Casemate 76

The Magdeburg International Conference: on the Preservation and Use of major Historic Fortresses of the C19th (June 2005)

see Casemate 73, p3 for details of papers.

A magnificent Report produced in what must be record time by Dr Hans-Rudolf Neumann and his publisher. It is a large format (296x210mm) hardback book, 540pp, decidedly weighty at 2.953kg (6.5lb), printed on gloss paper, stuffed full of excellent quality photos, plans and maps (b/w).

Around 50 reports cover the essential papers, the output of the five Work Groups (30 lectures by speakers from seven European countries), the plenary discussions and the day excursion. The majority of the papers have an English translation or summary, so much can be gleaned from what was a positive and productive Conference. One paper in particular on the preparation of a book on the defences of Austrian Pula (Festung Pola) sounded an optimistic note; more so than our report on Fort Bourguignon on page 20 of this issue. Carlos Scheltema's report on the Amsterdam fortresses pictures them all snowbound, thus highlighting the outline of the more furtive ones.

Fort Edam, Zuidersee. (detail, Carlos Scheltema, 2001)

Dr Neumann and his editor and publisher Philipp von Zabern are to be much congratulated for producing such a splendid report, in such short order.

Erhalt und Nutzung historischer Grossfestungen, ISBN 3.8053.3511.3, €65.5(c£45), Verlag Philipp van Zabern, Gottelmannstrasse 13A, 55130 Mainz; www.zabern.de

Charles Blackwood.