The History Press [New Releases]

Georgia was once part of a much larger region of the Southeast claimed by Spain and known as La Florida. After the failure of Lucas Vasquez de Ayllon's settlement in 1526 on the coast of Georgia, French Huguenots established a small fort at Port Royal Sound and another along the St. Johns River. Thus began Georgia's tradition of building stalwart military fortifications—a practice that has spanned centuries. Discover who emerged victorious after Savannah's Fort Pulaski was bombarded for over thirty hours by Federal troops during the Civil War and why Fort Oglethorpe was constructed in 1902 within the confines of Chickamuaga Park. Military historian, archivist and seasoned author Alejandro de Quesada explores the breadth of Georgia's forts from the colonial and antebellum eras to the Civil War and modern era.

Around two hundred million years ago, geological forces produced an expansive grove of rocky caverns and outcroppings atop Lookout Mountain. It was not until the twentieth century, however, that this awe-inspiring citadel evolved into a nationally recognized tourist attraction when Garnet Carter and his wife, Frieda, developed the natural marvel into the Rock City Gardens we know today, an enchanted tribute to fairytales and a breathtaking homage to nature. Join Rock City expert Tim Hollis as he guides you through the origins of the site's most fascinating spots, including Fairyland Caverns, See Seven States and Lover's Leap. Also learn the story behind the world-famous 'See Rock City' marketing campaign, as well as the steep challenges the landmark has faced in an often volatile tourism industry. Perhaps the only aspect of Rock City more enchanting than its physical beauty is the fairytale story that surrounds it.