Cold War Air Guard Towers provides a complete picture of the nationwide network of air guard towers in which thousands of volunteers searched the skies for enemy Russian aircraft in all weathers between 1950 and 1968. A national network that fulfilled a task within the international air defense of Western Europe. Of the nearly 300 objects, 70 remain: concrete towers, brick lookouts and command centers. Designed by architect Marten Zwaagstra, the concrete castellated towers are architectural witnesses of the Cold War. Their construction from precast concrete is typical of reconstruction in the 1950s. The book also tells the story of the observers on the towers, of the many ordinary citizens, men and women, who were involved in the defense and protection of our country. The book does not stop at the decommissioning of the towers in 1968, but also describes the events afterwards, from demolition to creative reuse. Personal anecdotes and eyewitness stories bring the history of the remaining towers to life. The many historical and contemporary photographs, construction drawings and maps make up a comprehensive visual narrative. Finally, a catalog of all objects ever built with type and current condition is included. Historical geographer Sandra van Lochem spent years researching air watchtowers. She works as a heritage specialist at Natuurmonumenten and publishes regularly on Cold War topics, country estates and landscape heritage.