Fortress Alcatraz [Paperback]

Arturo John Martini (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 15, 2004

Before becoming known worldwide as the notorious penitentiary and, more recently, a famous tourist attraction, the little island of Alcatraz in the middle of San Francisco Bay was controlled by the U.S. Army for nearly 90 years. This barren, guano-covered island surrounded by treacherous currents was ideally located to serve its dual purposes as military defense post and prison. In FORTRESS ALCATRAZ, 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.

A painstakingly researched history of Alcatraz by former national park ranger and noted Alcatraz historian John Arturo Martini.

Lavishly illustrated with 150 diagrams and archival photographs, including rare 1869 photos by Eadweard Muybridge.

Of the many books written on Alcatraz, this is the first to detail the island'¬?s nearly forgotten but fascinating military history.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

* A painstakingly researched history of Alcatraz by former national park ranger and noted Alcatraz historian John Arturo Martini.

* Lavishly illustrated with 150 diagrams and archival photographs, including rare 1869 photos by Eadweard Muybridge.

* Of the many books written on Alcatraz, this is the first to detail the island’s nearly forgotten but fascinating military history.

About the Author

JOHN ARTURO MARTINI is a native San Franciscan, is a lifelong researcher into the history of the American West and specializes in historic preservation. He was a national park ranger for more than 25 years and served for many years at the Presidio of San Francisco as curator of military history for the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. He is the author of several books and articles on San Francisco military history and is currently working on an exhaustive history of all buildings remaining on Alcatraz. He lives in Fairfax, California, with his wife and a pair of pygmy goats.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Ten Speed Press; Revised edition (August 15, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580086268
• ISBN-13: 978-1580086264
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 0.5 x 10 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #491,518 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply great!, December 31, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Fortress Alcatraz: Guardian of the Golden Gate (Paperback)

For the first time, the fascinating story of the U.S. Army's nearly 90 years on Alcatraz comes to life - coastal guns, Civil War and San Francisco, army family life on the island, and tales of the military prison. John Martini describes the Rock in a lively manner and gives us an exciting history, well-illustrated with rare 19th-century photographs." Erwin N. Thompson Historian

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More than a prison, October 27, 2010

By 

J. DURHAM "Pacific sailor" (Kaneohe, Hawaii) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fortress Alcatraz (Paperback)

Not living in California, I only knew Alcatraz as a prison. That's only the tail end of the history of this rock.

I was making a trip to San Francisco with two Japanese visitors who wanted me to be the tour guide. Well, I only knew the city from a sightseeing bus in 1963 and a few brief trips over 30 years ago. I obtained Martini's book to get a flavor of the history of the rock, intending to skim it only. NOT! You can't skim this book. The many, many photos showing the various aspects of the island's history grabbed me immediately. The narrative is knowledgeable (the author was a tour guide on Alcatraz in his youth)and amusing. I couldn't put the book down, reading it from cover to cover before my trip.

The high rating I give this book is an easy call.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Additional information, September 5, 2004

By 

William G. Burlingame "Burl" (Hawaii) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fortress Alcatraz (Paperback)

Author John Arturo Martini also maintains a web site to update informational materials and publicity for the book. It's at http://www.fortressalcatraz.com