4.28/5
Author: Scott Anderson
Publication Date: Jun 3, 2014
Formats: PDF,Paperback,Kindle,Hardcover,Audible Audiobook,Audio CD,Multimedia CD
Rating: 4.28/5 out of 12653
Publisher: Anchor
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Finalist for the 2014 National Book Critics Circle Award
in Biography
One of the Best Books of the Year:
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Christian Science Monitor
NPR
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St. Louis
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Chicago Tribune
A New York
Times Notable Book
The Arab Revolt against the Turks in
World War I was, in the words of T. E. Lawrence, “a sideshow of a
sideshow.” As a result, the conflict was shaped to a remarkable
degree by a small handful of adventurers and low-level officers far
removed from the corridors of power.
At the center of it all was
Lawrence himself. In early 1914 he was an archaeologist excavating
ruins in Syria; by 1917 he was riding into legend at the head of an Arab
army as he fought a rearguard action against his own government and its
imperial ambitions. Based on four years of intensive primary document
research, Lawrence in Arabia definitively overturns received
wisdom on how the modern Middle East was formed.
Aug 20, 2013
Maybe if more people would have listened to T.E. Lawrence after World War I then an American president wouldn’t be at the UN today speaking on the Syrian crisis as I write this review.Aug 23, 2013
Anderson's new book Lawrence In Arabia offers the benefit of introducing the cast of characters surrounding Lawrence's exploits, providing important context for the complexity of the era. Unfortunately Anderson never mentions a person critical to the success of the British WWI efforts - Gertrude Bell. She traversed the harrowing Njed Desert as did Lawrence, only she did this years before him. She learned the languages and tribal politics of the region, and her maps were used for all subsequent Anderson's new book Lawrence In Arabia offers the benefit of introducing the cast of characters surrounding Lawrence's exploits, providing important context for the complexity of the era. Unfortunately Anderson never mentions a person critical to the success of the British WWI efforts - Gertrude Bell. She traversed the harrowing Njed Desert as did Lawrence, only she did this years before him. She learned the languages and tribal politics of the region, and her maps were used for all subsequent military and intelligence work by the Arab Bureau in Cairo, where Lawrence was also a member. She transferred to Iraq and successfully navigated English colonial politics to ensure Faisal's installation as King and the British Empire's access to India. By the end of her lifetime's service for the Foreign Office she concluded the region would inevitably be governed by tribal Arab loyalties rather than any superimposed western form of government. In her diaries, she describes meeting Lawrence when he was new to archaeology on a dig in Syria, remarking that she "wasn't sure he would come to much". However they both contributed greatly to the intelligence work at the Arab Bureau in Cairo, and after WWI they both attended the Paris Peace talks and pushed for Faisal to lead the Arabs in Iraq. I find it a great pity that her name is so often omitted as a key figure from histories of the period. The Arabs themselves thought of her as "an honorary man", for her leadership, language and mapping skills, and sheer courage. I strongly believe she should have been included by Anderson as a peer of Lawrence, whose exploits were built on so much of what she had already accomplished in Arabia. Her accomplishments are well documented in numerous scholarly books about her, and in her own writings and diaries. Scott Anderson is a journalist, a professional writer, and someone who should have been aware of these published sources. So I was dismayed to find his book's index has not a single entry for this significant figure of the time in Arabia.Jan 17, 2019
Lawrence was no ordinary man: Brave, resolute, passionate, intelligent, reflective, quiet, cold, distant, stoic, conflicted, righteous, deceitful, independent, eccentric. Anderson digs into the psychology of Lawrence and the constant mind games he was engaged in as much as his military exploits. While Lawrence is the main story, Anderson weaves in and out of several others, these include: Aron Aaronsohn – A Jewish agronomist living in Syria turned spymaster to help the British in hopes of Lawrence was no ordinary man: Brave, resolute, passionate, intelligent, reflective, quiet, cold, distant, stoic, conflicted, righteous, deceitful, independent, eccentric. Anderson digs into the psychology of Lawrence and the constant mind games he was engaged in as much as his military exploits. While Lawrence is the main story, Anderson weaves in and out of several others, these include: Aron Aaronsohn – A Jewish agronomist living in Syria turned spymaster to help the British in hopes of establishing a Jewish homeland in Palestine. William Yale - A Standard Oil of New York agent who secured oil concessions in Syria then becoming an American intelligence agent in Cairo. Curt Prüfer – A German intelligence agent. Djemal Pasha – The Ottoman governor of Syria. With all these characters and many more we learn about Ottoman rule of its Arab territories, the Armenian genocide, Turkish and Arab fighters and their harsh tactics, British controlled Cairo, the British bureaucracy, French diplomacy, horrendous British military tactics, the Jewish settlers, Standard Oil of New York, the Arabian desert and much more. True to the book’s title, we see how the modern Middle East formed. The book starts off slow as Anderson lays the groundwork and introduces the key figures, but with that work done the story takes off. My notes below focus solely on Lawrence.Sep 27, 2013
Was Lawrence of Arabia the man you thought he was?Aug 14, 2013
For those wanting to read about Lawrence of Arabia, STOP, read the title again & flip the title about so it reads “War, deceit, imperial folly & the making of the modern middle East” – which features Lawrence IN Arabia – Now don’t be put off by that opening gambit, Just wanted to make it clear as to what the book is about as probably like many folk you would gravitate to this book at the mention of Colonel TE Lawrence AKA Lawrence of Arabia? Yes TE Lawrence is the major player & used For those wanting to read about Lawrence of Arabia, STOP, read the title again & flip the title about so it reads “War, deceit, imperial folly & the making of the modern middle East” – which features Lawrence IN Arabia – Now don’t be put off by that opening gambit, Just wanted to make it clear as to what the book is about as probably like many folk you would gravitate to this book at the mention of Colonel TE Lawrence AKA Lawrence of Arabia? Yes TE Lawrence is the major player & used subtly to sell the book which I have no problem with as he does feature heavily in the geopolitics of the time.Jul 21, 2014
I found this a fascinating look at World War I in the Middle East. Mr. Anderson basically looks at the war through the experiences of four people. They are a British Archeologist - T.E. Lawrence – better known as Lawrence of Arabia, an American oil man - William Yale, a minor German Diplomat – Curt Prufer and finally a Jewish Palestinian agronomist-Aaron Aaronsohn. In telling the story of these four men, the author attempts to explain how World War I created the modern Middle East. While I found this a fascinating look at World War I in the Middle East. Mr. Anderson basically looks at the war through the experiences of four people. They are a British Archeologist - T.E. Lawrence – better known as Lawrence of Arabia, an American oil man - William Yale, a minor German Diplomat – Curt Prufer and finally a Jewish Palestinian agronomist-Aaron Aaronsohn. In telling the story of these four men, the author attempts to explain how World War I created the modern Middle East. While Lawrence’s story is the main storyline, the other three men’s tale is also fascinating. I found Prufer’s story particularly fascinating. A frustrated minor official Germany’s Cairo Embassy; during the war he rose to be Germany’s chief intelligence office in Constantinople.Dec 02, 2013
'Lawrence in Arabia' is a well-researched and well-written book.Jul 21, 2013
This is a fascinating book, for the most part well written. While the key character is T. E. Lawrence, the book is formally structured as an examination of the roles of and sometimes interaction among four characters: T. E. Lawrence (of Arabia), Curt Prufer (umlaut over the u), Aaron Aaronson, and William Yale.Aug 08, 2013
As I write this review, the horrors of the civil war in Syria fill the headlines and the US is considering yet another disastrous intervention in the Middle East. Scott Anderson, following the celebrated figure of TE Lawrence through the deserts of Arabia, has written an excellent history of how the debacle began – Britain and France scrambling over the "Great Loot" of the collapsing Ottoman Empire; their perfidy toward the Arabs they had encouraged to revolt, including the portentous Balfour As I write this review, the horrors of the civil war in Syria fill the headlines and the US is considering yet another disastrous intervention in the Middle East. Scott Anderson, following the celebrated figure of TE Lawrence through the deserts of Arabia, has written an excellent history of how the debacle began – Britain and France scrambling over the "Great Loot" of the collapsing Ottoman Empire; their perfidy toward the Arabs they had encouraged to revolt, including the portentous Balfour Declaration that set the stage for Israel's disenfranchisement of Palestinians; and the origin of the US "tradition of fundamentally misreading the situation in the Middle East... that the American intelligence community would rigorously maintain for the next ninety-five years."Sep 07, 2014
This book is not Lawrence of Arabia but instead concerns the activities of Lawrence in Arabia as well as those of several other major characters who were determined to create a Middle East that suited their purposes once the Great War was over.May 05, 2013
This is not the David Lean film of a similar title (although its heft is close to the film's length - should come with a musical entr'acte). It's a magnificently researched tome that follows the famous T.E. Lawrence along with other notable gentlemen whose fingerprints still mark the Middle East.May 13, 2013
Although I was familiar with a lot of the subject matter, Anderson’s book proved to be quite interesting. I learned a lot about the angle played by Standard Oil of New York (Socony), more or less as amoral war profiteers (a la Krupp in Germany) and, more particularly, the players other than T E Lawrence. They seem to have been every bit as interesting and adventurous as Lawrence, albeit less driven to test themselves physically.Jul 02, 2013
Masterful, engaging historical non-fiction told through a cast of characters that are "too true to be good". A fascinating read! Anderson takes a focus on Lawrence, constantly examining the culturally accepted legends of his story, and also examines three other men in the region at the same time: an American oilman-turned-spy, a German intelligence agent, and a Zionist agronomist. A brilliant and compelling personal narrative that gives the reader a deeper appreciation for the founding of the Masterful, engaging historical non-fiction told through a cast of characters that are "too true to be good". A fascinating read! Anderson takes a focus on Lawrence, constantly examining the culturally accepted legends of his story, and also examines three other men in the region at the same time: an American oilman-turned-spy, a German intelligence agent, and a Zionist agronomist. A brilliant and compelling personal narrative that gives the reader a deeper appreciation for the founding of the Middle East. Not to be missed! ...moreMay 10, 2017
Can history / historians be objective? Or will there always be some degree of subjectivity?Aug 07, 2013
I'll spare y'all the seemingly obligatory, world weary, gently sorrowful musings as to how the Middle East ended in its current predicaments - oh, the humanity! - and concentrate on the book itself.Aug 12, 2013
This book would be a perfect semester-long study for young bucks with an interest in foreign affairs and a willingness to test themselves with knotty problems and harsh realities. Coming into the information with clear eyes and no prior understanding of the histories we have undergone in the past one hundred years, youths that imagine patterning themselves on the legendary stoic T.E. Lawrence will have an education.Jun 14, 2014
There is no time in the past one hundred years that the events chronicled in Scott Anderson's epic Lawrence in Arabia: War, Deceit, Imperial Folly and the Making of the Modern Middle East would not have astonishing and heartbreaking relevance to our understanding of conflicts in every corner of the Middle East, and by the blurry extension of artificially-created borders, South Asia. Yet, to read this book during the week that Israel launched a ground offensive in Gaza, U.S. officials declared There is no time in the past one hundred years that the events chronicled in Scott Anderson's epic Lawrence in Arabia: War, Deceit, Imperial Folly and the Making of the Modern Middle East would not have astonishing and heartbreaking relevance to our understanding of conflicts in every corner of the Middle East, and by the blurry extension of artificially-created borders, South Asia. Yet, to read this book during the week that Israel launched a ground offensive in Gaza, U.S. officials declared the Islamist State in Iraq a threat greater than al-Qaeda, and as the horror in Syria continues unabated and we commemorate the 100th anniversary of the start of World War I... well. Wow.Jun 06, 2017
This book pretty much provides the backstory of the current Middle East and how it came about. It gives us a broader picture of how the Arab Revolt and Lawrence's roll tied into other World War I campaigns. The deception of the imperial powers mainly Britain and France to secure their own imperial goals and how it has lead to the situation we mostly find ourselves in today.Oct 26, 2013
A few years ago I participated in a bike ride in Beer Sheva in the south of Israel. One of the points we stopped at, was the British Cemetery from WW1. This cemetery has 1240 British Empire soldiers buried in it. The leader of our group explained about the place and about the battles near Beer Sheva in WW1. I was quite surprised. What the British army included people from Australia, New Zealand, India and other places? What… the Turkish army that stood against them actually had German officers? A few years ago I participated in a bike ride in Beer Sheva in the south of Israel. One of the points we stopped at, was the British Cemetery from WW1. This cemetery has 1240 British Empire soldiers buried in it. The leader of our group explained about the place and about the battles near Beer Sheva in WW1. I was quite surprised. What the British army included people from Australia, New Zealand, India and other places? What… the Turkish army that stood against them actually had German officers? What … Beer Sheva was finally conquered by a cavalry charge? I suddenly noticed that I know very little about WW1 at all and the battles in the Middle East specifically. Lawrence in Arabia filled a big gap in my knowledge. I had heard bits of pieces of the events, especially the ones in Palestine. This book gives an interesting account of the activities of T.E. Lawrence (A.K.A Lawrence of Arabia) before, mainly during and after WW1. The book describes the reason and political interests for the WW1 activities in the Middle East and their effect on the war and on the future of the area. It is always interesting for me to read about my land from an outsider point of view and a much broader point of view. I have always been fascinated with Bedouins and spent considerable time with them on camel treks and in their villages in the Sinai dessert. The descriptions (and pictures) of the Bedouins in this book showed me that they actually did not change much, and the same charm they had 100 years ago in the desserts of Arabia still remained in my encounters with them (of course the Bedouins I spent time with were not at war and did not kill anybody – I am talking about the tranquility, the hospitality and charm) . This book, with its amazing description of events, with its deep analysis of the political backgrounds, with its fascinating discussions of the personal points of view, with its rich scenery and its photographs really left me hungry for more information about WW1. ...moreJul 10, 2014
This is a first-rate, readable biography by an author who knows how to tell a good story without sacrificing scholarship or research. While focusing on Lawrence's astonishing path, he also traces three parallel characters - a German spy, an American adventurer in the employ of Standard Oil Company, and a Zionist activist who initiates, with some difficulty, a espionage ring. This methodology adds context - not to mention color - to the complicated wheelings and dealings surrounding the "Arab This is a first-rate, readable biography by an author who knows how to tell a good story without sacrificing scholarship or research. While focusing on Lawrence's astonishing path, he also traces three parallel characters - a German spy, an American adventurer in the employ of Standard Oil Company, and a Zionist activist who initiates, with some difficulty, a espionage ring. This methodology adds context - not to mention color - to the complicated wheelings and dealings surrounding the "Arab Revolt" during World War I. Amazingly, Lawrence seemed to be at the center of it all. Anderson does a remarkable job of moving the story along and bringing to life the myriad, diverse characters of this complicated tale. He is able to shed light on the motivations of the various figures, whose conflicting goals came crashing together in Arabian middle east. All of this in a compelling narrative, that is virtually a page-turner. But it is much more than just a good story. Anderson cuts through myths and lore, including Lawrence's sometimes self-serving autobiographical Seven Pillars. He also notes actions where Lawrence understates his incredible impact. He exposes the myth of the supposed atrocities against Jews in Jaffa, which was widely used to gain sympathy for Jewish ambitions in Palestine. The book provides a good background for understanding how we got to where we are in the Middle East. It's probably the best account written of Lawrence's remarkable adventures in Arabia. It's that rare read where you increase your knowledge significantly, while having a good time. ...moreMay 01, 2014
The book is HEAVILY detailed in every day minutiae of TE Lawrence and his peers. The subtitle "... the making of the modern middle east" is a bit misleading.Dec 04, 2013
I haven't been able to stop thinking about this since I finished it - basically all I want to read now are books exactly like this one. It's extremely engaging and the character studies are especially fascinating given the huge personalities involved. The book becomes increasingly painful to read as the revolt progresses and the surrounding web of lies deepens. So many what-ifs, though Anderson raises good points that under no circumstances could there have been an idyllic outcome. Still, it's I haven't been able to stop thinking about this since I finished it - basically all I want to read now are books exactly like this one. It's extremely engaging and the character studies are especially fascinating given the huge personalities involved. The book becomes increasingly painful to read as the revolt progresses and the surrounding web of lies deepens. So many what-ifs, though Anderson raises good points that under no circumstances could there have been an idyllic outcome. Still, it's hard to see the missteps and missed opportunities laid out when we already know the outcome.Dec 30, 2013
A well written overview of T. E. Lawrence's contributions to British and Arab WW I victories in Western Arabia and Syria. Scott Anderson focuses on the Middle East but he also does a good job of outlining events in Europe. Not knowing much about WWI I was shocked by the scale of the killing. How little did those in power value life to sacrifice hundreds of thousands of lives in such futile battles? The arrogance which led to such bloodshed is shown to have extended to foreign policy as British A well written overview of T. E. Lawrence's contributions to British and Arab WW I victories in Western Arabia and Syria. Scott Anderson focuses on the Middle East but he also does a good job of outlining events in Europe. Not knowing much about WWI I was shocked by the scale of the killing. How little did those in power value life to sacrifice hundreds of thousands of lives in such futile battles? The arrogance which led to such bloodshed is shown to have extended to foreign policy as British and French diplomats divide and redivide spoils of a war not even close to being won. Maybe something similar happens during every war.Mar 08, 2014
This is a splendid book on WWI, and also about Middle Eastern history, and also about the history of espionage. It sheds a great deal of light on the subsequent century.Aug 22, 2013
Lawrence in Arabia, the Making of the Modern Middle East is an outstanding attempt of popular history of the middle east during World War I. By focusing on four men: T.E. Lawrence of the British, Curt Prufer of the Germans, the Zionist Aaron Aaronsohn and the American oil manager, William Yale, the reader is taken down a path that is at once extremely complex, yet because this book is personality driven, made more simpler for contemporary readers.Take your time and choose the perfect book.
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