this year.
Bracken Caves in Texas are now on my bucket list. The flowing sulfur blue flames that flow on Kawah ijen look amazing. Love the picture of the Sifaka lemurs on the Grand Tsingy rock formations. Devil's Bath in New Zealand looks intriguing. Again and again I was fascinated by each location.
I highly recommend Go to Hell. Definitely more than 5 stars!
Many thanks to NetGalley, publisher National Geographic and author Erika Engelhaupt for the opportunity to read the advance review copy of Go to Hell in exchange for an honest review. 288 (full color) pages, release date is (Tuesday) August 13, 2024. (Release dates seem to fall on Tuesdays, but it seems that they might have waited for Friday Sept 13, 2024. Just saying.)
Bracken Caves in Texas are now on my bucket list. The flowing sulfur blue flames that flow on Kawah ijen look amazing. Love the picture of the Sifaka lemurs on the Grand Tsingy rock formations. Devil's Bath in New Zealand looks intriguing. Again and again I was fascinated by each location.
I highly recommend Go to Hell. Definitely more than 5 stars!
Many thanks to NetGalley, publisher National Geographic and author Erika Engelhaupt for the opportunity to read the advance review copy of Go to Hell in exchange for an honest review. 288 (full color) pages, release date is (Tuesday) August 13, 2024. (Release dates seem to fall on Tuesdays, but it seems that they might have waited for Friday Sept 13, 2024. Just saying.)
May 19, 2024
I read an advanced copy of this book.
What a wild and informative ride!
The way this book is formatted, with short sections about each location, makes it ideal to carry with you and pick up whenever. I loved how knowledgeable the author was about the folklore and history of the places described and her practical tips for visiting some of the locations. As a lifelong mythology enthusiast, I still learned a lot from this book that I had previously been unaware of or didn't know as much about.
From cenotes to volcanic plains and everything in between, this book is a fantastic read for all the curious, but busy people out there! What a fun exploration of some of the most hauntingly beautiful places on Earth.
I would recommend watching Planet Earth: Season 1, Episode 4: Caves as a companion to this book. Several of the places herein were featured therein and I feel like the visuals shown add a lot to the experience this book gives you.
What a wild and informative ride!
The way this book is formatted, with short sections about each location, makes it ideal to carry with you and pick up whenever. I loved how knowledgeable the author was about the folklore and history of the places described and her practical tips for visiting some of the locations. As a lifelong mythology enthusiast, I still learned a lot from this book that I had previously been unaware of or didn't know as much about.
From cenotes to volcanic plains and everything in between, this book is a fantastic read for all the curious, but busy people out there! What a fun exploration of some of the most hauntingly beautiful places on Earth.
I would recommend watching Planet Earth: Season 1, Episode 4: Caves as a companion to this book. Several of the places herein were featured therein and I feel like the visuals shown add a lot to the experience this book gives you.
July 20, 2024
Whoa, talk about a wild ride! Erika Engelhaupt's "Go to Hell: A Traveler's Guide to Earth's Underworld Destinations" is a captivating deep dive into the darker corners of our planet. 🌍 As an avid reader, I was instantly intrigued by the concept - who doesn't love a good tour of hellish hotspots? 👹 From the "Hell Caves" of Ireland to the eternal flames of Turkmenistan's "Gates of Hell," this book takes you on a deliciously morbid journey through 54 real-life underworld destinations. Engelhaupt's writing is both informative and wickedly entertaining, blending the fascinating history and lore of these sites with practical tips for the daring traveler. 📚 As someone who loves exploring the strange and unusual, I couldn't get enough of this illustrated guidebook to Earth's most devilish destinations. Whether you're a fellow bookworm or just have a twisted sense of adventure, "Go to Hell" is a must-read that'll have you planning your next trip to the underworld in no time. 🌋
April 24, 2024
What a fun and interesting travel book! The author did an amazing job researching and presenting the 54 locations mentioned in a thoughtful, thorough, and accessible way. I really enjoyed learning about each location - many I had never heard of before - and in particular loved the “Before You Go” sections.
I do wish there had been more photographs included. I found myself often googling these locations or something mentioned so that I could have a better image of what the author was referring to. The pictures that were included were stunning! I just wish there had been a bit more to round out the experience.
All in all I had a lot of fun reading this work. I’d recommend to anyone interested in travel or learning more about the afterlife/hell/underworld.
Thank you to NetGalley and National Geographic for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I do wish there had been more photographs included. I found myself often googling these locations or something mentioned so that I could have a better image of what the author was referring to. The pictures that were included were stunning! I just wish there had been a bit more to round out the experience.
All in all I had a lot of fun reading this work. I’d recommend to anyone interested in travel or learning more about the afterlife/hell/underworld.
Thank you to NetGalley and National Geographic for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
June 18, 2024
What a great concept for a travel book! In each short entry Engelhaupt gives a good overview of the site, with historical and scientific information, as well as tips for visiting. And the liberal addition of color pictures makes this book as much a pleasure to look at as it is to read.
The destinations are broken into three thematically linked sections and were selected based on different "hellish" ideas: cultural associations with an underworld/otherworld (Pluto's Gate, Turkey); extreme environment (Danakil Depression, Ethiopia); uncanny features (Blood Falls, Antarctica); or inherent danger (Cape York, Queensland, Australia). I do wish there had been a bit less organization, as reading about the same types of places all in a row got a little tedious, but that's a very minor complaint.
Received via NetGalley.
The destinations are broken into three thematically linked sections and were selected based on different "hellish" ideas: cultural associations with an underworld/otherworld (Pluto's Gate, Turkey); extreme environment (Danakil Depression, Ethiopia); uncanny features (Blood Falls, Antarctica); or inherent danger (Cape York, Queensland, Australia). I do wish there had been a bit less organization, as reading about the same types of places all in a row got a little tedious, but that's a very minor complaint.
Received via NetGalley.
August 4, 2024
4.5 stars
This is such a fun travel book. The theme of hellish travel is well researched, and laid out. Each entry is only a few pages long, making this book a very quick and easy read. While the entries are short, they give all the details needed to understand why the location is considered hellish, and how one might be able to see them if it is possible. It is also a beautiful book. Judging by the digital version I imagine this being a great coffee table, and conversation staring piece. There aren't photos for every entry, but the ones that have them truly give the reader a sense of the location and its otherworldly features. This is definitely an interesting read, and has given me some locations I would love to see in person.
**I received a copy of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
This is such a fun travel book. The theme of hellish travel is well researched, and laid out. Each entry is only a few pages long, making this book a very quick and easy read. While the entries are short, they give all the details needed to understand why the location is considered hellish, and how one might be able to see them if it is possible. It is also a beautiful book. Judging by the digital version I imagine this being a great coffee table, and conversation staring piece. There aren't photos for every entry, but the ones that have them truly give the reader a sense of the location and its otherworldly features. This is definitely an interesting read, and has given me some locations I would love to see in person.
**I received a copy of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
July 23, 2024
This book is hysterical. The title alone drew me in b/c I was very curious. It covers not only mythical places that are believed to be be gateways or portals to hell but real places as well.
You’ll visit caves, caverns, lakes, small towns, volcanoes even islands in search of hell on earth. All of these places are stunningly beautiful and some are incredibly dangerous and cannot be visited by just anyone. Others are small tourist towns that thrive on the kitschy and make for a fun vacation stop.
No matter which hell you decide to visit, you’re sure to be delighted. They all offer something unique and different and are all worth a trip to hell and back.
I was given this ARC for free in return for my honest opinion
You’ll visit caves, caverns, lakes, small towns, volcanoes even islands in search of hell on earth. All of these places are stunningly beautiful and some are incredibly dangerous and cannot be visited by just anyone. Others are small tourist towns that thrive on the kitschy and make for a fun vacation stop.
No matter which hell you decide to visit, you’re sure to be delighted. They all offer something unique and different and are all worth a trip to hell and back.
I was given this ARC for free in return for my honest opinion
August 12, 2024
The premise of this book really appealed to me and I am glad I read it. I can imagine that to see this book in print would be truly visually stunning, as even having it as an eARC was wonderful.
My favorite thing about this book was that most of the places were places I had never heard of, and it gave me a whole list of places I would want to visit (and some I probably wouldn’t, even if I think they sound interesting). Some of the places are pretty close to home, too, like the Cave of the Moon in Idaho or Hell, Michigan!
The author handled each location with respect and often gave really good advice for tourists on how to visit without harming the ecosystem or disrupting the environment and to avoid getting hurt! This book gave me a lot of fun facts I can’t wait to trot out at parties, and made me sort of desperate to visit New Zealand and Antarctica!
My favorite thing about this book was that most of the places were places I had never heard of, and it gave me a whole list of places I would want to visit (and some I probably wouldn’t, even if I think they sound interesting). Some of the places are pretty close to home, too, like the Cave of the Moon in Idaho or Hell, Michigan!
The author handled each location with respect and often gave really good advice for tourists on how to visit without harming the ecosystem or disrupting the environment and to avoid getting hurt! This book gave me a lot of fun facts I can’t wait to trot out at parties, and made me sort of desperate to visit New Zealand and Antarctica!
June 25, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an early copy of this book.
This book is about places, not dark tourism and the author makes a point to explain that.
I liked how there was a set criteria for the book and a clear division between the types.
There were spots where this book acted like a travel guide in some places that was a little disorientating.
The otherworldly destinations section is cool but unsure how it relates to the rest of the book. However, some of the entries make sense regarding the rest of the book while others fall flat.
I wish there had been more photographs.
This book is about places, not dark tourism and the author makes a point to explain that.
I liked how there was a set criteria for the book and a clear division between the types.
There were spots where this book acted like a travel guide in some places that was a little disorientating.
The otherworldly destinations section is cool but unsure how it relates to the rest of the book. However, some of the entries make sense regarding the rest of the book while others fall flat.
I wish there had been more photographs.
July 6, 2024
Thank you, NetGalley and National Geographic for this advanced reader's copy. This book would be a fantastic coffee table book as I think it would definitely spark conversations. I loved the pictures in the book accompanying the descriptions of the crazy places, although so many places didn't even look real, they were so weird or creepy looking. And thank you for the nightmares now after reading about the beautiful looking "Glow worm cave" in New Zealand where the glow worms are actually MAGGOTS!! This book was funny, educational, and creepy.
July 7, 2024
"Go To Hell" by Erika Engelhaupt is an enthralling travel book that takes readers to some of the world's most intriguing and eerie destinations. Engelhaupt's captivating writing and keen eye for detail bring places like Hell, Michigan, and the Devil's Swimming Pool in Zambia to life.
For those seeking adventure off the beaten path, "Go To Hell" is a must-read. It encourages curiosity and exploration of the world's most unusual places, celebrating the thrill of discovery and learning; a great guide for a fun themed vacation upcoming!
For those seeking adventure off the beaten path, "Go To Hell" is a must-read. It encourages curiosity and exploration of the world's most unusual places, celebrating the thrill of discovery and learning; a great guide for a fun themed vacation upcoming!
August 8, 2024
An extremely fun and eclectic book about nature and travel. I loved reading about the different locations around the world associated with hell. More places than I could have imagined.
This book would be perfect for adventurous type people, travelers to exotic locals and nature lovers who want to see new and exciting things.
Thanks to the author for the giveaway. My only gripe is that in the advance reader copy the photos were black and white and were somewhat blurry. I wish I could have seen the color versions to get a fuller experience.
This book would be perfect for adventurous type people, travelers to exotic locals and nature lovers who want to see new and exciting things.
Thanks to the author for the giveaway. My only gripe is that in the advance reader copy the photos were black and white and were somewhat blurry. I wish I could have seen the color versions to get a fuller experience.
July 7, 2024
I love to travel and finding things off the beaten path, and what better final destination than a trip to a hellish landscape full of lore and mystery! Pick up this travelogue of horribly beautiful and terrifying locations that harken to a literal hell on earth! From geothermal wonders filled with poisonous gases, acidic waters, and molten lava, to holy lands filled with depictions of torture and purgatory. Travel the underworld without ever leaving the safety of your own paradise!
July 22, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a copy of this title.
An intriguing travel book with a unique premise. I enjoyed all the mythology and religious context scattered throughout to acclimate the reader to the culture of each destination. I read this without the intention of actually traveling to any of these places, but as a person interested in the unknown of the world. However, it would also work as a travel guide, since nearly each chapter has "Know Before You Go" sections.
An intriguing travel book with a unique premise. I enjoyed all the mythology and religious context scattered throughout to acclimate the reader to the culture of each destination. I read this without the intention of actually traveling to any of these places, but as a person interested in the unknown of the world. However, it would also work as a travel guide, since nearly each chapter has "Know Before You Go" sections.
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