Irishtom29
2nd Lieutenant
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2008
- Location
- Wheaton Illinois
There's significant talk of fortifications here, both permanent and field works, and it occurs to me a basic library on artillery fortifications and siegecraft would be useful to many. I've owned many books on the subject but had to pare down when I took up motorhome living. So I'll list those books I think most useful.
If I could have only one book on black powder artillery fortifications, that is fortifications meant to both defend against and mount artillery, it would be Christopher Duffy's book "Fire and Stone: the Science of Fortress Warfare 1660-1860". The book describes the nature of the fortifications and the nature of the siege and the weapons used. The book has abundant useful illustrations, maps, diagrams and a glossary. Very well written.
Next would be Ian Hogg's "The History of Forts and Castles" a work on forts through the ages but very strong on the gunpowder age and the transition to rifled cannon and then high explosives. Another engaging writer.
"Firearms and Fortifications: Military Architecture and Siege Warfare in 16th Century Siena" by Pepper and Adams covers the early days of artillery fortifications and the transition from medieval to early modern fortifications with an emphasis on Italy where many of these changes and new designs first occured. Rather dry but very informative.
"A Legacy in Brick and Stone: American Coastal Defense Forts of the Third System 1816-1867" by our friend John R Weaver II is essential to the American fort enthusiast. The covers all aspects of the forts--their political and strategic goals, how they were intended to be used, their design and building and how they fared in actual war. Each fort of the system is described and the illustrations are excellent. Weaver has some interesting thoughts on the wartime performance of the forts that run against "common knowledge" and that reshaped my thinking.
We can finish up with "Vauban and the French Military Under Louis XIV: An Illustrated History of Fortifications and Strstegies" by Jean-Denis G.G. Lepage. The best book I know in English on the great fortress maker and breaker Marshal Sebastien Le Preste de Vauban. Has a very detailed description of the fortifications in general and their various parts and the cannon used and then detailed descriptions of the fortresses and forts built and improved by the man. It's illustrated with many excellent drawings that make things very clear. Great book.
These books will make the reader pretty well informed.
If I could have only one book on black powder artillery fortifications, that is fortifications meant to both defend against and mount artillery, it would be Christopher Duffy's book "Fire and Stone: the Science of Fortress Warfare 1660-1860". The book describes the nature of the fortifications and the nature of the siege and the weapons used. The book has abundant useful illustrations, maps, diagrams and a glossary. Very well written.
Next would be Ian Hogg's "The History of Forts and Castles" a work on forts through the ages but very strong on the gunpowder age and the transition to rifled cannon and then high explosives. Another engaging writer.
"Firearms and Fortifications: Military Architecture and Siege Warfare in 16th Century Siena" by Pepper and Adams covers the early days of artillery fortifications and the transition from medieval to early modern fortifications with an emphasis on Italy where many of these changes and new designs first occured. Rather dry but very informative.
"A Legacy in Brick and Stone: American Coastal Defense Forts of the Third System 1816-1867" by our friend John R Weaver II is essential to the American fort enthusiast. The covers all aspects of the forts--their political and strategic goals, how they were intended to be used, their design and building and how they fared in actual war. Each fort of the system is described and the illustrations are excellent. Weaver has some interesting thoughts on the wartime performance of the forts that run against "common knowledge" and that reshaped my thinking.
We can finish up with "Vauban and the French Military Under Louis XIV: An Illustrated History of Fortifications and Strstegies" by Jean-Denis G.G. Lepage. The best book I know in English on the great fortress maker and breaker Marshal Sebastien Le Preste de Vauban. Has a very detailed description of the fortifications in general and their various parts and the cannon used and then detailed descriptions of the fortresses and forts built and improved by the man. It's illustrated with many excellent drawings that make things very clear. Great book.
These books will make the reader pretty well informed.