Lawrence unveiled
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This is yet another splendid book by Asher, with a very different and somewhat unique approach to biography writing. As with most of his books, Lawrence is well paced, thoroughly documented and displays an interesting understanding of and insight into the nuances of the character who was otherwise very troubled and complex.
Asher's approach to biography writing differs markedly from most other authors. The approach adopted in Lawrence is to base it on "Seven Pillars of Wisdom" and then build around that with supporting facts and material. Asher has been fortunate to have access to the family archives and personal correspondence of Lawrence thus enabling him to portray a better and clearer picture of the man as well as the haunting complexities of his character.
Uniquely, Asher combines this traditional approach to biography writing with then jumping on a camel and taking the same tour as Lawrence from the Hejaz to Aqabah and from there through Palestine and to Damascus, often in harrowing conditions. This allows Asher to reveal when Lawrence was likely to have been economical about the truth in Seven Pillars and probably put an interpretation on why that would not otherwise be available to other writers. The book is further brought alive by Asher's attempt to re-visit scenes described in Seven Pillars as well as interviewing descendants and relatives of persons who Lawrence met and dealt with. All fascinating stuff.
To enjoy this book, it is not a pre-requisite to understand the political back-drop to Lawrence's endeavours, though it may help. David Fromkin's "A Peace to End All Peace" is a very good comnapnion.
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Here we go again...Another camelite dissecting Arab History
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Mr. Asher proudly points out to the reader at the outset of his book that he has "covered 16,000 miles on camel". Obviously, that makes you a top expert on the Arabian issue, especially when coupled with the ability to say 'salamu alaykom' as you wave to bedwins from your 4-wheel drive in Saudi. Same old orientalist gobbledygook on how good old Tommy Atkins comes over to Arabia and makes a nation out of camel-riding scumbags. Embarassing details regarding peadophile tendencies are cleared up by prolonged pseudo-Freudian hogwash, making Lawrence's perversion profundity at its best. Basic errors in translations from Arabic and a skewed coverage of events whereby camel anatomy get much more attention than the politics of Syria in the First World War. Please note that the rating I've given this book only applies when it's bought along with Edward Said's Orientalism. It then serves as a two-stared illustration of everything Said says. Nice camel photos though..
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good balance of history and analysis
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michael asher in some ways retraces his steps following lawrences footsteps with his pursuit of the truths behind the bravo two zero sas patrol several years later.
Lawrences story is revealed well, and Asher seems to maintain a balanced and truthful narative throughout.
it is particulairly interesting when Asher trys to recreate and analyse some of lawrences greater exploits, as an ex sas trooper fluent in arabic and mounted on the back of a camel, he is fairly well suited to do so.
overall a very good insight into an amazing man and his part in a huge and formative chunk in the formation of the modern middle east.
UNsuprisingly its the politicians who come out looking like the real villians, whereas Lawrences reputation as hero comes out pretty strong.
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A well balanced biography
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Asher has produced a thoroughly researchen and eminently readable biography of one of the 20th centuries most enigmatic and complex individuals. Lawrence was a man of great fortitude and quality and Asher traces many of his strengths and weaknesses back to Lawrence's early life and education. What is evident throughout Asher's work however, is his clear admiration for Lawrence and his achievements. He has visited many of the famous spots and has included some visually stunning pictures of Arabaia and it people. He succeeds in placing Lawrence correctly in his place amongst the tumult that was Arabia and gives credit where it was due. All in all it is a highly entertaining and well written book and well worth a read whether or not you admire Lawrence himself.
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Brilliant
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I am an unabashed fan of Asher and having attended a talk given by Asher on Lawrence in Hong Kong I have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of this book. It is quite superb and I think goes a long way in clearing up a number of misunderstandings, preconceptions and 'facts' about that most enigmatic and mysterious man; Lawrence of Arabia. I have read three earlier biographies of Lawrence but this is by far the best. It is the most accessible, it is the least caught up in the 'myth' of Lawrence and Asher is the only biographer to have tramped the grounds that Lawrence fought, rode and lived on in the most important phase of his life. I think that the fact that Asher is an Arabist and desert explorer of considerable repute has given this book a greater depth than the others I have read. The cult of the hero worship of Lawrence has long past but I think that some of the revelations in Asher's book on the impossibility of some of Lawrence's achievements as described in the Seven Pillars of Wisdom will raise quite a number of eyebrows and, I hope, attract some heated responses.
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