Rating: 
Summary: Fame, Foibles, Flaws, and Flagellation
Review: John E Mack has written a definitive and masterful biography of T. E. Lawrence, a man of fascinating complexity. The movie, Lawrence of Arabia, portrays a "mighty hero." Lawrence's role in the Arab Revolt are put into the context of his childhood, the Paris Conference, and the RAF years. Mack does not diminish Lawrence's achievements nor does he glorify them. Lawrence's post-war years were spent escaping his fame and what he endured. His psychical scars from the war deaden him to emotion and pleasure and his idealistic romanticism turned to nihilism. Lawrence's post-war penitence and alienation lead me to believe that he suffered from post traumatic stress disorder as a result of his brushes with death and his loss of physical and emotional integrity. He sought to break through his numbness by riding high performance motorcycles at breakneck speeds through the countryside and subjecting himself to scourgings.If you saw the movie, read this book.
Rating:
Summary: Fame, Foibles, Flaws, and Flagellation
Review: John E Mack has written a definitive and masterful biography of T. E. Lawrence, a man of fascinating complexity. The movie, Lawrence of Arabia, portrays a "mighty hero." Lawrence's role in the Arab Revolt are put into the context of his childhood, the Paris Conference, and the RAF years. Mack does not diminish Lawrence's achievements nor does he glorify them. Lawrence's post-war years were spent escaping his fame and what he endured. His psychical scars from the war deaden him to emotion and pleasure and his idealistic romanticism turned to nihilism. Lawrence's post-war penitence and alienation lead me to believe that he suffered from post traumatic stress disorder as a result of his brushes with death and his loss of physical and emotional integrity. He sought to break through his numbness by riding high performance motorcycles at breakneck speeds through the countryside and subjecting himself to scourgings. If you saw the movie, read this book.
Rating:
Summary: in-depth analysis
Review: Mack leaves behind almost all rumors and speculations in this outstanding biography on one of the most misunderstood historical figures of the 20th century. His psychological interpretations of Lawrence's thoughts and physical actions were a pleasure to read.
Rating:
Summary: Fame, Foibles, Flaws, and Flagellation
Review: Mack's life of the endlessly fascinating T.E. Lawrence is examplary on all counts: exhaustive (but not exhausting), meticulously and thoroughly researched, and well-written. It's a pleasure to come across a biographer who eschews the irresponsible scandal-mongering that plagues so much of the genre today. No facet of Lawrence's life or behavior is spared, yet it is all scrupulously even handed. This is especially rewarding because Mack is a psychiatrist who provides reasoned explanations for so much about Lawrence that's only provided grist for the sensationalist mill in less-responsible hands. One of the best biographies I've ever read!
Rating:
Summary: What a biography should be
Review: Mack's life of the endlessly fascinating T.E. Lawrence is examplary on all counts: exhaustive (but not exhausting), meticulously and thoroughly researched, and well-written. It's a pleasure to come across a biographer who eschews the irresponsible scandal-mongering that plagues so much of the genre today. No facet of Lawrence's life or behavior is spared, yet it is all scrupulously even handed. This is especially rewarding because Mack is a psychiatrist who provides reasoned explanations for so much about Lawrence that's only provided grist for the sensationalist mill in less-responsible hands. One of the best biographies I've ever read!
Rating:
Summary: Pulitzer prize winning book, not in the biography area
Review: This is a biography of T.E. Lawrence that leaves all the rumors and inuendo behind. An honest look at a powerful intelect and a true hero.
Rating: 
Summary: Cardboard hero:Lawrence of Arabia
Review: Well proven to be a fraud, queer and machoist, who made up his so called exploits, Lawrence was just so much hot air that I find it inexplicable for the interest in such a bumbling, lying egomaniac.
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