San Francisco historian John Arturo Martini explains the fascinating history of this landmark, from its discovery and seizure to its role during wartime; its tenure as a maximum-security federal prison; and finally to its present-day status as part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. This book is also lavishly illustrated with 150 diagrams and archival photographs, including rare 1869 photos by Eadweard Muybridge.
From forts to blockhouses, garrison houses to trading posts, stations to presidios, missions to ranches and towns, this work provides a history of the primary fortifications established during 400 tumultuous years in what would become the United States of America. Under each state's heading, this substantial volume contains alphabetized entries with information regarding each structure's history. The earliest forts established by the Danes, Dutch, English, French, Portuguese, Swedes and Mexicans and by the temporary appearance of the Russians are listed. The colonial American forts, many of which were previously established by the European powers, are covered in detail. Beginning with the American Revolution, each of the American military fortifications, militia forts, settlers' forts and blockhouses is listed and described. Helpful appendices list Civil War defenses (and military hospitals) of Washington, D.C.; Florida Seminole Indian war forts; Pony Express depots; Spanish missions and presidios; and twentieth-century U.S. forts, posts, bases, and stations. A chronology of conflicts that paralleled the growth of the United States is also provided, offering insight into the historical context of fort construction.
In words and photographs, this book captures the most famous -- or infamous -- aspect of the island's history, its years as a maximum-security federal penitentiary. Called variously "Uncle Sam's Devil's Island, " "Hellcatraz, " and other fearsome names, Alcatraz had a reputation among convicts as the prison of last resort.
From the earliest colonial settlements to Cold War bunkers, the North American continent has been home to thousands of forts and fortress structures. Fortress America surveys the broad sweep of fortifications throughout North America-from seacoast forts of the late eighteenth century to wooden inland forts built to defend against Native American, English, French, or Spanish attack; from Civil War-era coastal and inland waterways forts to the Great Plains' forts of the Old West; from World War II subterranean bunkers to Cold War concrete missile silos. The text of Fortress America is complemented with never-before-published photographs, and extraordinary drawings, cut-aways, and diagrams illustrating the design and structure of American forts.
Offers a look at the life of the children who grew up on this infamous island with their families throughout its long and diverse history as a military prison, maximum security prison, and site of a Native American uprising, enhanced with period photos, interviews, and first-hand accounts.
"This collection of photographs is at once beautiful and haunting. It captures the unique mood of this small but fabled rock anchored off of that small but fabled city of San Francisco. Anyone who knows of the legend of Alcatraz will want this book." Gray Brechin, historical geographer and author of Farewell, Promised Land and Imperial San Francisco "The photographers were not just tourists to 'the Rock.' Their unique access enabled them to become participants in an evolving history and address the experience of over two hundred years of human occupation on this fascinating island." Mark Klett, photographer, After the Ruins, 1906 and 2006: Rephotographing the San Francisco Earthquake and Fire
The War Criminal's Son brings to life hidden aspects of the Civil War through the sweeping saga of the firstborn son in the infamous Confederate Winder family, who shattered family ties to stand with the Union. Gen. John H. Winder was the commandant of most prison camps in the Confederacy, including Andersonville. When Winder gave his son William Andrew Winder the order to come south and fight, desert, or commit suicide, William went to the White House and swore his allegiance to President Lincoln and the Union. Despite his pleas to remain at the front, it was not enough. Winder was ordered to command Alcatraz, a fortress that became a Civil War prison, where he treated his prisoners humanely despite repeated accusations of disloyalty and treason because the Winder name had become shorthand for brutality during an already brutal war. John Winder died before he could be brought to justice as a war criminal. Haunted by his father's villainy, William went into a self-imposed exile for twenty years and eventually ended up at the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota, to fulfill his longstanding desire to better the lot of Native Americans. In The War Criminal's Son Jane Singer evokes the universal themes of loyalty, shame, and redemption in the face of unspeakable cruelty.
This book traces the intriguing history of Alcatraz Island, located off the coast of San Francisco, from the earliest years of Spanish exploration to the present day. Highlighting the unique geographical features of the island, it shows how Alcatraz went through many changes, being used over the years as a military facility, a notorious federal prison widely believed to be escape-proof, as well as the site of American Indian uprisings.
TC'S TALES is a collection of short stories ranging from murder and mystery to humor. "Jacqueline Found" outlines the problems of a young unmarried mother giving up her baby daughter for adoption and their final reunion as adults. "Lights Out" details the chaotic life of the Foley family living in a lighthouse on Georgian Bay. "Pushed" is a mystery thriller about an architect falling from a 60 story building. Was his death accidental or was he pushed? "Tithing" is a story about a charismatic preacher discovered as a thief. "Lobster Tales" is a humorous tale about Larry the lobster, who overcomes a disability by doing good deeds. "Checkmate" is a story about how the desire to win at any cost can lead to murder. "I'm a Piano" is a humorous story about the life story of a piano. In "Red Surge", Burton Davis has a compulsion to secretly kill anyone who annoys him. "Love Letters Lost" is a collection of letters, poems, songs and quotations exploring the meaning of love. And "Karen Calling" is a thrilling story about love, sailing, racing, hostage taking, escape and rescue.
As one of America's most notorious prisons, Alcatraz has been a significant part of California's history for over 155 years. The small, lonely rock, known in sea charts by its Spanish name "Isla de los Alcatraces," or "Island of Pelicans," lay essentially dormant until the 1850s, when the military converted the island into a fortress to protect the booming San Francisco region. Alcatraz served as a pivotal military position until the early 20th century and in 1934 was converted into a federal penitentiary to house some of America's most incorrigible prisoners. The penitentiary closed in 1963, and Alcatraz joined the National Park Service system in 1972. Since then, it has remained a popular attraction as part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
