Books by Michael A. Palmer

From the nineteenth century through the 1991 war with Iraq, this study of America's expanding role in the Persian Gulf traces the development of American commercial interests in the region and the resulting growth of military and political involvement.

In a grand history of naval warfare, Palmer observes five centuries of dramatic encounters under sail and steam, demonstrating that while abilities to communicate improved, other technologies simultaneously shrank admirals' windows of decision. As a result, naval commanders have never had sufficient means or time to direct subordinates in battle.