Hero
The Life and Legend of Lawrence of Arabia
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3.8 • 61 Ratings
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- $8.99
Publisher Description
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 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.
But who was the real man behind the "Lawrence of Arabia" myth?
A Definitive Military Biography: Go beyond the Hollywood myth and discover the real T. E. Lawrence—the scholar, soldier, and strategist whose life was more complex than the legend.The Birth of Guerrilla Warfare: Delve into the groundbreaking insurgency tactics Lawrence perfected against the Ottoman Empire, changing the face of modern warfare.Hero by Design: Explore Korda’s fascinating thesis that Lawrence, from childhood, deliberately trained himself for a heroic destiny, seizing it when the Great War provided the opportunity.Diplomat and Nation-Builder: Witness Lawrence’s crucial role at the Paris Peace Conference and his efforts to create a new Middle East, a legacy that shapes the world today.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
This magisterial biography of British soldier and adventurer T.E. Lawrence celebrates a life spent subverting authority in the most glamorous and bizarre ways. S&S editor-in-chief emeritus Korda (Ike) gives a rousing, lucid account of Lawrence's leadership of the Arab revolt against the Ottoman Empire during WWI and his diplomatic championing of Arab nationalism. But it's Lawrence's artistic bent his Seven Pillars of Wisdom is a classic of war literature and his magnetic but tortured soul that take center stage. Korda's Lawrence blends fierce ambition, monkish austerity, self-abasing masochism (sparked, perhaps, by whippings at the hands of his mother and Turkish soldiers), a disdain for higher-ranking brass, and a penchant for dominating it. After the war he tried to restrain these tendencies by enlisting as a lowly private in the Royal Air Force when he was a celebrity and confidant of government ministers. Korda perhaps exaggerates the novelty and significance of Lawrence's military exploits and makes an unconvincing stab at framing him in Joseph Campbell inspired heroic archetypes. Still, Korda's vivid portrait of Lawrence and his warring impulses captures the brilliance and charisma of this fascinating figure. 16 pages of b&w photos, 26 b&w photos throughout.
Customer Reviews
Highly recommended.
Wonderful account of the life of one of the most interesting and fascinating individuals of modern times. That said, this is also the worst electronic version of a book I have ever come across. The staggering amount of mis-capitalisations, missing spaces and other formatting errors are astounding. Even so, completely recommended for anyone interested in the life of T.E. Lawrence.
Great story,terrible print job
Did no one edit or type proof this book? The sloppy printing takes a great deal of pleasure away when reading this amazing story. Shame on this publisher.
Hagiography
Only read the sample available, the over the top hero worship by the author convinced me that i did not want to buy the book. Just read the Seven Pillars of Wisdom and make your own judgements.