Shrouded in mystery and rich with history, Alcatraz draws over a million visitors each year. This enlightening volume provides the first complete history of Alcatraz told through its architecture. In friendly illustrations and accessible text, authors Donald MacDonald and Ira Nadel reveal the design decisions that have shaped the island from its first brick and masonry fortress to the infamous concrete cellblock, to the landscape design of its contemporary gardens and bird sanctuaries. Packed with intriguing facts throughout, this little treasure allows an unprecedented glimpse into the life of the island. In a lovely cloth-bound package, this is an eminently giftable book and an entertaining look at one of the nation's most visited destinations.

Donald C. MacDonald led the Ontario New Democratic Party and its predeccesor, the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation, from 1953 to 1970, and continued to represent the Toronto riding of York South until 1982, when he resigned the seat to make way for future-premier Bob Rae.

Donald MacDonald's profile page

Ira Nadel's profile page

"Conveys a sense of the sometimes organic, sometimes engineered, evolution of Alcatraz.... A rich picture book for grownups." -- Smithsonian

"Conveys a sense of the sometimes organic, sometimes engineered, evolution of Alcatraz.... A rich picture book for grownups." -- Smithsonian

"Conveys a sense of the sometimes organic, sometimes engineered, evolution of Alcatraz.... A rich picture book for grownups." -- Smithsonian