Setting the Desert on Fire: T.E. Lawrence and Britain's Secret War in Arabia, 1916-18
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In today's climate, it makes you wonder what would have happened if we had listen to men like T.E. Lawrence?
Enjoy.
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A gripping and very accessible read
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I have to confess that, not being well-versed in the military or political history of the Middle East, I approached this book with a certain degree of trepidation. I couldn't have been more wrong. After only one chapter, I was absolutely hooked and couldn't wait to read on. Barr's narrative is at the same time both intelligent and accessible and his pacy prose combined with personal anecdotes engage the reader from the outset. His ferreting out of previously unknown evidence about Lawrence's diaries adds a sense of intrigue and excitement frequently missing from non-fiction.
My only complaint is that, whilst reading this on holiday in Greece, I discovered that the cover wilts and bubbles when the temperature rises above 40. Somewhat ironic for a book about the desert...
An excellent read and one I highly recommend.
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Gripping narrative made personal by fascinating trip in Lawrence's footsteps
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This is a very well-written book which throws a welcome light on the development of the relationship between the West and the Arab peoples. Compellingly paced and constructed, the book brings to life a lively and larger than life cast of characters, of whom TE Lawrence is just one. Barr's forceful narrative drive is enhanced by his appealing device of weaving in his own research trips through the region and the archives. Whether navigating wadis, photographing castles and train wrecks, or using CSI techniques to re-examine Lawrence's diaries, this adds a whole extra dimension to the book. It also adds a depth of understanding that helps readers who, like me, may not have a detailed knowledge of the region.
Barr has a fine historian's judgement, which he uses to good effect to provide sound analysis of events and motivations. A seriously good addition to the literature, and an interesting and timely focus on the Arab War.
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Intelligent and readable
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A truly gripping and readable book; a must for anyone with an interest (serious or passing) in the politics of the Middle East, both past and present.
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Compelling and Readable Survey
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I came to this book with only the sketchiest knowledge of the Arab Revolt, gleaned solely from one viewing of David Lean's 'Lawrence of Arabia'. Having read James Barr's interesting account of the Bow Group a number of years ago, I wanted to see how he would tackle a completely different field such as this. The result is a considerable enhancement of my understanding of the period, prompting a return to the film in the light of what I have just read.
The book's great strength for me was Barr's evident interest in the various characters, whether British, Arab, French or German, who light up his pages. The onward thrust of a tightly researched and closely written history is enlivened with numerous character sketches that give the story the feeling of the best kind of journalistic reportage. This feeling of engagement is further heightened by Barr's many references to his own travels in the region, and the clear sense that he was impelled to write his story from a fascination with the Arab world and the way its history has interwined with that of the West. Many of the events are, of course, thrilling enough in themselves, but Barr does not rely on this alone to grip the reader. As well as an excellent grasp both of the onward thrust of events in the Great War and the ambivalence of British policy towards the Arabs, he is good at going into the details of particular military offences or strategic discussions.
Current problems in the Middle East are also enlightened by Barr's take on these events, giving fascinating background to political dramas still unfolding there. It is not surprising that the name Osama Bin Laden makes its way into the index. Barr has also selected some interesting photographs to illustrate his text, as well as providing excellent maps: both were very helpful in enabling the reader get a proper hold on the narrative. I would thoroughly recommend this readable and scholarly work to anyone who wishes to know more about British involvment in the Arab Revolt and who wants to go beyond the standard, Lawrence based approach more familiar to most readers.
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