Seacoast Fortifications of the United States. An Introductory History

Missoula, Montana: Pictorial Histories Publishing Company, 1979. — 144 p.2nd edition. In the days of sailing navies and before the rise of air power, fortifications were constructed to protect harbors and cities. Lewis explores numerous fortifications along the Atlantic and Pacific seaboards. This is a fine introduction to fortifications in the United States. The survey begins in colonial times and then highlights the similarities among forts in several different periods, namely the 1st (late 1700s), 2nd (around the War of 1812), 3rd (1820-1865), Endicott (late 1800s) and the two world wars. The author focuses on the forts as a system as opposed to individual forts, although he does provide numerous pictures of specific forts that are good illustrations of the defense programs.