T.E. Lawrence

by Malcolm Brown

T.E. Lawrence (1888-1935)--known worldwide as Lawrence of Arabia-- was many people in one: scholar, archaeologist, intelligence officer, guerrilla leader, diplomat, aspiring writer, and ordinary serviceman hiding under aliases from the celebrity he had first largely created and then come to despise. Illegitimate, but with aristocratic connections, an outsider yet also at ease with, and much admired by, many of his finest contemporaries, he was a man forever on the run, whether as a youth searching for fresh experience and fame, or a middle-aged figure seeking sanctuary both from his reputation and from a sense of guilt, resulting from wartime experiences from which he could never break free. Deeply religious by background, sexually ambiguous and always on the edge, he craved for peace, but was also convinced he deserved punishment.

This new biography by Malcolm Brown, a well-known authority on Lawrence, is part fast-moving adventure story, part modern morality tale, and places special emphasis on the years of the Arab revolt: the period that both made Lawrence and broke him.

Thoroughly illustrated with portraits, a rich range of photographs, letters in Lawrence's hand and extracts from his writings, T.E. Lawrence presents a compelling portrait of a remarkable man.

Genres: History, Biography

160 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Malcolm Brown is a best-selling popular military historian. Originally a television producer specialising in military documentaries, he has been a freelance historian at the Imperial War Museum since 1989. Brown has researched and written extensively on the First and Second World Wars. He is a regular contributor to BBC History Magazine, and lives in Reading.

Reviews

[Charlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lawrence of Arabia appeared as an important character in a recent novel that I read (Dreamers of the Day by Mary Doria Russell) & I was fascinated . . . so searched out a short biography on him and was not disappointed. The author is a Lawrence expert (edited his letters, has written on WWI, etc.) but the book is just an overview, 160 pages, lots of excellent photographs (some taken by Lawrence himself) included and a good job of giving a basic outline of Lawrence's life, putting it into the context of the times, and making some analysis of personality. Lawrence's life didn't end when he left Arabia after riding into Damascus (where the movie ends) -- he continued as an advisior in peace conferences for a few years afterwards, was a writer, and then tried to fit himself back into ordinary life, it seems, as a soldier. Great subject and well written book, very quick to read.

[Arcticvet · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short, well-written book that provides sufficient information about Lawrence to leave this reader with a desire to learn more about a remarkable individual and his life.

[Book Club of One · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short, easy to read introductory text devoted to the life of T. E. Lawrence. The greatest focus is on his work with the Arabs revolting against the Ottoman Turks.

[Carl Smith-owens · Rating 4 out of 5]

9.2004