Seven Pillars of Wisdom (Classic non-fiction)

But it's one of those few books which has genuinely altered my perspective. I find I keep bringing it up in conversation. Whatever one may say about the veracity of the statements made -- I gather they are to some degree in doubt -- there is no doubt about the depth of Lawrence's character. He writes beautifully -- completely beautifully.

The book is a sort of odd combination of psychology, history and fabulous anecdotes -- many of the best of which did not appear in the movie, by the way...

Lawrence, of course, loved Arabia, and clearly had very profound reservations about what he did. He questioned the validity of involving himself in the future of the Arabs to the degree that he did. He clearly felt it might have future unforeseen consequences. And he spends a fair amount of time candidly exposing his own motivations and doubts.

The picture he presents of the Bedou is generous. Nevertheless, it's hard not to be left with some sense of amazement at the extent to which diplomacy was necessary and the skill with which Lawrence was able to pull it off. Auda after being insulted on one occasion has to be physically tied down for a half hour -- otherwise everyone felt sure he would have killed several people. Such people in most Western nations are locked up. But what we throw out in this culture, Lawrence regards as material that he uses to create a sort of work of art -- some of Lawrence's reservations about his actions were rooted in an awareness that it was to some degree a form of self expression. So Auda gets untied and put at the head of an army composed of men some of whom he would otherwise have shot on sight.

This is one of the greatest books I have read.


War as epic poetry   December 6, 1999
 53 out of 56 found this review helpful

This book stands alone in the history of military memoirs. The book as a literary achievement and the subject of the book as a personal achievement are both unparalleled. What Lawrence did in WWI - unite the Arab tribes in a common fight against the Turks - was remarkable not only because no one thought it could be done but also because it was done by a man with no power or influence beyond what he could inspire by his own presense. Lawrence, a scholar before the war working as a mapmaker for the British army, was about as far removed from anyone's ideas of a military hero as could be. He nevertheless did the impossible and that story, no matter who tells it, is as fascinating as any that ever came out of warfare.

Equally fascinating is the book itself. A blend of truth and evasion, the book is told in a beautiful lazy style that suggests it had been thought out with the vast Arabian desert and ancient way of life in mind. It is helpful to have read another account of Lawrence's life, just to be sure of what is happening when he chooses to be vague, but the beauty of the writing and the insight of the keen intelligence from which it springs, is a great delight to experience.

Even more amazing is to realize that after this monumental book was completed, Lawrence left the complete manuscript - the only copy - on the London subway and had to recreate it from scratch using just his notes. This is a remarkable testiment to both his focus when he needed it, and his tendency to be frequently apart from the real world. A remarkable man. A remarkable book. Unique and worthy to be read and enjoyed.


ABSOLUTELY AMONG THE TEN BEST OF THIS CENTURY   October 30, 1998
 13 out of 17 found this review helpful

As a student of history, the Middle East has always held a special place in my heart. As Lawrence himself says, the Oriental mind seeks ideals, nevermind the impracticalties involved. Western thinking, especially today, will take the comfortable path every time. If it is expedient,involves profit or feels good to the senses, the West will BUY it. Lawrence tried to show us that the Arab nomads ( not necessarily the townspeople ), grasp a vision and pay no attention to how much pain and suffering may be involved. The idea must be lived-out.

I felt that the chapter dealing with King Fiesel's camp life was the finest of any book of the recent past. One could appreciate the King's burden and almost smell the cooking and hear the hustle and bustle in the war tent.

Those who do not fully appreciate this wonderful gift to us would do well to unplug all electronic devices in their life for a few months and fast a few days a week. Then, take a few long walks and read the book again before your blisters heal and before sittng- down to large meals. Finally, imagine that you are living under the oppression of a distant power, as your parents and their parents have been. You will only then begin to come to love The Seven Pillars of Wisdom and the author, as I do.


This book is most remarkable for its personal quality.   July 26, 1998
 1 out of 3 found this review helpful

Seven Pillars is an amazing epic of one man's struggle to define himself in two different societies. It certainly is not the best book in style-the language is often too exaggerated and florid-yet, I enjoyed this book tremendously because he was able to show his sincerity about his ambitions. Like any good autobiography, Lawrence was able to show the reader his passion and quixotic individuality in the novel.