Customer Reviews

The Diary Kept by T. E. Lawrence While Travelling in Arabia During 1911 (Folios Archive Library)

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The diary is wonderful, and Dr. Mack's "A Prince of Our Disorder, describes this year very well. I recommend that those who have not yet seen the full 1922 text edition of Seven Pillars of Wisdom get their copy of that first from Castle Hill Press in the UK, sold on their website. As Dr. Mack notes, Lawrence once admitted that his writing was at times "written with the allusiveness that hints at knowledge refusing to betray itself between the lines." It took quite a man to impress Winston Churchill.

This is a book for people who want to know more about T.E. Lawrence than just the "Lawrence of Arabia" legend. It is not a book for people who only have a passing interest in the man.
It is a slim volume that relates to one of his pre-WW1 journeys to Syria looking at Crusader and Arab castles pursuant to his interest in archeology and especially fortresses constructed during the Middle Ages. The book would be improved with a map and a glossary. Lawrence uses a number of Arabic words in his text whithout the benefit of an explanation.
For people wanting a more detailed knowledge of Lawrence there are better books. This is for someone wanting an in-depth knowledge of the man.

This book is a insight into the world at the dawn of the 20th century. This is a sweeping comprehensive factual account that should be in the collection fo any book reader.