Fortress Alcatraz

Before becoming known worldwide as the notorious penitentiary and, more recently, a famous tourist attraction, the little island of Alcatraz in the middle of San Francisco Bay was controlled by the U.S. Army for nearly 90 years. This barren, guano-covered island surrounded by treacherous currents was ideally located to serve its dual purposes as military defense post and prison. In FORTRESS ALCATRAZ, San Francisco historian John Arturo Martini explains the fascinating history of this landmark, from its discovery and seizure to its role during wartime; its tenure as a maximum security federal prison; and finally to its present-day status as part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.