For centuries the world’s Great Powers; along with their fleets; armies; and intelligence services; have been drawn to the Persian Gulf region. Lying at the junction of three great continents – Asia; Europe; and Africa – and sitting athwart the oceanic trade routes that link the cities of the world; the Gulf; like a magnet; has pulled superpowers into the shallow waters and adjacent lands of the 600 mile long appendage of the Indian Ocean. An observer at Hormuz at the mouth of the Gulf would alternately have watched pass in the 15th century the treasure ships of Chinese Admiral Zheng He; in the 16th century the caravels of Portuguese Admiral Afonso de Albuquerqe; in the 17th century the merchant ships of the Dutch East India Company; in the 18th to the 20th centuries the frigates and steamships of the British; and finally in the late 20th century to today; the cruisers and aircraft carriers of the U.S. Fifth Fleet. Perhaps in the future; Americans may be supplanted by the Indians; or perhaps the Chinese. In the Great Powers’ comings and goings since the 1400s; several consistent broad interests emerged. For the majority of this time; for example; the superpowers entered the Gulf region not to colonize; as the Europeans did in other places; but rather to further trade; which in the 20th century increasingly included oil. They also sought a military presence in the Gulf to protect seaborne flanks to colonial possessions further east on the Indian sub-continent and beyond (India; in fact; has long cast a shadow over the Gulf; given its historic trade and cultural ties to the Gulf region; strong ties that continue today). In their geo-political jockeying; furthermore; the Great Powers sought to deprive their rivals access to the states bordering the Gulf region. In tending to these enduring interests inside the Strait of Hormuz; the Great Powers through history concentrated their trade; political; and military presence along the littorals. Not surprisingly; their navies have played a substantive role. Imperial Crossroads: The Great Powers and the Persian Gulf is a collection of connected chapters; each of which investigates a different perspective in the broader subject of the Great Powers and their involvement with the states of the Persian Gulf. This volume concentrates on four western nations – Portugal; Holland; Britain; and the United States – and concludes with a look at the possible future involvement of two rising Asian powers – China and India.
#1047271 in BooksColor: Cream 2001-11-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.50 x .75 x 5.51l; .97 #File Name: 1590481089336 pages
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. This publication exposes many of the subhuman characteristics of much ...By Jack L. BoyleThis publication exposes many of the subhuman characteristics of much of the North African Arab population both centuries ago and even today in 2015.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Good bookBy Amy McLaughlinInteresting book hard to find. Good copy0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A tale of extraordinary courage and resilienceBy A readerFrom the moment I started reading the book to the point where I finished reading ; I just could not control my emotions. This book is absolutely captivating and a telling tale of the repugnant system of slavery. Slavery in any form or practised by anyone; may it be by the whites on the blacks or vice versa; is equally repulsive and cruel. In my opinion; slavery is the worst crime and cruelty that man can inflict upon his fellow beings; even worse than murder. The narrative abilities of Capt. Riley are quite extraordinary. This is the most moving tale of suffering and redemption I have ever read. When I first read the Dean King's version of this same story ; I felt that was a master piece and certainly the original version with its archaic English may not be readable. Boy was I wrong !This book is a compulsive page turner and the emotions it evokes in its readers minds cannot be simulated; as this is a first hand account and that too of a sufferer. Riley has put his heart into his writings and that cannot be reproduced in any copy. A BIG THANKS TO THE LONG RIDERS' GUILD PRESS as because of them we are able to read this classic. It appears Abe Lincoln was so impressed by this book that he decided to abolish slavery. Thus this book was instrumental in bringing about one of the the biggest social changes in US history with far reaching effects.
