The Maginot Line (Paperback)
History and Guide
Imprint: Pen & Sword Military
Pages: 320
ISBN: 9781526711519
Published: 12th June 2017
Last Released: 24th January 2022
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‘Essential reading for the student of twentieth century fortification. Beautifully produced, well written, well illustrated and above all, the ideal reference book for its subject.’ Fortress Study Group
‘This combined history and guide to the Maginot Line is essential reading and reference for anyone interested in fortifications, especially those of the 20th century and Second World War.’ Military Times
‘This is a useful piece of work, combining a detailed history and a guide to the line. My own mental image for the line turned out to owe rather more to French wartime propaganda than to reality. This was a valuable read.’ historyofwar.org
The Maginot Line, the complex system of strongpoints constructed between the world wars by the French to protect against attack from Germany, is one of the most famous, extensive and controversial defensive schemes in all military history. It stretched from Belgium to Switzerland, and from Switzerland to the Mediterranean, and it represented the most advanced and ambitious system of static defences of its time. Much of this historic line – with its fortresses, artillery positions, tank traps, blockhouses, concrete bunkers – has survived and can be visited today. This invaluable handbook, which has been written and compiled by the experts in the field, is a guide to the history of the line and its major sites.
Packed with detail, maps, photographs and diagrams. I won't be looking for an alternative!
Guild of Battlefield Guides
A team of authors has produced a finely researched study of the Maginot line. The level of illustration is excellent and this must be the definitive guide to the history and locations of one of the greatest fixed fortifications ever constructed, a fascinating story – Most Highly Recommended.
Firetrench
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Military historians with a specific interest in either static fortifications or the Maginot Line itself, are likely to find this volume of interest. It may also appeal to both military and ‘civilian’ historians with a more generalist perspective. Readers interested in World War II’s European Theatre may also find it worthy of inspection Part II of the volume may also be useful to holiday-makers with an interest in the Maginot Line, while war-gamers and military modellers could find the volume’s diagrams and photographs of use.
NZ Crown Mines
This volume is impressively well-researched and full of information.
A detailed and informative book that will be an ideal guide book to take with you if you are going to visit any element of the famous line.
Robin Buckland - Military Model Scene
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About H W Kaufmann
J.E. Kaufmann is a retired teacher and presently an adjunct professor at Palo Alto Jr. College and H.W. Kaufmann, PhD, is a retired professor, and they live in the United States. Their most recent books on fortifications are The Maginot Line, The Atlantic Wall, The Forts and Fortifications of Europe 1815-1945: The Central States and The Forts and Fortifications of Europe 1815-1945: The Neutral States.
About J E Kaufmann
J.E. Kaufmann is a retired teacher and presently an adjunct professor at Palo Alto Jr. College and H.W. Kaufmann, PhD, is a retired professor, and they live in the United States. Their most recent books on fortifications are The Maginot Line, The Atlantic Wall, The Forts and Fortifications of Europe 1815-1945: The Central States and The Forts and Fortifications of Europe 1815-1945: The Neutral States.