A Legacy in Brick and Stone: American Coast Defense Forts of the Third System, 1816-1867

A Legacy in Brick and Stone by John Weaver II

The definitive history of the American Third System of Fortifications that defended our coastline for more than half of century, these architectural wonders were built from 1816 through 1867 from Maine through the Florida Keys to New Orleans, with two forts in San Francisco Bay. Almost all of these 42 masonry forts still stand along our shores, and most are open to the public. A Legacy in Brick and Stone provides the background of these famous Civil War forts - why they were built where they are, who built them, and how they functioned - as well as descriptions of each fort. This revised and expanded edition has grown by over 100 pages, and over 400 new photographs and drawings have been included. The author, John Weaver II, a nationally known expert on masonry coastal fortifications, has invested over 30 years of research into A Legacy in Brick and Stone to produce the only full treatment of the magnificent American Third System of seacoast fortifications. This book is an important addition to the body of knowledge on American seacoast defenses and a must for any serious student of fortifications or the American Civil War.