The Essential T.E. Lawrence

by T.E. Lawrence, David Garnett (Editor)

The Essential T.E. Lawrence is really two books in one. Not only does it provide a judicious and wide-ranging selection of his best writings, it also offers readers the fascinating life story of the man known to the world as Lawrence of Arabia. With selections chosen by David Garnett, and anintroduction by the renowned Lawrence scholar Malcolm Brown, this book represents every aspect of Lawrence's work, containing material not available anywhere else. It begins with the eloquent letters the young aventurer from Oxford University wrote as he traveled from Britain to France and then tothe Middle East, and ends with the final telegram thirty years later just before his ill-fated motorcycle ride from Bovington Camp to Clouds Hill. In between we meet Lawrence the archeologist, intelligence officer, soldier-in-the-field, polemicist, and diplomat; it is an unforgettable portrait ofone of the premier adventurers of the twentieth century. Reading The Essential T.E. Lawrence we experience again the dramatic twists--the incredible highs and the equally profound lows--of his remarkable career.

Genres: Nonfiction

700 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1963

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

[Fachrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

The actual edition I'm reading was published in 1956 by Penguin Books. 335 pages, with preface by David Garnett. I cannot find it, so I chose this edition because it is very similar and seems to be the updated version of my edition.

*Review*
T.E. Lawrence was one of those figures who existed in my cultural periphery. I often heard or saw his name, but I never had any urge to actually find out who he is. That is, until I saw the TV movie A Dangerous Man: Lawrence After Arabia, which is about his time in the Paris Conference trying to make Britain honour her promise to give the Arabs independence. The movie impressed me so much that I went ahead and look Lawrence up.

I am so glad that out of all books about (and by) Lawrence I read this first. Well, second. First thing I read was of course his Wikipedia page, to give me a brief summary of his life and his works. But Wikipedia does not count, so.

Anyway, I am glad I read this first because the book provides a comprehensive sample of Lawrence's writings and thus allows the readers to see Lawrence himself as reflected in his writings. The book is divided into four parts. The first is a patchwork portrait of him, which is a short biography with comments from people who knew him. The next three parts are taken from his writings: letters to friends and family and acquitances; articles and reviews; and of course his own books, principally Seven Pillars of Wisdom: A Triumph and The Mint. The three parts are divided based on subject and chronology: archaeology, war and diplomacy, and finally the royal air force.

The letters, articles, and excerpts from his books are interspersed beautifully, showing a clear progression from a young man focused on digging up relics from the past to an officer leading raids against the Turks while deep inside being tortured by his "betrayal" to the Arabs and finally to a man traumatised by his fame and former responsibility. The editor's notes are minimum yet always effective in providing context or necessary information. Consequently, the readers are given free insight to Lawrence without too much interference.

The only fault I found was the inclusion of his more technical writings in archaeology, architecture, and engineering, and even then the fault lies in me for not having the adequate knowledge of such things.

All in all, the title of the book perfectly sums itself up: it bears the essentials of Lawrence. It is best to read the man in his own words first before any analysis.



P.S. Was disappointed to find out that this is the only book on Lawrence that my university's library has. And by the look of the slip, it seems like I am the only one to ever borrow this book.