About the Author

Ron Field is an internationally acknowledged expert on US military history. Awarded a Fulbright Scholarship in 1982, he was a high school History teacher and head of department until his retirement in 2007. In 2005 he was elected a Fellow of the Company of Military Historians, based in Washington, DC, and was awarded its Emerson Writing Award in 2013. This is his fourth book for the Osprey Fortress series.

Adam Hook studied graphic design, and began his work as an illustrator in 1983. He specializes in detailed historical reconstructions, and has illustrated Osprey titles on the Aztecs, the Greeks, several 19th century American subjects, and a number of books in the Fortress series. His work features in exhibitions and publications throughout the world.

Reviews

"...this worthwhile review of an important topic is valuable for anyone interested in 19th century fortifications." --Bolling Smith, Coastal Defense Journal (February 2008) "This book explores the defensive Civil War constructs of the Mississippi River valley, focusing on Vicksburg, which boasted a network of forts, rifle pits, and cannon embrasures. Also examined are numerous other strongholds, including New Orleans, Port Hudson, New Madrid, and forts Henry and Donelson. A section titled 'Visiting the Forts Today' is included." --Laura O. Wilson, Missouri Historical Review (July 2008) "This book by Ron Field is an outstanding addition to the Fortress series and one that no student of the genre should be without." --Scott Van Aken, modelingmadness.com (November 2007) "The information on some of these lesser known fortifications and the guide value to Vicksburg certainly make this book a useful addition along with the author's other volume on Civil War fortifications." --J.E. Kaufmann, SITEO Newsletter (December 2007) "Ron Field's American Civil War Fortifications (3): The Mississippi and River Forts narrows the focus to Confederate fortifications tested during the long Federal campaign of 1862-63. Major sites of such fortification are surveyed for their military impact." --The California Bookwatch (January 2008)