We are told of hardships, desert warfare, feats of personal valour, train-wrecking expeditions and other thrilling elements of such a campaign. The Seven Pillars of Wisdom has all the excitement and drama of an adventure thriller, but in essence it is a factual account of what really happened with just a gentle enhancing of the drama. Lawrence on his Brough Superior motorcycle This image afforded him a certain amount of glamour, but there were those who considered the man to be somewhat of a poseur. Dressed in a decorated flowing white Arab dress with a golden dagger, which proclaimed him an adopted sheriff, descendant of the prophet, he would ride through the desert wastes on a camel as though he was one of the nomadic tribesmen himself. It was in carrying out the challenges of this mission that he earned his soubriquet of ‘Lawrence of Arabia’. The revolt materialised under the leadership of Lawrence and Feisal, the son of one of the leaders of one of the important tribes. Lawrence persuaded them to support the British and rise against their Turkish masters so that they could procure their independence after the war. The entry of the Turks into the war on the German side brought into focus the question of the allegiance of the nomadic tribes in the desert areas. He had already acquired a vast knowledge of the Near East, especially Arabia, becoming very familiar with the character of the people, their customs and their religion. For his valiant efforts in this conflict, he became known as Lawrence of ArabiaĪt the beginning of the war, Lawrence was in the British service in Egypt. Thomas Edward Lawrence (1886 – 1935) was a British archaeologist, army officer, diplomat and author, best known for his legendary was activities in the Middle East in the First World War. As a narrative of war and adventure it is unsurpassable.’ Winston Churchill ‘It ranks with the greatest books ever written in the English language.

Author of seven pillars of wisdom