Product Description

This book presents the results of a two-year project to examine the 1940/41 anti-invasion landscapes of England. Combining extensive documentary research with fieldwork, sixty-seven defence areas were examined in detail, establishing the strategy and coherence of the original defence and analysing this in relation to the surviving structures. A particular emphasis has been placed on the differing landscapes in which the defence works were built, showing how in many cases the topography assisted the defence and how natural features were used to give strength and concealment to defence positions. Three major strategies are represented - those of coastal defence, inland stop line defence, and area defence. The introduction provides an overview of the whole subject, and sets out the differing types of defence works, the various strategies of defence, and the resources available for study. Attention has been given to dispelling various misconceptions that are still prevalent concerning the nature of these defences and their purpose. The defence works are presented within their historic background, explaining, for example, why some defence works have survived while the great majority have been destroyed. The book identifies the need today not only for the preservation of individual examples but of complete landscapes of defence where different types of structures have survived in good condition and are publicly accessible. An important component of the book are the maps which have been created to show the defence works for each of the 67 areas, using a system of symbols that was specially developed for the project.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #534532 in Books
• Published on: 2006-05-16
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 694 pages

Customer Reviews

Good book, but would have been better with more colour pictures
At first glance I was a little disapointed that this book doesn't contain any colour illustrations. And only informs you about certain areas in the UK. However, don't let me put you off. This is a really good read for the student of 20th Century defences in Britain. It details (brilliantly) large areas of the UK's wartime defences in great detail, informing the reader of the current condition of remaining wartime defences. All in all a really good read, with some colour illustrations I would definately given this book five stars.

Beaches fields streets and fields
A very thick and heavy volume covering a great deal of England. If you missed this title both of the authors spin off books cover a selected amount of the same sites but have a somewhat beefed up story with much added entertainment on each location!.
Illustrated with reproduced clear Ordnance Survey maps, but dotted with a mixture of confusing symbols [at certain locations placed inaccurate, whilst others say pillboxes "exsist" where they do not!]
This book is written in a clear and precise manner, which makes both of its follow ups a shock,a great shame that the author changes his style of writing.
Book could have done with colour photos and certainly better binding as i my copy appears to be starting to come apart,if anything else it will at least make a good doorstop!