Lawrence of Arabia: The Authorized Biography of T.E. Lawrence, by Jeremy Wilson.#

Lawrence is really quite amazing and this is a great book to learn about him from. However, it can be a little bit slow, due to the insistence on covering everything that happened, rather than only the really intriguing parts. Even so, his whole life is really interesting.#

Early on, Wilson reflects how the over-hype about Lawrence has led to him to be seen as rather inconsequential. One of his goals is to show how Lawrence played a very large role in the Arab Revolt, but was not the super-hero he is made out to be. (p. 1)#

Winston Churchill wrote the following about Lawrence:#

The world looks with some awe upon a man who appears unconcernedly indifferent to home, money, comfort, rank, or even power and fame. The world feels not without a certain apprehension, that here is some one outside its jurisdiction; some one before whom its allurements may be spread in vain; some one strangely enfranchised, untamed, untrammelled by convention, moving independently of the ordinary currents of human action. [p. 4]

He refers to the fact that Lawrence never used his fame after the war.

Another person, whom Lawrence met in Egypt wrote: "[He was] an odd gnome, half cad --- with a touch of genius." (p. 174)

Robin Buxton:

'His influence is astounding not only on the misbeguided native, but also I think on his brother officers and seniors. Our here he lives entirely with the Arab, wears their clothes, eats only their food, and bears all the burdens that the lowliest of them does. He always travels in spotless white, and in fact reminds one of a Prince of Mecca more than anything. [p. 534]

When Lawrence was at Oxford, he toured Europe visiting castles. He wrote home to his parents:#

[It] does not make the least difference in style, since all my letters are equally bare of personal information. The buildings I try to describe will last longer than we will, so it is only fitting that they should have the greater space. [p. 35]

I think it is ironic that he has become so famous and will be so renowned for so long.

After this trip, he visited Syria for the same purpose. He asked advice for someone who had been and they suggested he hire a guide and a camel. He said he would walk.#

"Europeans don't walk in Syria," said Hogarth, "it isn't safe or pleasant." "Well, I do", said Lawrence. [p. 53]

When Lawrence was later traveling the Wilderness of Zin, his companion Wolley remarked, "It speaks wonders for the Children of Israel that they left Moses alive after he brought them to a place like that." (p. 140)#

Lawrence briefly returned to London at the start of the war. He wrote, "I disapprove of London on eighteen counts... London seems curiously unmoved." (p. 152) Lawrence was so busy when he was at the War Office that he sarcastically wrote, "I'm sure somebody will ask the W.O. for an epic poem on Sinai about next Friday." (p. 153)#

There is a great description of Lawrence's strategy with the Arabs around page 314.#

Lawrence felt terrible about having to tell the Arabs that their liberty was guaranteed throughout the war. Wilson remarks:#

During the remainder of the war he would often choose to place himself in extreme danger. He was wounded several times, and on many occasions was lucky to survive where others, close to him, were killed. [p. 414]

After the war, Lawrence was offered a Knighthood, which he rejected.#

He [...] recalled that he had told the King: "your Cabinet are an awful set of crooks". The King, rather taken aback, had countered: "Surely you wouldn't call Lord Robert Cecil a crook?" It seems that Lawrence agreed to this single exception. [p. 578]

Later, Feisal (the main Arab) visited England. He gave some lectures, which Lawrence interpreted. In one instance, Feisal recited the Koran, and Lawrence made an impromptu speech. (p. 593)#

Choice quotes:#

When Lawrence decided to work with the Arabs more: "I decided to go my own way, with or without orders." (p. 398)

When Lawrence was approached by Muslim Turkish troops, who turned out to be fake: "There are no gods but God, and Jesus is his prophet." (p. 510)

"I liked a particular Arab very much, and I thought that freedom for the race would be an acceptable present." (p. 544)