The Principles of Fortification, reduced into Questions and Answers for the Use of the Royal Military Academy, at Woolwich. The Fourth Edition, with Many Additions.

LANDMANN, Isaac.

Published by London: T. Egerton, 1812

About this Item

First published 1796, last revised by Landmann's son George in 1853 for the seventh edition. All editions of this groundbreaking work of military education are uncommon, perhaps a couple of dozen locations world-wide for all, just 8 for this, inevitably uncommon at auction. Landmann (1741-1826) had taught for many years at the École Royale Militaire in Paris before his appointment in 1777 as professor of fortification and artillery at the Royal Military Academy: "A letter from the Board of Ordnance to the lieutenant-governor of the academy introduced him as a gentleman who 'has seen a great deal of service, and acted as ADC to Marshal Broglie in the last war'. He was highly thought of and was a technical scholar who had great influence over the many young men he taught for a period of nearly thirty-eight years" (ODNB). His clever adoption of the catechetical form to inculcate the basics of the complexities of fortification was ahead of its time and clearly effective. Octavo (210 x 130 mm). With 3 engraved plates at the rear. Contemporary full calf, red morocco longitudinal label to spine. Bound with half-title. Slightly rubbed, particularly at the extremities, front joint cracked to the cords but holding, front board a touch discoloured, endpapers lightly tan-burned, text mildly toned, but overall a very good copy.

Seller Inventory # 154499

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Principles of Fortification, reduced into Questions and Answers for the Use of the Royal Military Academy, at Woolwich. The Fourth Edition, with Many Additions.
• Publisher: London: T. Egerton, 1812