Seven Pillars of Wisdom

by T. E. Lawrence Narrated by Ralph Lister

Overview

The Seven Pillars of Wisdom is T. E. Lawrence's memoir of his involvement in leading a portion of the Arab revolt against the Ottoman empire during the first World War. The Ottomans had joined the side of Germany and the Central Powers in the war, and Britain hoped that a successful revolt would take them out of the war effort. Britain had also promised the Arabs that England would recognize a single Arab state. With the support of Emir Faisal and his tribesmen, T. E. Lawrence helped organize and carry out attacks on the Ottoman forces from Aqaba in the south to Damascus in the north.

This memoir is a travelogue, philosophy treatise, and an action novel. It details Lawrence's movements and actions during his two year involvement in the Arab revolt, and his thoughts-and doubts-during that time. It's a gripping tale made famous by the movie Lawrence of Arabia, and one that Winston Churchill called “unsurpassable” as a “narrative of war and adventure.”

Editorial Reviews

Library Journal

Join Lawrence (1888–1935) in his 1917–18 campaigns against the forces of the Ottoman Empire. This abridgment, skillfully narrated by British actor James Wilby, derives from the 1926 print edition of a work Winston Churchill called "one of the greatest books ever written in the English language." Wilby draws the listener into Lawrence's desert adventures and personal observations, managing to avoid melodrama when reading his descriptions of torture, battle, and death. Strongly recommended for listeners of military history, autobiography, travel narrative, or Arab history. [More info at www.csaword.co.uk.—Ed.]—J. Sara Paulk, Fitzgerald-Ben Hill Cty. Lib., GA

—J. Sara Paulk

NOV/DEC 97 - AudioFile

Lawrence’s famous autobiographical history of the Arab wars of liberation from the Ottoman Empire during WWI is difficult to follow in this severe abridgment. The deeper historical milieu has to be known in detail by the listener for a full understanding. Nevertheless, Irish actor Jim Norton’s voice aptly expresses this weary, steely, cultured Englishman with too much integrity for his times. Scenes of pain and horror are dryly presented, but Lawrence’s anguish at governmental double-dealing comes clearly through. As usual, Naxos punctuates the narrative with well-chosen selections of stirring classical music. D.W. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940174928770
Publisher:	Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Publication date:	07/19/2022
Edition description:	Unabridged

Videos