Seven Pillars of Wisdom & The Evolution of a Revolt

by T.E. Lawrence

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Seven Pillars of Wisdom is the autobiographical account of the experiences of British soldier T. E. Lawrence ("Lawrence of Arabia"), while serving as a liaison officer with rebel forces during the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Turks of 1916 to 1918. In 1919 he had been elected to a seven-year research fellowship at All Souls College, Oxford, providing him with support while he worked on the book. In addition to being a memoir of his experiences during the war, certain parts also serve as essays on military strategy, Arabian culture and geography, and other topics.

Lawrence re-wrote Seven Pillars of Wisdom three times; once "blind" after he lost the manuscript while changing trains at Reading railway station. Lawrence acknowledged having been helped in the editing of the book by George Bernard Shaw. In the preface to Seven Pillars, Lawrence offered his "thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Shaw for countless suggestions of great value and diversity: and for all the present semicolons".

Thomas Edward Lawrence (1888-1935) was a British archaeologist, military officer, and diplomat. He was renowned for his liaison role during the Sinai and Palestine Campaign, and the Arab Revolt against Ottoman Turkish rule of 1916-18. The breadth and variety of his activities and associations, and his ability to describe them vividly in writing, earned him international fame as Lawrence of Arabia—a title used for the 1962 film based on his First World War activities.

Genres: History, War, Military Fiction, Asia, Nonfiction, Biography, Autobiography

442 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 22, 2015

About the author

Thomas Edward Lawrence, British soldier, adventurer, and writer, who, known as "Lawrence of Arabia," from 1916 led the revolt against the Turks to 1918 and later wrote The Seven Pillars of Wisdom , an account of his adventures, in 1926.

The professional world came for Thomas Edward Lawrence. In 1922, he used John Hume Ross, the name, to enlist in the royal air force, which discovered and forced him. Afterward, he took T.E. Shaw to join the tank corps in 1923. The royal air force in 1925 eventually let him back.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T._E._L...

Reviews

[Adrian Faloon · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want a primary source, for a snapshot of how Arabia was a century ago, then the middle of this book is for you. Part 5: Marking Time, is synopsis of how Lawrence saw the political and social environment in which he found himself.

In many ways the book was fairly well represented by the film. Lawrence spends a lot of time describing the various landscapes he traversed. He's honest about his aloofness, his differences from the Arabs and equally from the British. He shows a genuine affection for the people(s) he fought with, and makes clear his discomfort of the deceptions he made to ensure Allied victory. This is where the film diverges for the books narrative. I found Lawrence to be a good officer, loyal to his commanders and compatriots in the Army. I did not read him as excessively belligerent or insubordinate; unlike how I viewed him from the Peter O'Tool depiction.

There are times when I found his philosophical musings hard to follow though. Lawrence sometimes disappears on a tangent, for what can be quite long passages. Which I suppose reflect his state of mind, and I applaud him for keeping them in; but it does make the book hard going at times. However, I really enjoyed his descriptions of the various military engagements. His writing style picks when there's action.

I enjoyed this book. Lawrence obviously has a keen understand and delight in the power of words. My quote is from the end of chapter eighty six, roughly two thirds of the way through the book:

"We should have more bright breasts in the Army if each man was able without witness, to write out his own despatch."

[Jim Dulin · Rating 5 out of 5]

While waxing poetic to the extent of being misinterpreted occasionally, Lawrence understood how to relate to other cultures effectively. He saw the need to accept cultural differences in the pursuit of mutual interest. Had our leadership understood Lawrence and listened to Lansdale, we might have let the Vietnamese do poorly what we could have done perfectly. Wait! We didn't do it perfectly.

This is a great story that should be studied by all national leadership.

I enjoyed reading it very much. Thanks.

[Daryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite a tricky read in places (long, a bit tedious at times, a bit odd occasionally, not easy to keep track of everyone, etc.) but worth persevering and really well written in parts and an interesting insight into a unique individual as well as into interesting times that had lasting consequences.

[RICHARD CLARK · Rating 3 out of 5]

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Having seen the film, I was interested in the source material. The Seven Pillars was a romantic title but, frankly, I missed any definition thereof. Lawrence is highly educated and has a huge vocabulary. He is a great observer of the desert and it's geology. Without that subject, the book could be condensed to one-third of its length.

[Alastair Savin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finishing this book felt like the end of an era. I started this book when I was recovering from my broken ankle and before I’d met several people who I’m about to go on holiday with.

I’ve dipped into this book only off and on over the years on kindle which is why it’s taken me so long. I got the book out from the library in October and have finished the second half since then.

Whilst this book maybe could do with a bit of editing, and some sentences are a bit obtuse, it also contains arguably the most beautiful writing I’ve read. Lawrence’s descriptions of the desert, his journeys and battles give brilliant insight into an alien world filled with people with completely different perspectives and attitudes to life than my own. There are a few chapters that would make excellent stand alone short stories.

I’m melancholic to have completed this task.

[George Shirtcliffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very unique book. On its surface, it's a fantastic first-hand account of the Arab Revolt and its history, as well as simply a great story of adventure. The beauty of this book, however, comes from the complexity of its narrator. Lawrence is tormented by the guilt of playing both sides and he often devotes large passages/chapters to elucidating this internal struggle. On top of this, he was a highly, highly intelligent figure, and the book is a fascinating look at how his mind worked. One chapter describes, in great detail, how he devised his strategy for atypical warfare while plagued with fever in a desert tent, which was a real highlight. Anyone who enjoyed the film will find great value in this book.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoroughly honest, at times heart wrenching, account of himself, the war (the Arab Revolt, which I would suggest was anything but a sideshow) and the people. I cannot attempt an academic appreciation of what I believe must be one of the great accounts of human conflict: I know far too little. His acknowledgment, early on, of the rank and file (those that will never be given mention) and the huge part they played is admirable. For me, wishing to understand the middle-east this was difficult to put down. I will read it again, probably more than once. It’s easy to get caught up in the courage, hardship and endeavour. A real person with real frailties: an immense man.

[Mike Harnish · Rating 5 out of 5]

More acurate than the movie is Lawrence's own account of his adventures. The movie was good, but the truth is better than fiction.

[Izabella · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a great war book by a great warrior.
He writes down all kinds of things related to war: inconvenience, hunger, traveling, thinking, etc. which makes me think he was a great man, took care of his warriors and live stocks and all.
But war is war, men's game.
So it took me a while to be able to digest it page by page.

[Charlotte Holloway · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read but not the for the faint hearted. It took a lot of effort to get through this book. A rather long winded but insightful read about the Middle East's history and the role that we as a country had to play. Uncomfortable at times as our country's true intentions were revealed. A good read for anybody with an interest in the history and current political instability in Middle East.

[Thomas P. Cushman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most unusual!

Fascinating, detailed, beautifully written. Very valuable history. This autobiographical record of the Arab revolt and WW1 fills in many gaps in my study of history.

[Max Eisenhardt · Rating 5 out of 5]

gay guys used to WRITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!