Seven Pillars of Wisdom is the autobiographical account of T.E. Lawrence - also known as 'Lawrence of Arabia' - of his service in the Arab Revolt during the First World War, published in Penguin Modern Classics. Although 'continually and bitterly ashamed' that the Arabs had risen in revolt against the Turks as a result of fraudulent British promises of self-rule, Lawrence led them in a triumphant campaign which revolutionized the art of war. Seven Pillars of Wisdom recreates epic events with extraordinary vividness. In the ...
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Seven Pillars of Wisdom is the autobiographical account of T.E. Lawrence - also known as 'Lawrence of Arabia' - of his service in the Arab Revolt during the First World War, published in Penguin Modern Classics. Although 'continually and bitterly ashamed' that the Arabs had risen in revolt against the Turks as a result of fraudulent British promises of self-rule, Lawrence led them in a triumphant campaign which revolutionized the art of war. Seven Pillars of Wisdom recreates epic events with extraordinary vividness. In the words of E. M. Forster, 'Round this tent-pole of a military chronicle, Lawrence has hung an unexampled fabric of portraits, descriptions, philosophies, emotions, adventures, dreams'. However flawed, T.E. Lawrence is one of the twentieth century's most fascinating figures. This is the greatest monument to his character and achievements, and formed the basis for the Oscar-winning film Lawrence of Arabia, staring Peter O'Toole and Alec Guinness. This edition includes maps, drawings by Eric Kennington, and index of place names and a preface by A.W. Lawrence. Thomas Edward Lawrence (1888-1935) was born in Wales and educated at Jesus and Magdalen Colleges, Oxford. He was commissioned on the outbreak of the First World War and in 1917 was officially attached to the staff of the Hejaz expeditionary force, under General Wingate. After the war, Lawrence was Advisor on Arab Affairs in the Middle Eastern Division of the Colonial Office. In 1927, embarrassed with the 'Lawrence of Arabia' legend, he changed his name by deed poll to Shaw'. In addition to this book, of which Lawrence lost almost the whole manuscript at Reading station in 1919, he wrote Revolt in the Desert (1927) and The Odyssey of Homer (1935), a translation in prose. If you enjoyed Lawrence of Arabia, you might also like Wilfred Thesiger's Desert Sands, available in Penguin Classics. 'I am not much of a hero-worshipper, but I could have followed T.E. Lawrence over the edge of the world' John Buchan, author of The Thirty-Nine Steps
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The foundation for our present crises in the Mideast was laid at the close of the Great War. Lawrence was, of course, intimately involved in the Arab Revolt and their betrayal by the Imperial powers in the aftermath of the War. This book is the starting point for any understanding of today's Mideast. More than that, it's a book of high adventure, well-told.
oddjohn
Jul 15, 2010
Rediscovering a classic
Recently I was reminded of this book while reading a history of wartime deception in military tacics. I remembered reading about T.E. Lawrence's "Seven Pillars of Wisdom" when I was younger. This book is a glance back at history not seldom discussed in contemporary education. A great read.
WilliamC
Nov 26, 2009
EXCELLENT
Very good read, gets you alot of middle east culture and what was there then versus now. It may surprize you, it did me.
NOLA
Sep 4, 2008
Finding an old friend
I adore this book. Many years ago when I was 13 years old, I found a copy of this in a wonderful old book store. I kept it for 40 years, picking it up from time to time and finding things I'd missed or was too young to understand the first time I read it. Hurricane Katrina and the subsequent levee failure brought over 5 feet of water into my house. I lost about two thirds of my books. I had put them up, but never expected so great a flood. Slowly, but surely I am replacing my favorites. To be able to find the same edition was fantastic. Thank you Alibris.
DeniseK
Aug 23, 2007
A Great Read!
Lawrence knew how to tell a tale. Whether it's all true is another matter. Maps and line drawings bring the saga to life. No question that the events, misunderstandings, and betrayals depicted here lay the groundwork for much of the current state of affairs. Timing really is everything. The presence of this particular person, with his shrewd ability to promote himself, blend into the culture, as well as write, during a crucial period for the region gives the reader an understanding which is lacking from other sources.