The U.S.-led conquest and occupation of Iraq have kept that troubled country in international headlines since 2003. For America's major Coalition ally, Great Britain, however, this latest incursion into the region played out against the dramatic backdrop of imperial history: Britain's fateful invasion of Mesopotamia in 1914 and the creation of a new nation from the shards of war. The objectives of the expedition sent by the British Government of India were primarily strategic: to protect the Raj, impress Britain's military power upon Arabs chafing under Ottoman rule, and secure the Persian oil supply. But over the course of the Mesopotamian campaign, these goals expanded, and by the end of World War I Britain was committed to controlling the entire region from Suez to India. The conquest of Mesopotamia and the creation of Iraq were the central acts in this boldly opportunistic bid for supremacy. Charles Townshend provides a compelling account of the atrocious, unnecessary suffering inflicted on the expedition's mostly Indian troops, which set the pattern for Britain's follow-up campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan over the next seven years. He chronicles the overconfidence, incompetence, and dangerously vague policy that distorted the mission, and examines the steps by which an initially cautious strategic operation led to imperial expansion on a vast scale. Desert Hell is a cautionary tale for makers of national policy. And for those with an interest in imperial history, it raises searching questions about Britain's quest for global power and the indelible consequences of those actions for the Middle East and the world. -- Book Description.

Modern Iraq was created deliberately by the British over the seven years following their first invasion in 1914. Charles Townshend provides an informative and compelling explanation of that conquest and examines how an initially cautious strategic invasion by British forces led to imperial expansion on a vast scale.

If there's one thing Clint Adams can't abide, it's cold-blooded killing. So when some greedy claim-jumper lays low his old mining pal in Nevada's bushwhacker territory, the Gunsmith vows to bring the scurvy vermin to justice. But that's not so easy in a corrupt boomtown like Helldorado. Gold-hungry prospectors and hired gunslingers are bad enough—but the sheriff from nearby Austin is even worse! That is, until Helldorado's shapely new mayor gives Clint Adams a shiny silver star... and a free rein to clean up the town—Gunsmith style.

The idea for the story “The Scourge” came to me while I was driving through the Arizona and the California desert one late night looking at the ominous dust clouds filled with circling night hawks against the windy night sky. It looked creepy at best. When I got to my motel room on the side of the table, I read a holy bible about Matthew; Jesus who chased out the demons. I put them together and figured that anyone could be in hell so the selection of characters were almost infinite. Along with this, I would see the rail cars filled with tanks, and other military equipment crossing the desert. On one memorable occasion I noticed a rail car loaded with migrant workers crossing the same area so I decided to use that in my story. This is how the idea of The Scourge was birthed. Writing “The Scourge” I envisioned what would it take to bring The Legion that was in Matthew back into modern times. This is not a bible study story, it is a deep dark, scary novel. It has lots of violence, action, and sex within the story. Having these elements were necessary in this type of story to show how it resurfaced on Earth once more again. Without them the story would have been lifeless and dull. Plus, taking on the challenge of writing this particular story is considered The Holy Grail of all Horror Stories. The last thing I decided was to tell it from the perspective of two people who were in hell and who were given a chance to change sides. That gave the story a different twist. Many have tried to make this happen but none have really succeeded. I hope that you enjoy my story if you are a fan of the darkness.

Set in the American Southwest, "desert terror" films combine elements from horror, film noir and road movies to tell stories of isolation and violence. For more than half a century, these diverse and troubling films have eluded critical classification and analysis. Highlighting pioneering filmmakers and bizarre production stories, the author traces the genre's origins and development, from cult exploitation (The Hills Have Eyes, The Hitcher) to crowd-pleasing franchises (Tremors, From Dusk Till Dawn) to quirky auteurist fare (Natural Born Killers, Lost Highway) to more recent releases (Bone Tomahawk, Nocturnal Animals). Rare stills, promotional materials and a filmography are included.