Military barracks played an important part in the social as well as the military history of Britain.

They have served many purposes, being homes, training establishments and recruitment depots, and were meant to impress (and, at times, overawe) the local population as well as foreign enemies. Some towns, such as Aldershot and Colchester, were almost defined by their barracks.

This book looks at the buildings themselves, from early times to the twentieth century, and describes the life that was led in the barracks by the soldiers and their wives.