The Last Missile Site

The Last Missile Site
An Operational and Physical History of Nike Site SF-88 Fort Barry, CA
By Stephen A. Haller and John A. Martini

The Last Missile Site is the only book to bring readers inside the only mechanically operational Nike site in the United States.

Nike Sites with nuclear warheads surrounded almost every major American city during the Cold War. Historians Stephen Haller and John Martini provide a fascinating detailed description of the physical layout of Nike Site SF-88, as well as insight about life at the battery during the Cold War from officers and enlisted who served at the site. Personal interviews with men and women who stood ready to defend their country against an anti-aircraft military attack lend further insight into the technology that predominated this era.

With its overview of the fragile peace that followed WWII to the development of the Nike-Ajax, Hercules, and Zeus missiles, to the system's final decommissioning, The Last Missile Site is an unparalleled resource of information. This is the book for history fans, military historians, park managers, and others who need to understand how these Cold War relics operated. Illustrated by the award-winning Ormsby & Thickstun Design Studio.

Big Blend Radio -John A. Martini was a featured guest on Way Back When radio on July 24, 2010. To listen to John's interview, please click here. To listen to the entire show, please click here.

About the Authors - Stephen Haller is the park historian and branch chief for Cultural Resources at the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. He was formerly the curator of historic documents at the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. He specializes in the study of shipwrecks, military history, and historic landscapes in the Bay Area. He is the author of numerous books and publications. John Martini, pictured, is a retired NPS park ranger who was curator of Military History at the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. He served as a ranger at Fort Point National Historic Site, Alcatraz Island, the Presidio of San Francisco, and Sagamore Hill National Historic Site. He is the author of numerous books and articles on military history.