Lawrence of Arabia: My Journey in Search of T. E. Lawrence
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- Create Date：2024-01-14 14:21:44
- Update Date：2025-09-07
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- Author：Ranulph Fiennes
- ISBN：1639365516
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Summary
A vivid and illuminating biography of the famed T。 E。 Lawrence， written by “the world's greatest living explorer，” Ranulph Fiennes。
As a young British intelligence officer in Cairo， archaeologist and adventurer Thomas Edward Lawrence became involved in the 1916 Arab Revolt， fighting alongside rebel forces against the Ottomans。 He made a legendary 300-mile journey through blistering heat; he wore Arab dress; and he strongly identified with the people in his adopted lands。
By 1918， he had a £20，000 price on his head。
Despite readers' long fascination in his story， Lawrence—one of history's most enigmatic adventurers—has long remained unknowable， But with in-depth knowledge of what it takes to venture into the unknown， this authoritative biography from famed explorer Ranulph Fiennes at last brings enthralling insight and clarity to this remarkable life。
As a young British intelligence officer in Cairo， archaeologist and adventurer Thomas Edward Lawrence became involved in the 1916 Arab Revolt， fighting alongside rebel forces against the Ottomans。 He made a legendary 300-mile journey through blistering heat; he wore Arab dress; and he strongly identified with the people in his adopted lands。
By 1918， he had a £20，000 price on his head。
Despite readers' long fascination in his story， Lawrence—one of history's most enigmatic adventurers—has long remained unknowable， But with in-depth knowledge of what it takes to venture into the unknown， this authoritative biography from famed explorer Ranulph Fiennes at last brings enthralling insight and clarity to this remarkable life。
Reviews
Peter Tillman
，
An interesting short biography of an enigmatic man， mostly on his role in the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Turks， near the end of WW1。 Before the war， Lawrence was working at an archaeological dig near Aleppo， Syria。 He became fascinated by Arabic culture， and fluent in that language。 When the war began， he was recruited by an old tutor to work for British Intelligence in Cairo。 Lawrence got the idea to use the Arab tribes as guerilla fighters against the Turks。 He became a charismatic war le An interesting short biography of an enigmatic man， mostly on his role in the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Turks， near the end of WW1。 Before the war， Lawrence was working at an archaeological dig near Aleppo， Syria。 He became fascinated by Arabic culture， and fluent in that language。 When the war began， he was recruited by an old tutor to work for British Intelligence in Cairo。 Lawrence got the idea to use the Arab tribes as guerilla fighters against the Turks。 He became a charismatic war leader， and a seriously strange man。The bloody details of that war make for difficult reading。 I was continually reminded of all the bad stuff going on right now， and wondered if I really wanted to read about the horrors of this conflict， more than a century ago。 As with young soldiers at war from time immemorial， he saw and did awful things。 He had to shoot an injured comrade to save him from an even worse fate， which haunted him for the rest of his life。The Arabs hoped for， and had sort-of been promised， an independent country of their own， perhaps in Syria。 But the British and French had different ideas， and carved up the former Ottoman territories to suit themselves after the war ended。 Many of the continuing troubles in the Middle East date back to this land and resource grab by the Allies。 Lawrence died young， at age 46， in a motorcycle accident back in England。 He was a fast and careless rider， half-deliberately courting death。Author Fienness was a young British officer in Oman in the late 1960s， fighting Marxist insurgents， and was inspired by Lawrence's guerilla tactics。 He's done his homework， and relates some of his own wartime experiences， which don't add much to his biography。 Though I can see why he took Lawrence for a model。For me this was a strong 3-star read。 I had never read the details of Lawrence's short life。 A strange man， and a bitter， gory war。The review that led me to read the book: https://www。wsj。com/arts-culture/book。。。（Paywalled。 As always， I'm happy to email a copy to non-subscribers。） 。。。more
Alan
，
Well written and clear portrayal of TE Lawrence 。。 affectionally known as Lawrence of Arabia。 I would have given the full five starts except that I have not read enough about the subject to judge its how complete or conclusive the author's account may be but my understanding has certainly been expanded considerably with this latest in a series of biographies on TE Lawrence。 As someone else has mentioned， the inclusion of illustrative maps would have enhanced the insight provided at various stage Well written and clear portrayal of TE Lawrence 。。 affectionally known as Lawrence of Arabia。 I would have given the full five starts except that I have not read enough about the subject to judge its how complete or conclusive the author's account may be but my understanding has certainly been expanded considerably with this latest in a series of biographies on TE Lawrence。 As someone else has mentioned， the inclusion of illustrative maps would have enhanced the insight provided at various stages and many more photos --- of which there must have been numerous --- would have been useful additions。 Congratulations however to Ranulph Fiennes -- the research involved must have been phenomenal -- leading to an informative and very enjoyable read of one of the outstanding icons of the 20th Century。 。。。more
David
，
A biography of T。E。 Lawrence interspersed with the author's personal experiences in the Middle East as a soldier。 I was always intrigued by the myth of Lawrence of Arabia， and I am glad I finally read a book about him。 Personally， I don't think the author's accounts add anything to the book， although I understand his admiration for T。E。 Lawrence。 A biography of T。E。 Lawrence interspersed with the author's personal experiences in the Middle East as a soldier。 I was always intrigued by the myth of Lawrence of Arabia， and I am glad I finally read a book about him。 Personally， I don't think the author's accounts add anything to the book， although I understand his admiration for T。E。 Lawrence。 。。。more
Donna Holland
，
An engaging fast paced read about the life of the enigmatic Lawrence 。Fiennes contrasts it with his time as a commander in the desert working in Oman in 1970 。This gives him a unique insight into what it takes to military command in that region 。 Lawrence’s inner demons are explored and I found it a fascinating read 。
RobBram
，
An easy read for those interested in the exploits of Lawrence of Arabia during WW1。 A good overview account of a complex character struggling to find himself。 I found Ranulph Fiennes analogies to his own experiences in Oman distracting from the main narrative， brief to the extent of insignificance within the context of the subject matter。 The publication would have benefitted from better more detailed maps to accompany the text。 Many of the places referenced in the book not appearing on the map。 An easy read for those interested in the exploits of Lawrence of Arabia during WW1。 A good overview account of a complex character struggling to find himself。 I found Ranulph Fiennes analogies to his own experiences in Oman distracting from the main narrative， brief to the extent of insignificance within the context of the subject matter。 The publication would have benefitted from better more detailed maps to accompany the text。 Many of the places referenced in the book not appearing on the map。 All in all an enjoyable read。 。。。more
Nils Mattisson
，
I was familiar with general history of the the Arab revolt and the Sykes Picot agreement that carved up the Ottoman empire between Britain and France—but that didn't take away in the slightest from this portrait of Lawrence as a person。 He is a truly extraordinary and deep character， battling his own demons while simultaneously uniting the Arab tribes against the Turks and helping to tip the momentum in the First World War towards the western powers。 It's a remarkable story which reads like fict I was familiar with general history of the the Arab revolt and the Sykes Picot agreement that carved up the Ottoman empire between Britain and France—but that didn't take away in the slightest from this portrait of Lawrence as a person。 He is a truly extraordinary and deep character， battling his own demons while simultaneously uniting the Arab tribes against the Turks and helping to tip the momentum in the First World War towards the western powers。 It's a remarkable story which reads like fiction and it would be hard to believe were it not so well documented。Anyone who holds the view that individuals don't change the course of history should read this account。 It's hard to see how anyone but Lawrence could have accomplished the deeds he did。 Perhaps with the exception of his friend Winston Churchill it's also hard to imagine anyone whose early life better equipped them to take on the particular challenge history had in store for them。 Lawrence is a legend for a reason and a hero even by modern standards。 He's well worth your time。 。。。more
Julian Walker
，
A cracking read about one of the most incredible characters in recent history。 The author offers great insights into his driving forces （and demons）， while using his own experiences to add color to the ways of the Middle East， in his own highly readable style。This is a superb history of the region， seen through the eyes and acts of one of the most unorthodox soldiers and statesmen we have seen。A superb book and hugely engaging read。
Kevin Orrman-Rossiter
，
In reviewing non-fiction books I find it useful to discriminate between the subject of the book， and the object， the book， that the author， the editors and publisher market to us。 Here the book is on a fascinating personality， Lawrence of Arabia。 The book itself， （authored by famed British explorer and adventurer Sir Ranulph Fiennes） is both derivative and self-indulgent。 There are many books about T。 E。 Lawrence。 So when a new book comes onto the market a reader should expect something more tha In reviewing non-fiction books I find it useful to discriminate between the subject of the book， and the object， the book， that the author， the editors and publisher market to us。 Here the book is on a fascinating personality， Lawrence of Arabia。 The book itself， （authored by famed British explorer and adventurer Sir Ranulph Fiennes） is both derivative and self-indulgent。 There are many books about T。 E。 Lawrence。 So when a new book comes onto the market a reader should expect something more than just a rehash of what has already been published。 Even if there is no new evidence or illumination of the story， at least a novel perspective needs to be offered to the reader。 Ranulpf Fiennes offers one in his introduction to this book， “And yet with the benefit of my experience in Oman， I believe I can offer a unique perspective on this fascinating life。” Earlier in the same introduction Fiennes had thought to mention “there are some interesting parallels between us”。 So I was expecting something unique， something insightful into the First World war experiences of T。 E。 Lawrence。 I was to be sadly disappointed。For first hand experience of Lawrence’s ‘war in the desert’ the autobiographical accounts in either his monumental epic Seven Pillars of Wisdom （1926）， or if that at 584 pages seems a little daunting， then the abridged version， Revolt in the Desert （1927）， （a leaner 326 pages） are where to go。 These cover a brief period in Lawrence’s life， from when he was 27 through to 30 years old， from the beginning of the desert revolt in the Hejaz in May 1916 to the ‘hollow triumph’ of the Arabs capturing Damascus from the Ottoman Turks hours ahead of the British and French forces in September 1918。 So， with Fiennes’ （quoting from the published book blurbs） ‘detailed access to records’ and his ‘in-depth knowledge of the exploration routes and mindset of those who venture into the unknown’ are we given ‘at last’ a ‘true and full account of this mysterious adventurer’？ I argue a firm no。 Fiennes used a similar claim in his popular books on explorers Shackleton （2022） and Scott （2003）。 “No-one is better placed than Fiennes to understand what [Scott/Shackleton/Lawrence] may have experienced or to appreciate the enormity of his achievement。” As a reader I am somewhat embarrassed that a person as accomplished as Fiennes succumbs to such publishing hyperbole。The records that Fiennes uses are all secondary sources， already published biographies， and tertiary accounts， books on the war and remaking of the region post both world wars。 Although he does occasionally quote from Lawrence’s autobiographical writings and letters， none of these are ‘new’， they are quotes from already published biographies。 Nor are they examined in any detail， contrary to his claims。 In addition Fiennes cites English language references exclusively， missing the point that this sector of the war was of great French colonial importance as well as British。 In addition the ‘Arab’ and ‘Islamic’ voice is entirely missing from this book。 For a start if you read French accounts， Lawrence was seen as a sinister character in post-war France and still treated as anti-French in most biographies。 There is nothing in Fiennes account that is not already published in recent biographies such as Jeremy Wilson’s 1990 authorised biography Lawrence of Arabia， or， for a French twist， Lawrence d’Arabie by Jacques Benoist-Méchin （3rd edition 2007）。 Nothing， that is with two exceptions。 Firstly， here we are presented with gratuitous vignettes of Fiennes’ own time in Oman。 There he was part of the British Army propping up the Sultan of Oman， Said bin Taimur， from his own people。 Fighting， so that the Sultan and the British Government could continue to reap obscene oil revenues while impoverishing the Omani people。 His self-gratifying reasons for continuing to be a British soldier in Oman are naïve。 His reminiscences add no value to understanding the political dynamics of early twentieth century Middle East politics， nor to the desert warfare of the time。 Fiennes’ comments do the opposite， illustrating his own military ineptness and political immaturity。 For example， Fiennes finds no irony nor fascination that while he was propping up a despot， Lawrence was fighting for Arab （including the Hejaz， Syria， Lebanon and Mesopotamia） independence under the Emir of Mecca， Sharif Hussein， from all colonising attempts。 While Lawrence fought for Arab independence， even while a serving British officer， numerous British factions fought for varying versions of Arab protectorates， including the Government of India who wanted British control of Mesopotamia （mostly modern day Iraq and Iran） as a granary source for India。 In the post-war time Hussein’s oldest son Ali lost control of the Hejaz to the rival， and British supported， Ibn Saud family， thus creating modern Saudi Arabia， while Hussein’s other sons Abdullah and Feisal became kings of newly created Jordan and Iraq respectively， and modern Syria and Lebanon became a French mandate。 Lawrence was passionate about this independence。 Fiennes barely comments。Secondly Fiennes adds his own fictional gloss to the story。 This I can excuse as par for the course in film accounts such as David Lean’s 1962 epic biographical adventure drama film Lawrence of Arabia， starring Peter O’Toole as Lawrence。 Fictional gloss is an expected component of an ‘adventure drama’ film。 This really has no part in a biography that claims to be a ‘true and full account’。 So， put aside this book by Fiennes。 If you want a biography on Lawrence， read Wilson。 If you crave the tempo and drama of the war in the desert then Lawrence’s own words are still some of the best written in the English language。 。。。more
Peter
，
A nice read on a rainy afternoon - gentle and often insightful - I enjoyed the updated facts and came to understand the man and his many gifts while battling his anxiety and guilt。
Enda Hackett
，
It was a nice oversight but I did find the book mundane in its descriptions。 A complex character， and I think this book compounds Lawrence's complexity。 It was a nice oversight but I did find the book mundane in its descriptions。 A complex character， and I think this book compounds Lawrence's complexity。 。。。more
George
，
4。5 stars。 A very good， concise biography of T。 E。 Lawrence， ‘Lawrence of Arabia’， who excelled as a British liaison officer during the Arab uprising， 1916 - 1918。 This book mainly describes Lawrence’s time in Arabia during the 1916 to 1918 period。 He was fluent in the Arabic language and it’s dialects。 He was 5’ 5” tall。 He commanded the respect of all who came into contact with him。 A brave man who lead by example。He gained a good understanding of the Arabs， becoming a very good leader for the 4。5 stars。 A very good， concise biography of T。 E。 Lawrence， ‘Lawrence of Arabia’， who excelled as a British liaison officer during the Arab uprising， 1916 - 1918。 This book mainly describes Lawrence’s time in Arabia during the 1916 to 1918 period。 He was fluent in the Arabic language and it’s dialects。 He was 5’ 5” tall。 He commanded the respect of all who came into contact with him。 A brave man who lead by example。He gained a good understanding of the Arabs， becoming a very good leader for the Arab cause whilst being a representative of the British Government。The author provides a very good description and analysis of who Lawrence was。 A very eventful story about a most unique， interesting individual。Highly recommended。This book was first published in 2023。 。。。more
Caitlin Sumner
，
Riveting！I don't think I can say enough positive things about Sir Ranulph Fiennes' writing。 It's clear， concise， witty， and the way the two stories， his own and Lawrence's， wind together had me enthralled from the first page to the last。 This is an entertaining and easy to read narrative biography that gives you an idea of the man without bogging down every page with dates and small facts and so on。 If a fact and detail heavy book about Lawerence is what you're after then you'll want to look els Riveting！I don't think I can say enough positive things about Sir Ranulph Fiennes' writing。 It's clear， concise， witty， and the way the two stories， his own and Lawrence's， wind together had me enthralled from the first page to the last。 This is an entertaining and easy to read narrative biography that gives you an idea of the man without bogging down every page with dates and small facts and so on。 If a fact and detail heavy book about Lawerence is what you're after then you'll want to look elsewhere， but if you want to feel like you're riding across the desert at his shoulder and like you're there， part of the story， then this is absolutely a must read。 I inherited a fascination with Lawrence from my mother and to this day we will both pause at any book about him， and this one had me buying it instantly and starting it the same afternoon。 I found it a wonderful narrative that brought insight into Lawrence as a person， alive with images and emotions。 5 stars， absolutely a brilliant read。 。。。more
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lawrence of arabia my journey in search of t. e. lawrence