Old Forts of the Great Lakes Sentinels in the Wilderness

A fascinating account of the military posts and forts of the Great Lakes from the 1600s to the American Civil War. Full of engrossing information about the construction and history of these sentinels in the wilderness around which the historical currents of a fledgling United States swirled. Details the roles they played as hubs of trade, military activity, and social life at the edges of empire. Some twenty Great Lakes forts can still be seen, and the author clearly describes each as it is today and tells how history shaped it. Richly illustrated with photographs, rare drawings, prints and maps of these important sites of Great Lakes history.

Jim Barry's history of the maritime disasters of the Great Lakes is well researched and documented. It includes 149 black-and-white photographs of wrecks from the late 19th century as well as the 20th century. The author includes a comprehensive bibliography, notes, and an index. James Barry made his first voyage on a lake freighter at the age of eight, and soon afterward learned to sail in a Mackinaw boat. His interest in the Great Lakes continued through a career as a Regular Army Officer, a university administrator, director of an arts organization, and editor of a quarterly review. Seven of his previous books have dealt with various aspects of the Lakes. Barry's other published books include: Ships of the Great Lakes: Georgian Bay, The Sixth Great Lake; The Fate of the Lakes; The Battle of Lake Erie; The Great Lakes and Georgian Bay an Illustrated History. Barry's newest title, Old Forts of the Great Lakes: Sentinels in the Wilderness, continues the tradition of comprehensively researched and dramatically presented titles about the Great Lakes and their history.