Of Islands, Ports, and Sea Lanes,/i> explains the operational and strategic importance of the ports and sea lanes of Africa and the Indian Ocean during the Second World War. In addition, it offers a novel account of the war in the Indian Ocean, a busy and vital theater of military operations throughout the conflict, though one that is overlooked in most historical studies. An understanding of the significance of the Indian Ocean region, from imperial and strategic perspectives, helps bring...

A collection of drawings by the landscape artist famed for his moody portrayals of the Yorkshire moors, including his personal reflections.I am not one for pretty pictures. Perhaps when I am long gone this will be a quote that I am remembered for alongside my paintings. For you will mostly find me in the gallery on a sunny day and out on the moors when it is at its most inhospitable, for these are the days that captivate me.Ashley Jackson's Wat...

From the eighteenth century until the 1950s the British Empire was the biggest political entity in the world. The territories forming this empire ranged from tiny islands to vast segments of the world's major continental land masses. The British Empire left its mark on the world in a multitude of ways, many of them permanent. In this Very Short Introduction, Ashley Jackson introduces and defines the British Empire, reviewing its historiography by answering a series of key questions: What w...

History tells us that the Second World War broke Britain as a great power, diminishing its military strength, ruining its economy, and precipitating a striking wave of decolonization. Nationalists and new superpowers dominated the post-war landscape, and the country was on the slide. But no one knew this in 1945—the leading politicians, the top civil servants, and the most knowledgeable experts, all expected the British Empire to remain intact long into the future.How do we account...

At its peak the British Empire covered approximately one quarter of the Earth's total land area and ruled over the same proportion of the world's population: its boundaries stretched from Birmingham to Bombay, from Cairo to Cape Town, and from Winnipeg to Wagga-Wagga. In this unique book, Ashley Jackson takes the reader on a richly informative tour of the empire 'on which the sun never set', examining the representations of empire that informed the world view of hundreds of millions of peo...

A new history of the long-overlooked WWII theater in Iran and Iraq, its unrecognized significance, and its impact on society and politicsThis dynamic history is the first to construct a total picture of the experience and impact of World War II in Iran and Iraq. Contending that these two countries were more important to the Allied forces’ war operations than has ever been acknowledged, historian Ashley Jackson investigates the grand strategy of the Allies and their operations in th...

History tells us that the Second World War broke Britain as a great power, diminishing its military strength, ruining its economy, and precipitating a striking wave of decolonization. Nationalists and new superpowers dominated the post-war landscape, and the country was on the slide. But no one knew this in 1945 - the leading politicians, the top civil servants, and the most knowledgeable experts, all expected the British Empire to remain intact long into the future. There was no hint of i...

This book is to give women a different perspective on life, relationships, business, personal development, branding, and just being a better version of themselves. The flowers represent on how you die from things that no longer serves a purpose in your life. When you blossom to a beautiful flower you begin to live the life you always dreamed of by hard work and commitment. Most important consistency. It takes time but sis it’s coming. Grow every day and make the necessary steps towards you...

Lost, Travel, Found: A Compelling Story of Surviving Grief, Finding Oneself Through World Travels, & Falling Madly in Love - Indulge in an Inspirational Personal Tale of Overcoming Hardships, Caregiving, & Coming Out a Victor!Hardships have defined us in more ways than we realize... or more than we care to admit.It is through surviving life's rough patches that we find our way to off the beaten paths toward self-discovery, learning, and well-deserved triumphs.Ashl...

Two decades on from 9/11, the Taliban now control more than half of Afghanistan. Few would have foreseen such an outcome, and there is little understanding of how Afghans living in Taliban territory have navigated life under insurgent rule.Based on over 400 interviews with Taliban and civilians, this book tells the story of how civilians have not only bargained with the Taliban for their survival, but also ultimately influenced the course of the war in Afghanistan. While the Taliba...

Uniquely endowed with talent, energy and determination, Winston Churchill was, as a close wartime colleague put it, 'unlike anyone you have ever met before'.To many, he was the saviour of the nation, even of Western civilization, 'the greatest Briton' who ever lived. Others would have agreed with Evelyn Waugh who described him 'always in the wrong, surrounded by crooks, a terrible father, a radio personality'. Whatever one's view, Winston Churchill remains splendidly unreduced and ...

Ashley Jackson The Yorkshire Artist' contains a collection of paintings that have been personally chosen by the artist to bring together his personal memories and intimate reflections of the emotions and atmosphere that he has captured in each watercolour painting. As he explains, 'All artists paint what inspires them, what allows them to capture what they see with their eyes with their hands and heart. We all have differing inspirations, mediums and connections with our subject mine is th...