Twenty-Seven Articles

by T.E. Lawrence, John Hulsman (Introduction), David Rhodes (Afterword)

Twenty-Seven Articles is Lawrence of Arabia’s classic set of guidelines on military leadership in the Middle East. The 100th anniversary edition features a new introduction by foreign policy expert John Hulsman and a new afterword from CBS News President David Rhodes, addressing the articles’ lasting lessons.In 1916, T.E. Lawrence was deployed to the Arabian Peninsula to aid with the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire. It was the middle of World War I and the British command was throwing its weight behind the long-rebellious southern territories of the Ottoman Empire. Lawrence had extraordinary success fighting alongside the coalition of Arab revolutionaries, and his story has since become legend. Worried that Lawrence would die on the battlefield and that his knowledge would vanish with him, British command asked Lawrence to write out a series of guidelines on his own tactics and teachings.Twenty-Seven Articles , the text of Lawrence’s guidelines, has become required reading for military leaders. Lawrence’s deployment was the West’s first modern involvement in war in the Middle East, and his campaign held myriad lessons for future generations. Despite being a century old, the articles are deeply prescient on the challenges America has faced in its wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Terse and to the point, Lawrence’s articles begin on the battlefield but their value extends well beyond, into the fields of management, leadership, and business.On the 100th anniversary of Twenty-Seven Articles ’ original publication, foreign policy John Hulsman and CBS News President David Rhodes now speak to the articles’ ongoing importance, outlining the wisdom they hold for political, military, and business leaders on into the future.

Genres: History, Personal Development, Business, Nonfiction, International Relations

64 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 14, 2011

About the author

Born Thomas Edward Lawrence, and known professionally as T.E. Lawrence, though the world came to know him as Lawrence of Arabia. In 1922, Lawrence used the name John Hume Ross to enlist in the RAF; after being discovered and forced out, he took the name T.E. Shaw to join the Royal Tank Corps (1923). He was eventually let back into the RAF (1925).

Reviews

[Ammar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short vignettes on how to deal with Arabs circa 1917

[Timons Esaias · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back in my high school years, in St. Louis, I had a very productive day at the Main Branch of the St. Louis Public Library. I'd primarily gone there to research obscure lines of the Ruy Lopez Opening in their copy of von Bilguer's Handbuch des Schachspiels. (This would lead to an incident, in a rated Federation tournament, in which a high-ranking player furiously demanded to know, "Is that even playable?" out loud, in violation of the rules, during a game. Alas for him, it was.)

I had taken the opportunity to walk the shelves a bit, and came across a book of essays (I no longer remember its title or range), two of which I read. The first was an essay on Brutus, by Edward Gibbon, of Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire fame. He took on the reputation of Marcus Junius Brutus the Younger, who most people know from Shakespeare, and just eviscerated it. Point by point he detailed the selfish, despotic, and criminal behavior of this "noblest of Romans." That was quite an eye-opener.

And then I found a brief note by T. E. Lawrence, the famed Lawrence of Arabia, explaining to his fellow British officers how to behave in support of the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire, in World War I. It was originally published in August of 1917 in the Arab Bulletin, which was a briefing paper for the Foreign Office, and the military intelligence folks. It went to about two dozen recipients, though they would often share key things from it; as would happen in this case.

The Viet Nam War was going on at the time, and I was to be in the lottery for it. Despite the clear statement by Lawrence that his remarks were "meant to apply only to Bedu" in the current theater of the current war, it was also clear to me that Lawrence was laying down some General Theories of Insurrection. And that we, the US and United Nations, were going to lose the Viet Nam War, because we were doing everything wrong. I was a bit stunned, because Lawrence was being convincing about a war he'd not even lived to observe.

This slim little volume (it'll take you well less than an hour to read Lawrence's bit), written as 27 Commandments, has an Introduction by John Hulsman, who gets it. He was on the advisory committee on our occupation of Iraq, and quit because they wouldn't listen. Lawrence was his touchstone.

There's an afterword by David Rhodes, who's a bit breezier, and perhaps not as perceptive, but that could just be my take.

Anyway, this little book is worth reading, worth owning, and historically very important.

As an example, let me quote Article 2: "Learn all you can about your Ashraf and Bedu. Get to know their families, clans and tribes, friends and enemies, wells, hills and roads. Do all this by listening and by indirect inquiry. Do not ask questions. Get to speak their dialect of Arabic, not yours. Until you can understand their allusions, avoid getting deep into conversation or you will drop bricks. Be a little stiff at first." While this is, indeed, specific, one can readily abstract this to any Intelligence situation.

Highly recommended.

[Britta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Concise and lovely thoughts on how to lead and respect a foreign army from a time when multiculturalism was just a fever dream. Everything Lawrence writes has this gentle, thoughtful intellectualism that's just a pleasure to read.

[Josef Gottlieb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wisdom in Warfare

T.E. Lawrence is quite a legendary figure for his role in facilitating the Arab revolt against the Ottoman Empire. In "27 Articles" he compiles some of the lessons he learned working with tribes in the Middle East, and given that the area has been a center of conflict for millennia, these lessons prove useful today. Much like Sun Tzu's "Art of War," "27 Articles" can be applied to areas of life beyond warfare as well. This centennial edition includes an introduction by Council on Foreign relations member John Hulsman and an afterword by president of CBS News David Rhodes.

[Jwduke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recognize Sun Tzu was writing about deception, Clausewitz was writing about processes, and Lawrence wrote about manipulation.

The introduction to this version was simple but enlightening. It is made clear Lawrence was writing a guide to nation building.

Alls I would tell you is the 27 articles are sound advice that everyone should follow, and I like this version of the book bc it is thin, small, and can fit anywhere. I like to catty the classics with me.

[Andrew McBurney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fascinating short read that offers insight into the thinking and the situation of T. E. Lawrence (more familiarly known as "Lawrence of Arabia"). The excellent introduction by John Hulsman explains the context of their genesis, while David Rhodes' afterward attempts to help it find a place in today's world.

The articles themselves, if removed from the specifics of relations with the Bedu, provide a timeless guide for leadership.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This compact and concise work, is the timeless set of guidelines developed and executed with extraordinary success by T.E. Lawrence, (Lawrence of Arabia).

I was advised that it is a classic and I agree. Although more than 100 years old, and designed specifically to aid Arabs in a revolt against the Ottoman Empire, its genesis and direction are still relevant today, not just in military situations, but also life in general.

[Ahmed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything aside, this is a book about handling people in our everyday life. It can apply to life, business or war. The articles in this book can be applied anywhere and it's because of the authors modesty that he says he is limiting these to the Bedou. I would say this teaches as much as Sun Tzu's Art of War or the Arthashastra and this does it in limited words and is easier on the mind. God Speed

[Yoginder Agarwal · Rating 4 out of 5]

T E Lawrence or rather Lawrence of Arabia was a very multi faceted man. Though these articles were for the the smaller army (arabs) against the larger one (Turkish Ottomans), the 27 articles are still a ready primer for Forces deployed into a territory where they are strangers and they could meet resistance from a home grown guerrilla band. A must read for Forces battling insurgency.

[Adam Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

Concise and Practical

Winning people takes understanding people and gaining their trust. Doing unorthodox things despite criticism can be so useful when it makes sense and is more preference than a matter of right or wrong. Amazing insight as to how Lawrence so effectively helped the Arabs help themselves in defeating the Ottomans in the First World War.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book could be called 27 Pieces of Advice for Ambassadors, or How to Get Along with Your Allies. After reading the 27 Articles it would be good to make a checklist to have handy when negotiating with allies or neutral parties. Good advice.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well deliberated, insightful, wise rules to be uphold relentlessly which distinguished a true foreign advisor that forms today's mid-east power structure. Grateful to find this or say the book found me. Lucky me 🥂

[Theodore Kinni · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fast read of historical interest. But you'll have to stretch to apply its advice, unless like Lawrence of Arabia, you're charged with helping tribal insurgents win their independence.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short book we should have read 17 years ago.

[Holman Massey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would either of the Bush administrations had read this before entering into the Middle East wars.

[Syaddad Bahalwan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good advises from the mastermind behind the Arab revolt against Turk.

[Dan N. · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.4 stars.

[batugreedisland]

oh my god.......

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Should be required reading for all Soldiers

The title pretty much says it all. Yes, it was written a while ago, and you must put it in the perspective of the author, the legendary Lawrence of Arabia, however, it provides great lessons on how to properly deal with locals in order to achieve your end state for the best of everyone. Highly recommend.

[Sam Schreiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short pamphlet on Lawrence's advice to officers working with Arab insurgents. Keen cultural insights still relevant today.

[Gary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Working in Middle East

Interesting generalizations on interpersonal communication in Middle East. Lawrence plays his cards close to the vest, until the game is over!