The Fortifications of Gibraltar 10681945

(Paperback)

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Description

Gibraltar, located at the meeting points of Europe and Africa, preserves within its fortifications a rich testament to human conflict spanning 600 years. In 1068 the ruling Spanish Muslims built a large fort there. Between 1309 and 1374 Gibraltar underwent a period of intensive building and fortification, and following the Spanish reconquest of 1462 the inhabitants carried out further works. In 1704 the latest, uninterrupted period of British rule began. The 18th century saw three sieges including the most severe, known as the Great Siege, which lasted from 1779 to 1783. During World War II the 'Rock' served as a vital stop for supply convoys and naval staging base, complete with a veritable warren of secret tunnels. This book documents Gibraltar's rich history, and charts the development of these fascinating fortifications.

Reviews

"This volume will prove fascinating, not only for the CDSG members who recently visited Gibraltar, but for anyone interested in the history of fortifications. Finlayson and Fa, director and deputy director of the Gibraltar Museum respectively, are more than qualified to tell the long and involved story of the defense of Gibraltar, and they have illustrated it with many well-chosen paintings, maps, plans, and photos... This excellent book on a very important subject is highly recommended to anyone interested in fortifications." --Bolling Smith, Coast Defense Journal

"The authors provide a clear story of how things progressed through period drawings, photographs and superb artwork of Adam Hook. Overall, this is a superb book on what has to be one of the most interesting and fortified pieces of real estate on the planet. Highly recommended for all." --Scott Van Aken, modelingmadness.com

Author Bio

Darren Fa was born in Gibraltar 1966. Darren is a member of the Fortress Study Group, The Ordnance Society and the Coast Defence Study Group. Deputy Director of the Gibraltar museum, he has also prepared numerous papers, articles and talks on Gibraltar's local and natural history, and is co-editor of Gibraltar Heritage, a bi-annual magazine. Clive Finlayson was born in Gibraltar in 1955. He completed a BSc at the University of Liverpool, UK, and went on to obtain a Dphil from the University of Oxford. A former Managing Director of the Gibraltar Tourism Agency, in 1991 Clive became the Director of the Gibraltar Museum. Adam Hook specializes in detailed historical reconstructions, and has illustrated Osprey titles on the Aztecs, the Greeks, the American Civil War and the American Revolution. His work features in exhibitions and publications throughout the world. He lives in Sussex, UK.