Persian Gulf Command

Ashley Jackson is professor of imperial and military history, King’s College, London, and visiting fellow at Kellogg College, Oxford. He has published extensively on the British Empire in times of war. He lives in Oxfordshire, UK.

“Rigorously researched and comprehensive in scope, Persian Gulf Command offers startling insights into the intelligence and propaganda aspects of Britain’s involvement in Iran and Iraq.”—Houman Barekat, Times Literary Supplement“Ashley Jackson is no stranger to the history of Britain’s global war effort, having written the definitive account of the British Empire at war.”—Richard Overy, Literary Review“Jackson has produced yet another masterful and dazzling work of imperial military history.”—Timothy C. Winegard, American Historical Review“An absorbing and highly readable account of the Persian Gulf during the Second World War”—Alan Mackie, Asian Affairs“What Jackson has achieved is to paint, skilfully and readably, a much broader picture to show the strategic drama created by Rashid Ali and the mufti of Jerusalem in Iraq, combined with the earlier threat to the oilfields of Iran posed by the Soviets, then in pact with Germany.”—Antony Winn, Asian Affairs [Journal]“Assiduously researched and sensitively written, Persian Gulf Command offers us a fascinating new perspective on the Second World War - its impact on local societies in the Middle East and the paths to post-war intervention by the West.”—Richard J. Aldrich, author of The Black Door"Splendid… Ashley Jackson skilfully brings together the complex range of developments that took place in Iraq and Iran during the Second World War. His book combines thorough research, lucid analysis and colourful description.”—Evan Mawdsley, author of December 1941“A brilliant book that confirms Ashley Jackson’s place among the preeminent scholars of the British empire. Deeply researched, comprehensive and incisive, it is the must-read account of Britain’s Second World War in Iran and Iraq and its enduring consequences.”—Joe Maiolo, author of Cry Havoc“Consistently fascinating and thought-provoking… Iran and Iraq always struggle to gain centre stage in existing histories of the Second World War, yet they were not secondary theatres for those who lived or fought there. Ashley Jackson puts them unapologetically in the limelight.”—Simon Ball, author of The Bitter Sea"In this lucid work, filled with telling details and well-crafted arguments, Jackson has finally revealed the undoubted significance of Iran and Iraq to the wider war."—Niall Barr, author of  Eisenhower's Armies