Hidden Cities

In this fascinating glimpse into the world of urban exploration Moses Gates describes his trespasses in some of the most illustrious cities in the world from Paris to Cairo to Moscow.Gates is a new breed of adventurer for the 21st century. He thrives on the thrill of seeing what others do not see let alone even know exists. It all began quite innocuously. After moving to New York City and pursuing graduate studies in Urban Planning he began unearthing hidden facets of the cityabandoned structures disused subway stops incredible rooftop views that belonged to cordoned-off buildings.At first it was about satiating a nagging curiosity; yet the more he experienced and saw the more his thirst for adventure grew eventually leading him abroad. In this memoir of his experiences Gates details his travels through underground canals sewers subways and cryptsin metropolisesspanning four continents.In this finely-written book Gates describes his immersionin the worldwide subculture of urban exploration; how he joineda world of people who create secret art galleries in subway tunnels break into national monuments for fun and travel the globe sleeping in centuries-old catacombs and abandoned Soviet relics rather than hotels or bed-and-breakfasts. They push each other further and furthervisiting the hidden side of a dozen countries discovering ancient underground Roman ruins scaling the Brooklyn Manhattan and Williamsburg bridges partying in tunnels sneaking into Stonehenge and even finding themselves under arrest on top of Notre Dame Cathedral.. Ultimately Gates contemplates why he and other urban explorers are so instinctivelydrawn tothese unknown and sometimes forbidden placeseven (and for some especially) when the stakes are high.Hidden Cities will inspire readers tothink aboutthe potential for urban exploration available for anyone anywhereifthey have only the curiosity (and nerve!) to dig below the surface to discover the hidden corners of this world.