From Michael Korda, author of the New York Times bestselling Eisenhower biography Ike and the captivating Battle of Britain book With Wings Like Eagles, comes the critically-acclaimed definitive biography of T. E. Lawrence—the legendary British soldier, strategist, scholar, and adventurer whose exploits as “Lawrence of Arabia” created a legacy of mythic proportions in his own lifetime. Many know … in his own lifetime. Many know T.E. Lawrence from David Lean’s Oscar-winning 1962 biopic—based, itself, upon Lawrence’s autobiographical Seven Pillars of Wisdom—but in the tradition of modern biographers like John Meacham, David McCullough, and Barbara Leaming, Michael Korda’s penetrating new examination reveals new depth and character in the twentieth century’s quintessential English hero.
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I must admit, I didn’t know much about T.E. Lawrence before this book. But as I was reading I couldn’t stop thinking about how Lawrence totally stole the plot for his life from Frank Herbert’s Dune. I mean, come on. A young man goes into the desert to try to lead the Bedouin tribes in a jihad against a technologically advanced enemy using …
I became interested in Lawrence of Arabia after reading a bit about him in The Great Silence: Britain from the Shadow of the First World War to the Dawn of the Jazz Age. This biography, which is a veritable tome, is not only an excellently researched and written look at the life (and legend) of T.E. Lawrence, but does a phenomenal job of outlining …
Larger than life
This was an objective biography of T. E. Lawrence. I enjoyed it.
Well researched with new material. Lawrence was an amazingly talented man of vision and complexity, and the writer captured his conflicted nature better than previous biographers.
Well worth the read. Maybe it should be read along with the biography of ibn Saud to properly understand where we are in the Mid East today…
This was not my style of book to enjoy.
the very best biography I have ever read. Lawrence was more than a desert rat who hiked across the sand. I never knew he was such a renaissance man. Terrific book, though I found times when it bogged down.
first part could be way more moving emotionally. Not as good as some of his other books.
The story of TE Lawrence has been portrayed in many aspects, but this book is straight forward and presents an informed view of a truly unique person. The book is long, but well written.
Very informative
I think this book about Lawrence of Arabia is far better tan previous books on the subject. The author covers associates of Lawrence with more compassion.
Excellent historical reading and the impact of TE Lawrence on the mideast in the WWI years that are still having an impact on current history of that region.
Too much detail–could have been edited better. Fascinating story, certainly.
An incisive look into the life and legacy of an extraordinary man.
There is nothing like reading history when it’s written by someone like Korda— truth can really be more amazing than fiction! Whoever is interested in history, and wanting to learn about why the Middle East is a political hotbed, TE Lawrence an incredible starting point! (Not to mention if you are a fan of one of the greatest movies ever made!)
good read with historical inspiration
A well written, well researched biography of the man who might have been the most interesting and complex figure in 20th Century history.
Great if you like history.