BOOKS and AWARDS

Imagine walking among and learning about 124 ancient cities in 25 countries across the world: from the Mediterranean and Middle East to Asia and the Americas. Some are World Heritage Sites, accessible to tens of thousands of visitors each year, and some are remote and seldom seen. But each ancient city from the distant past conveys a special place in the history of human civilization, and each presents its own story and sense of place.

In Unforgotten: Ancient Cities from a Distant Past, William Frej presents 200 unforgettable duotone photographs of these ancient cities, capturing their allure and beauty, their spirit and resonating sense of space. Anne Frej, in her elegant introduction, sets the table for the journey that awaits every reader—a journey into deep history, magical architecture, innovative city planning, and geographical splendor that speaks to us today. And Michael E. Smith, a noted archeologist and author, writes about the lessons to be learned from these ancient cities, including his insights into the various urban traditions behind the building of the cities and why their histories remain relevant.

As readers explore the ruins and remnants of these amazing ancient cities, a sense of awe and wonder is ever-present. Yet so is the knowledge that human civilization and life on Earth, no matter how grand, is tenuous and fragile. Even as these places reached their apogee and influence in an earlier time, there are reasons why these places were abandoned and often replaced. So let your curiosity wander as you turn each page, for you will see in words and pictures why these ancient cities and sites—true wonders of the world—should not be forgotten.

BOOK AWARD

Gold Medal, Fine Art Book
2024 Tokyo International Foto Awards

Enigmatic rock art featuring a myriad of symbols and designs can be found throughout the remote and arid landscapes of the Greater Southwest. In this book, William Frej’s powerful black and white photographs of rock art in the American Southwest and Baja California in Mexico provide the opportunity to explore this diverse and mysterious imagery. The accompanying photo captions and essay by Polly Schaafsma present clues to the symbolic content of these stone murals and address the ambiguities latent in their complex meanings.

BOOK AWARDS
Distinguished Favorite/Nature (2024)
Independent Press Award

Second Place, Books (2023)
Gold Medal, Book/Nature (2023)
Budapest International Foto Awards

Gold Medal (2023)
Tokyo International Foto Awards

Preview of sample pages.