Bricks, Sand and Marble U.S. Army Corps of Engineers History

In this review of Bricks, Sand and Marble the reviewer finds a focused, well-documented historical volume best suited to readers interested in military engineering and Cold War geopolitics. The book traces U.S. Army Corps of Engineers work from postwar reconstruction in Greece through major construction programs in North Africa and Saudi Arabia to support for the liberation of Kuwait. With full color maps and illustrations throughout and a publication from the Center of Military History, this review recommends the book primarily for researchers, students, and architects of military history who need a regionally grounded engineering narrative.

Key Features

• Comprehensive historical scope: Covers Corps of Engineers activity from 1947 through 1991, providing continuity across decades of projects in the Mediterranean and Middle East.
• Official publication: Produced by the Center of Military History as CMH Pub 45-2-1, offering archival rigor and access to primary records and institutional context.
• Illustrated maps: Includes full color maps and illustrations throughout, helping readers visualize locations, base layouts, and regional infrastructure.
• Topical range: Details reconstruction in Greece, air base construction in North Africa, major programs in Saudi Arabia, and engineering support during the liberation of Kuwait.
• Contextual analysis: Frames engineering projects within the wider Cold War role of the United States in the region, useful for geopolitical and policy study.

Who It's For

The book is best for historians, graduate students, and professionals who study military engineering, Cold War strategy, or Middle Eastern infrastructure development; its institutional authorship and archival detail make it a strong research reference. It also suits librarians and collectors who focus on government publications and the U.S. Army in the Cold War series.

Readers seeking a popular narrative or light general-interest history may find the tone and level of detail more academic than entertaining. If you want personal memoirs, oral histories, or a pictorial coffee-table book, this focused institutional history may not match those expectations.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Authoritative source material from the Center of Military History offers reliable documentation and institutional perspective.
• Full color maps and illustrations significantly aid comprehension of engineering projects and geographic scope.
• Wide chronological coverage links postwar reconstruction to late Cold War operations, useful for longitudinal study.

Cons

• The writing and presentation reflect an academic, official history style, which can feel dense for casual readers.

Specifications

Title	Bricks, Sand and Marble: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Construction in the Mediterranean and Middle East, 1947-1991
Authors / Brand	Robert P Grathwol, Donita M Moorhus, Center of Military History
Publisher	Center of Military History (CMH Pub 45-2-1)
Series	U.S. Army in the Cold War series
Illustrations	Full color maps and illustrations throughout
Geographic focus	Mediterranean and Middle East, including Greece, North Africa, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait

Our Verdict

Bricks, Sand and Marble is a worthwhile investment for researchers and practitioners who need an authoritative, illustrated institutional history of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers activity in the Mediterranean and Middle East. Its archival approach and full color maps make it particularly good value for academic libraries and specialist readers wanting a clear link between engineering projects and Cold War policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the book include maps and illustrations?
Yes, the book contains full color maps and illustrations throughout to support the narrative.

Who published this history?
The volume is published by the Center of Military History as CMH Pub 45-2-1 and is part of the U.S. Army in the Cold War series.

What time period and regions does it cover?
It covers 1947 through 1991 and focuses on Corps of Engineers work in Greece, North Africa, Saudi Arabia, and support during the liberation of Kuwait.