Osprey Fortress Series SC (2003) comic books 2008

Volume 65 - 1st printing. "The Forts of Judaea 168 BC–AD 73!" Written by Samuel Rocca. Art by Adam Hook. In 1277 Edward I gathered a huge army and marched into Wales to subdue the rebel Welsh princes. A key part of his strategy was to erect a castle wherever his army rested. This title takes a detailed look at the design, development and principles of defence of these Welsh castles, documenting daily life within their walls and the historical events that took place around them. Focusing on key sites, it highlights the varied castle designs ranging from fortifications based on French models to the defences inspired by Constantinople, and is illustrated with eight pages of full-colour illustrations and cutaway artwork. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W Cover price $18.95.

Volume 66 - 1st printing. "The Castles of Henry VIII!" Written by Peter Harrington. Art by Brian Delf. In the last years of his reign Henry VIII needed a radically modern system of defence to protect England and its new Church. Anticipating a foreign onslaught from Catholic Europe after his split from Rome, Henry energetically began construction of more than 20 stone forts to protect England's major ports and estuaries. Aided by excellent illustrations, Peter Harrington explores the departure from artillery-vulnerable medieval castle designs, to the low, sturdy stone fortresses inspired by European ideas. He explains the scientific care taken to select sites for these castles, and the transition from medieval to modern in this last surge of English castle construction. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W Cover price $18.95.

Volume 69 - 1st printing. "The Berlin Wall and the Intra-German Border 1961-89!" Written by Gordon L Rottman. Art by Chris Taylor. The border between East and West Germany was closed on 26 May 1953. On 13 August 1961 crude fences and walls were erected around West Berlin: the Berlin Wall had been created. The Wall encircled West Berlin for a distance of 155km, and its barriers and surveillance systems evolved over the years into an advanced obstacle network. The Intra-German Border ran from the Baltic Sea to the Czechoslovak border for 1,381km, and was where NATO forces faced the Warsaw Pact for the 45 years of the Cold War. This book examines the international situation that led to the establishment of the Berlin Wall and the IGB, and discusses how these barrier systems were operated, and finally fell. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W Cover price $18.95.

Volume 70 - 1st printing. "Strongholds of the Border Reivers!" Written by Keith Durham. Art by Graham Turner. In the year 1296, Edward I of England launched a series of vicious raids across the Anglo-Scottish Border in his attempt to annexe Scotland. The Scots retaliated and the two countries were plunged into 300 years of war in which the Borderland became the frontline and raiding, or 'reiving,' encouraged by both sides, became a way of life. Keith Durham examines the Border fortresses, ranging from small, well-defended castles to imposing tower houses, or 'peles,' and a variety of fortified farmhouses known as 'bastles.' He also investigates the many churches that were strengthened against attack and in times of trouble served as sanctuaries for their congregations. Packed with full-colour photographs and detailed cut-away artwork, this is an ideal historical commentary for any tourist visiting the sites that are dotted across the whole of the Border region. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W Cover price $18.95.

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Volume 71 - 1st printing. "The Walls of Rome!" Written by Nic Fields. Art by Peter Dennis. This book provides a detailed examination of the design, development and construction of the defences of ancient Rome, with a particular focus on the Aurelian Wall – arguably the best preserved of all city walls in the Roman empire. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W Cover price $18.95.

Volume 72 - 1st printing. "German V-Weapon Sites 1943-45!" Written by Steven J Zaloga. Art by Hugh Johnson and Chris Taylor. Designed to change the course of the war, the V weapons required ambitious plans to defend their expensive and complicated launch sites. Steven J Zaloga describes the configuration and planned deployment of heavy missile sites, as well as the unique Allied tactics developed to counter this threat, including a remote-control version of the B-17 bomber. From the V-1 ski sites to the mobile basing employed by the V-2 units and the other secret weapons bases like the 'V-3' high-pressure gun at Mimoyeques, this book examines the impact of these weapon systems and defences not only on the war but on modern weaponry. With many of the sites described still surviving today, this is a perfect companion for a tour of the V weapon sites built during World War II. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W Cover price $18.95.

Volume 73 - 1st printing. "Hittite Fortifications c.1650-700 BC!" Written by Konstantin Nossov. Art by Brian Delf. In the second half of the third millennium BC the Indo-European tribe known as the Hittites migrated and settled in Central Anatolia, at that time a land of small city-states whose rulers lived in fortresses. These fortifications enabled the Hittites to transform themselves into a Bronze Age super-power, defeating the Egyptians at Kadesh in c.1274 BC. Konstantin Nossov examines the fortifications constructed by the Hittites in their efforts to sustain and then halt the decline of their once flourishing empire. Providing an in-depth anatomy of the fortresses, focusing on the major sites of the principal city Hattusha as well as sites at Alacahöyük and Karatepe with full-colour reconstructions, this is an intriguing glimpse into the history of an empire which at its height rivalled the Egyptians and Assyrians. It concludes with an examination of these sites as they survive today, information that will appeal both to history enthusiasts and tourists visiting the area. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W Cover price $18.95.

Volume 74 - 1st printing. "Japanese Castles AD 250-1540!" Written by Stephen Turnbull. Art by Peter Dennis. Dr Stephen Turnbull is internationally recognised for his research into and writing on Japanese military history. Here he applies his scholarship to an account of the evolution of Japanese defensive architecture and engineering, from early earthworks through to wooden and earth castles and, finally, the emergence of the stone towers that are so characteristic of the samurai. He also plots the adaptation of Japanese castles to accommodate the introduction of firearms. With unpublished photographs from the author's private collection and full-colour artwork, including detailed cutaways, this is an essential guide to the fascinating development of Japanese castles.Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W Cover price $18.95.

Volume 75 - 1st printing. "The Forts of New France!" Written by René Chartrand. Art by Brian Delf. 'New France' consisted of the area colonized and ruled by France in North America. This title takes a look at the lengthy chain of forts built by the French to guard the frontier in the American northeast, including Sorel, Chambly, St Jean, Carillon (Ticonderoga), Duquesne (Pittsburgh, PA), and Vincennes. These forts were of two types: the major stone forts, and other forts made of wood and earth, all of which varied widely in style from Vauban-type elements to cabins surrounded by a stockade. Some forts, such as Chambly, looked more like medieval castles in their earliest incarnations. René Chartrand examines the different types of forts built by the French, describing the strategic vision that led to their construction, their impact upon the British colonies and the Indian nations of the interior, and the French military technology that went into their construction. Softcover, 64 pages, PC/PB&W Cover price $18.95.