A commanding survey of shorelines and sieges, English Coast Defences traces how Britain learned to watch its waters and fortify its frontiers-from Roman boundaries to the first stirrings of nineteenth-century artillery. This is a map of ideas as much as a map of maps: a thoughtful blend of military history, illustrated history, and archaeological insight that guides the reader along the evolving drama of the English coast. George Clinch offers a concise, lucid account of coastal defences and naval history, blending historical treatise rigor with accessible storytelling. He illuminates the strategies, technologies, and consequences of fortifications along the English coast, weaving a thread that speaks to historical researchers and curious readers alike. The result is a richly textured portrait of how coastal artillery development shaped communities, commerce, and national identity. Though long out of print, this volume has been thoughtfully restored for today's and future generations by Alpha Editions. It remains more than a reprint: a collector's item and a cultural treasure, a lasting mirror of our seaside past. For casual readers seeking a solid, human entry into military history, and for classic-literature collectors pursuing a rare, beautifully preserved work, English Coast Defences offers both companionship and discovery. The book stands as a testament to nineteenth-century Britain's fortifications archaeology and to a coastal world that still speaks to naval history enthusiasts today.