Masterpieces of Architecture Ser. : Masterpieces of Architecture

This book explores the fascinating rise and evolution of miltary defense through history, from the palisaded encampments used by the Romans to the stone battlements of the Middle Ages to the frontier outposts of the Colonial period. In medieval Europe, the need to withstand prolonged sieges led to strategic structural innovations in Britain, France, and Spain which greatly improved the defensive capabilities of fortifications. The introduction of artillery called for further adaptations. These changes were taken to the New World by European settlers and incorporated into wooden and masonry forts for defense against native peoples and each other. With detailed text and 79 full-color illustrations, this volume is a thoughtful trip through military history.