The Vauban Fortifications of France (Fortress)

Louis XIV, France's "Sun King", waged war on Europe for three-quarters of a century. His foremost military engineer was one Marshal Vauban, an equally skilled builder and besieger of 18th century fortresses. The system of layered defenses that Vauban utilized for French forts would influence military engineering into the 20th Century. Veteran historian Paddy Griffith provides the narrative in this Osprey Fortress Series entry; Peter Denis executed the illustrations."The Vauban Fortifications of France" opens with a quick biographical sketch of the Marshal, followed by an extended discussion of his work and his influence on military engineering. The narrative tends to ramble a bit; Griffith expends some effort attempting to get past the legends to the real extent of Vauban's legacy. The photographs, diagrams, and illustrations, and a glossary in the back are a terrific introduction into 18th Century military engineering. The topic is too complex for one Osprey book, but this is a good start; recommended.

The fortress series is the best. The illustrations give a thorough visual.

A very good book in a good series by Osprey. The subject could have many huge volumes written on it so you are only getting a brief overview but it is very informative. The photographs and artwork really do add to the description. If you want a book on Vaubaun entire career and every fortification he built you will need a bigger book but for an introduction this is a good book. Not as wrapped up in engineering as some larger books on the subject so easy enough for all ages to understand. I would recomend this book to students of history, fortification buff, wargamers, modelers etc.

interesting

More than I expected from a small book. Was still hoping to see more history behind Vauban's Citadel of Lille.

I'm using this as a resource for writing my fantasy novels. A great summary of Vauban's life work. It's amazing how technology changed the way forts were built.

Good concise book about Vauban with lots of photos

The author provides a descripton of the life of Vauban and introduces the reader to the fortifications he was involved with in France. His three systems are described and the author explains that Vauban did not actually divide his own work into these "systems" since that was a term applied by others later. This small work is packed with a large amount of information on Vauban and his works. The only problem is some illustrations which are a bit confusing since they have been mislabelled or poorly represent a Vauban fortification. In one case the artist marked an orlon incorrectly. Otherwise the book makes a nice introduction and basic reference.

This is a wonderful holiday book to take when looking at the fortresses around the borders of France. It explains Vauban's contribution to fortificationand lists all the forts Vauban designed. Not a tremendous amount on him exists in English and this was a welcome contribution to the subject when it came out

Magnificent book, dedicated to the magnificent Fortifications planned by the great military engineer of Louis XIV, Vauban, who innovates military construction so far known, making it not only defensive, with its two famous lines, but tambén offensive. Recognizable by its octagonal shape, flooded France from the Alps to the Pyrenees, where many constructions. Even today the imprint of Great Vauban is pesente almost any corner. A picture book with a wealth of beautiful photographs.

Very informative

This concise history of the fortifications of France gains of very good insight. Not only in military aspect of the fortifications, but also the influence in the field of military architecture of the colonial powers. Vauban was certainly of great importance.

Good as far as it goes but this is no DK. Would benefit from a map of sights around France. Some text needed 'breaking up' a bit to aid digestion! Overall a useful source and in english.