Hot Springs

Immerse yourself in hot springs from around the world in this stunning visual adventure that features photographs and stories of the unique topographies, regional uses, and cultural meanings of thermal baths.

This book transports you to high mountains, remote islands, vast deserts, and the Arctic to soak in the ethereal beauty of natural hot springs. From sacred sites in India to municipal pools in Iceland and beyond, photojournalist Greta Rybus has traveled the world to document the warm, wild gathering places that have comforted the weary and adventurous for centuries.

Each spring is unique, a reflection of not just its physical location but of the people who care for and enjoy it. Hot Springs guides you through breathtaking landscapes and offers intriguing insights on historical significance, proper etiquette, and the roles these springs have in their communities. You'll hear from bathers in Hungary and Japan about how hot baths are a consistent part of their wellness and social routines. You'll learn about a repatriated hot spring in South Africa and explore the power of communal ownership for locals in Alaska, Greenland, and Mexico. You'll read about a pool that Antony reportedly gave to Cleopatra and hot springs in Iceland still connected to an outlaw past.

Greta's breathtaking photography transports you to more than two dozen worldwide locations while introducing you to the interconnected communities surrounding them. Hot Springs is your invitation to revel in the healing powers of water and its ability to connect us to ourselves, others, and the planet.

Review

"In both the striking photos--a mix of wide-angled shots and portraits of those who visit or maintain the springs--and text, Rybus reveals how soaking can inspire self-reflection, hold spiritual significance (a priest of Himachal Pradesh's Hot Water Temples in India explains, 'We believe in the hot water. . . . When you bathe in the water, you know its power.'), and connect bathers to the earth, 'literally introducing us to the hidden core of the place we call home.' The author's reverence for her subject comes through in dreamy prose that never overpowers the serene, striking photos."--Publishers Weekly

About the Author

Greta Rybus is a photojournalist specializing in documenting human experiences of the environment. Born in Idaho, she studied photojournalism and cultural anthropology at the University of Montana. She is an assignment photographer for the New York Times, Travel + Leisure, The Guardian, and other magazines and newspapers. She is happiest when soaking in hot water, meeting new people, and exploring new places.