Kieron Connolly’s new book of photographs of more than 100 once-busy and often elegant buildings gives an idea of how the world might look if humankind disappeared. Here: Bodie, Mono County, California. Gold was discovered at Bodie in 1859 (just after the initial California gold rush) and it went from mining camp to boomtown. Its decline began in 1880, when word spread of new boomtowns elsewhere. The Standard Consolidated Mine closed in 1913, and four years later the Bodie Railway was abandoned. By 1940 the population was down to 40. Today, Bodie is maintained in a state of arrested decay as a visitor attraction. (Photo by Alamy Stock Photo)

Singer and jury member Brian Ferry attends the Cartier “Travel With Style” Concours on March 12, 2011 in New Delhi, India. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images for Cartier)

Inductee Alice Cooper poses with a snake in the press room at the 26th annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at The Waldorf=Astoria on March 14, 2011 in New York City.

Alfred Hitchcock (1899 – 1980) in front of a caricature of his profile at a press reception in London for his new film “Frenzy”. (Photo by Central Press/Getty Images). 24th May 1972

Lady Gaga performs on ABC's “Good Morning America” at Rumsey Playfield, Central Park on May 27, 2011 in New York, United States. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)

Lady Gaga attends the 2011 CFDA Fashion Awards at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center on June 6, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)

LOCOG Chair and former Olympian Lord Sebastian Coe holds a prototype design of the new golden Olympic Torch during its unveiling at St Pancras Station on June 8, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Munzin Chowdhury (C) and other enthusiasts perform yoga in Times Square during an event marking the summer solstice on June 21, 2011 in New York City. Thousands of yogis will attend the free day-long event in Manhattan on the longest day of the year. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)