Access All Areas: A User's Guide to the Art of Urban Exploration

by Ninjalicious

Book Overview

A comprehensive guidebook to urban exploration, a thrilling, mind-expanding hobby that encourages our natural instincts to explore and play in our own environment. Includes everything you need to begin exploring little-known urban spaces like abandoned buildings, rooftops, construction sites, drains, transit and utility tunnels and more. Features chapters on
* training

* recruiting
* preparation
* equipping
* social engineering...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0973778709
• ISBN13: 9780973778700
• Release Date: November 2005
• Publisher: Infilpress
• Length: 242 Pages
• Weight: 0.83 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.9" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

Incredibly interesting

I bought this book for a present for my husband and found that I have a hard time keeping my hands off it. Well written and informative, this book has insights into how to infiltrate just about anywhere - from construction sites to the restricted sections of hospitals, from abandoned subway tunnels to rooftops to formal parties to which you were not invited. Ninjalicious also tells you what to do if you get caught, gives tips on walking past guards or other official people, and details the fine art of not looking suspicious in the first place. Whether you're a secret agent, a modern-day urban ninja, or just curious, I recommend this book.

One Of The Most Unique Things Out There

I was a friend of Ninjalicious. We are from the same area, and had discovered eachother, because we were 'in the same line of work' so to speak. But I admire his creativity, not just in the exploration we shared, but in his ability to put it to ink, and share with others. A skill I have never had. Also, when I first met Ninj', and shared my story with him. How I not only explored, but often in my travels, I have made home in some abandoned buildings, he quikly humbled himself, that he was just in it for the 'sport', and opologized if he seemed like what he was doing was wrong at all. Not at all. Much respect for Ninjalicious. I am sad I will not get the chance to see you again my brother. Maybe on the other side. Farewell and rest in Peace.

Excellent read, even if you don't plan to infiltrate anything

I grabbed this book from the library because the subject intrigued me - not because I plan to infiltrate anything, but rather just because I wanted to read about it. And what a great read it turned out to be. Ninjalicious writes very well and with a good sense of humour. He covers the subject thoroughly (I can't imagine he overlooked anything) and with a good attitude. I enjoyed the several brief anecdotes scattered throughout the book describing infiltrations which Ninjalicious conducted (and documented with photos), and I particularly enjoyed the chapter on social engineering (the principles of which are applicable to many day-to-day non-infiltration encounters). Highly recommended.

outstanding

I ordered this book whilst drunk and reading the internet one night, and proceeded to forget all about it. When it arrived weeks later, I was wary of the theme, the author's nom de plume, and virtually everything else. I personally am not an urban explorer--I suppose I just thought I'd find the subject interesting. Turns out, this was the best book I read all year. It's written with an inquisitive but respectful attitude, and the author is properly derisive of people who enter spaces to deface them. Many of the observations the book makes are extremely interesting, and provide insight into how large properties and operations work that will be of use even if you aren't planning on looking around. Throughout, the book is permeated with a sense of humour and an easy, readable writing style. I was sad to hear that Ninjalicious had passed on. I would have liked to meet him, shake his hand, and tell him he's written a very, very good book.

In memory of Ninjalicious and the art of exploring places you're not supposed to go!

I have been an avid fan for many years of Ninjalicious's E-zine Infiltration (www.infiltration.org), a website devoted to exploring the bowels of those places you're not supposed to go: city hospitals, hotels, subway tunnels, abandoned factories, the works. Sadly, Ninjalicious passed away in August 2005 from a terminal illness, but his love of exploration (and a good yarn!) lives on in Access All Areas. Urban exploration is not for everyone: it is generally illegal, dirty, claustrophobic, and can be downright dangerous, if not fatal (exploring subway tunnels when the trains are in use, risk of electrocution from stepping on the third electrified rail in subway tunnels, asbestos and other toxic chemicals in abandoned factories, drowning if drains flash flood, etc.). For me, I enjoyed reading Ninj's adventures exploring working subway tunnels, abandoned breweries, barging in on hotel swimming pools pretending to be a guest, and other hands-off areas of Toronto. Ninj's writing style and down-to-earth pointers about Urban Exploration (he can most definitely be considered one of the sport's founders), along with the ever-present naughty thrill of "will you be caught?" makes it an exciting hobby (please note, I'm an armchair Urban Explorer -- I've never tried exploring Toronto's subways, hospitals, abandoned breweries, or hotels in person, I'm just a fan of Ninj and the *idea* of Urban Exploration.) Rest in peace, Ninj, and thanks for the years of thrills!