Seven Pillars of Wisdom: A Triumph
by T. E. Lawrence
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Read in January, 2008
Considered a classic of military history, Seven Pillars of Wisdom is the story of World War I's Turkish Theater from the Arab/English perspective. It's not a traditional history, and indeed Lawrence disavows any intent on writing history. What is the book then? Well, it's a memoir littered with bits of military history, philosophy, and pseudo-religious musings. Don't take this as anything but a somewhat romanticized, openly biased account of one man's journey through a war. And, ultimatel...more
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This is one of the best -- very well written, a very bright guy. His own troubled mind, and the things that ground on him, come through pretty clearly.
Mainly, a very young man thinking through how to give quiet encouragement and leadership to Arab leaders -- after he identified the ones with promise -- in their efforts to be free of the Turks. Risking his own life constantly in the process. (During the First World War, of course.)
It reads as a clear explanation of what the Islamists a...more
Mainly, a very young man thinking through how to give quiet encouragement and leadership to Arab leaders -- after he identified the ones with promise -- in their efforts to be free of the Turks. Risking his own life constantly in the process. (During the First World War, of course.)
It reads as a clear explanation of what the Islamists a...more
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Read in January, 2005
This is an amazing account of Lawrence's experiences in Arabia during WWI, and one of my favorite books of all time. His vivid and tireless description of the Arabs, the war and the desert combined with an intimate view into his moral struggles provides an unparalled kathartic read. His exhausting description can seem to get monotonous at times but whether intentional or not this style "works" for writing about the desert. It is not a "quick" read, but dreamy and wondering...more
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Read in January, 2000
recommended to John by:
my Grandmother in the early 1980's
An amazingly complete book that leaves you feeling that you have actually read something and learned something worthwhile.
T.E. Lawrence was undoubtedly the archetypical eccentric, but blessed with a wisdom and passion that few are lucky to experience.
I came to this book a lot later than I ought to have done. It was recommended to me by my grandmother many many years ago.
T.E. Lawrence once came to Wolverhampton where my grandmother worked as a waitress. She served his table and was so...more
T.E. Lawrence was undoubtedly the archetypical eccentric, but blessed with a wisdom and passion that few are lucky to experience.
I came to this book a lot later than I ought to have done. It was recommended to me by my grandmother many many years ago.
T.E. Lawrence once came to Wolverhampton where my grandmother worked as a waitress. She served his table and was so...more
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i would read this book again if i could find a copy that didn't have that ugly orange cover with the portrait of lawrence. big mike in the wood, if you are out there i want my copy back.
the obligatory T.E. Lawrence money quote:
“All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds, wake in the day to find that it was vanity; but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dream with open eyes, to make it possible.”
Lawr...more
the obligatory T.E. Lawrence money quote:
“All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds, wake in the day to find that it was vanity; but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dream with open eyes, to make it possible.”
Lawr...more
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For some inexplicable reason, I've been rather captivated by the idea of "Lawrence of Arabia" ever since he appeared as one of the characters Indy met in "The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles" TV series back in my early years... I'm hoping I can find this at the library, or very cheap used, as I doubt I will be interested in reading it in its vast (and lengthy) entirety. But, I do feel I owe it to myself to figure out what the heck it is about this guy that has beckoned all t...more
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Read in August, 2007
recommends it for:
Historians, political science junkies, and anybody who likes to read about crazy people
Mark Twain once said, "A classic is something that everybody wants to have read and nobody wants to read."
I've known the story and even owned the movie for a long time, but I figured I needed to hear the story from Lawrence himself. The book is exciting and of course tells the story of the Arab revolt in great detail. What makes the book more than history is Lawrence's inclusion of his overwhelming personality and personality defects. This is not a dry history lesson; it is a pers...more
I've known the story and even owned the movie for a long time, but I figured I needed to hear the story from Lawrence himself. The book is exciting and of course tells the story of the Arab revolt in great detail. What makes the book more than history is Lawrence's inclusion of his overwhelming personality and personality defects. This is not a dry history lesson; it is a pers...more
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Read in January, 2003
recommends it for:
Lawrence fans, Arabian revolt buffs
Lawrence doesn't write in a style that's easy to read, let's get that cleared. His narrative is confusing, his style is a burden and in this book he insisted on detailing every camel they ever saw and every sandstorm to blow by them, but some main events like battles and campaigns are often quite lost.
However, it is a book written by Lawrence of his side of the Arabian revolt and he gives a fair background story to how things came to be this way so at least descriptions don't come out of the bl...more
However, it is a book written by Lawrence of his side of the Arabian revolt and he gives a fair background story to how things came to be this way so at least descriptions don't come out of the bl...more
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Read in October, 1976
This book has been one of my most prized books for a three decades or more. I read it shortly after the movie with Peter O'Toole and Omar Sharif came out and it was a stunning look at the real story behind the movie. As often is the case, the story he tells is richer in detail and meaning that he placed on events personally. He had a wry sense of humor that shines through in interesting ways. I found the editorial notes especially interesting that were published with it. It's been a long time bu...more
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fairly heavy going at first but an amazng story when you get into it. Eventually devlops into a nail biting recounting of guerilla warfare behind the lines. Fans of the movie will appreciate the far greater depth particulary for example the full story of the massacre at Tallah and why the Arab army took no prisoners that day. It is also an interesting study of the psycological stresses soldiers are subjected to, and Lawrence has some wry observations on different national characteristics.
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This is a tough, very dense read, but worth a go. I've owned a copy for 2 years and still haven't finished it. I like to pick it up and mull over a few chapters every now and then. However, it is an excellent book, and gives a great insight into the modern Middle East. I recommend reading it in conjunction with a biography about T.E. Lawrence.
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هفت رکن خرد خاطرات لورنس از عربستان است دو جلده و من که هنوز جلد اولش رو خوندم بی نهایت لذت بردم عربستان جای عجیبی بوده
ترجمه اش را هم مسعود کشاورز کرده است که ترجمه هایش همیشه موفقترین است
ترجمه اش را هم مسعود کشاورز کرده است که ترجمه هایش همیشه موفقترین است
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One of the all time great adventures written by one of the most enigmatic heroes of the 20th Century. Also, it has one of the best first sentences in literature. "Some of the evil of my tale may have been inherent in our circumstances."
Too bad no one in the administration read this book prior to going into Iraq.
Too bad no one in the administration read this book prior to going into Iraq.
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Read in January, 1970
Lawrence is brilliant and troubled in his quest to unite the Bedouin tribes against the Turkish Empire. He fights a bigger battle within himself between his s taunch Christian upbringing, his bastard birth and his homosexual feelings.
Passages of this book still remain ingrained in my mind after all these years.
Passages of this book still remain ingrained in my mind after all these years.
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a masterpiece of spare, sinewy prose; the deployment of which captures the enormous depth of Lawrence's understanding, perception and sympathy, detailing an important period in the rise of Arab nationalism and illuminating several significant antecedents of the current flow of events in the Middle East.
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Fun to read the source material for the Peter O'Toole movie "Lawrence of Arabia," but if you want historical facts and analysis, check out Michael Asher's biography. A prose writer, our Lawrence is not. The best part of the book is his opening poem and sassy preface.
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Read in January, 2005
recommends it for:
people moving to the desert
This is probably the most useful books I read while I was in the Peace Corps. It provided a great background to the current political situation in Arab countries. It is also an amazing adventure story and one of the most engaging history books I have ever read.
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Read in September, 1996
recommends it for:
history buffs and Englishmen
T.E. Lawrence, better known in the west as Lawrence of Arabia, gives his account of his involvement with the Arab Revolt in World War One. Fascinating true story.
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An amazing adventure. Lawrence of Arabia was a heck of a guy. I found much of it oddly amusing. The part that got me the most was where they taught the Arabs how to blow up Turkish resuplly convoys and railway lines. The Arabs sure learned that one well.
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recommends it for:
Middle-East travellers
Ther are many streches which are mindlessly boring. Lawrence isn't exactly what I would call a gifted writer. But it is Lawrence after all, and who doesn't adore him? I always take it with me when I travel, read passages and dream the dreams of heroes.
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