The idea for writing this book developed over several years. With hindsight, however, it appears to have followed a straightforward and logical path. An early interest in the not always harmonious relationship between the Royal Navy and the East India Company Maritime Service led to the discovery of the Bombay Diaries at Exeter University. These transcripts of the documents of the Bombay Presidency of the East India Company, during the late eighteenth—early nineteenth centuries, illustrated the action and reaction of the navy's response to Bonaparte's invasion of Egypt in 1798. As most writers had concentrated on activities in the Mediterranean, this seemed an opportunity to redress the balance, at least partially, in my MA dissertation. The success of the navy and East India Company forces in thwarting French ambitions in the Red Sea led to an appreciation of the naval commander-in-chief at the time, Peter Rainier.

Further study of this seaman led to an understanding of his managerial and logistical skills, his ability to work with the officers and officials of the East India Company, his understanding of the strategic issues facing such a large arena during wartime, his talent as a leader of combined operations, and his unsurpassed knowledge of the region. And it became apparent that he put these attributes to good effect. During his unequalled eleven years on station, against strong French forces, trade grew rapidly, both within Asia and between Asia and Europe.