I'm often asked what books have been published on the subject of Martello Towers, and so I have listed the most important works below.
Sheila Sutcliffe (1972) Newton Abbott: David & Charles
(First American edition 1973, Cranbury: Associated University Presses Inc.)
An inspirational book that has stood the test of time very well, despite being over thirty years old. There are a few errors in the gazetteer of English south coast towers, but this is understandable, being the first major book published on the subject and covering such a broad area.
Sheila Sutcliffe provides an overview of the Martello story from the action at Mortella Point to the construction of towers in England (on which most detail is provided) and across the British Empire, from Ireland and Orkney to Canada and the United States.
This book was present at the start of my research nearly twenty years ago; it formed the backbone of the original museum display which evolved into this website, and will doubtless remain within arm's length for many years yet.
Long out of print in the UK, the 1973 American edition can occasionally be found in new condition.
W.H. Clements (1999) Barnsley: Leo Cooper
Towers of Strength is an invaluable reference work and is the most recent comprehensive study of Martello Towers. Author Bill Clements has followed on from Sheila Sutcliffe's seminal work, not only correcting several errors, but also expanding on Sutcliffe's coverage of defensive towers across the globe by broadening the definition of 'Martello Tower'.
Two annexes in the form a gazetteer of the remaining towers of Great Britain, Ireland and the Channel Islands, and data concerning British Army guns, howitzers and mortars used 1795-1825 conclude a thoroughly-researched volume.
Telling, R.M. PhD CEng (1997) Beckenham: CST Books
The first of two interesting publications by Dr. Telling. While this this concise guide provides a brief history and an illustrated gazetteer of the surviving English towers, its real value lies in its fresh approach to the study of Martello Towers, namely through the eyes of an architect.
The author has surveyed English towers of all three types to provide detailed illustrations of tower design and geometry, from the elliptical towers of the south coast, to the ovoid 'cam-shaped' east coast structures.
Tower dimensions are also given, and compared with those previously published elsewhere, highlighting variance from tower to tower.
Telling, R.M. PhD CEng (1998) Beckenham: CST Books
The second of Dr. Telling's works, even the briefest comparison with his Concise Guide will indicate that the two are very similar, the Handbook being based on the former. The author states in his introduction that the two publications are intended to compliment each other, the Handbook concentrating more on tower design than tower description, while including additional survey data.
The gazetteer has been greatly condensed, and the book is provided in pocket-book (12cm x 21cm) format, making it useful for those walking along Martello coastlines.
As to which publication to acquire, for the coastline rambler the Handbook will suffice while the Concise Guide is more suited to the casual armchair enthusiast who wants more detail than the Handbook provides. The dedicated 'Martellogist' will, of course, want both!