The Golden Warrior: The Life and Legend of Lawrence of Arabia

Rating:
Summary: A different take on Lawrence of Arabia
Review: According to Lawrence James's account, the Lawrence of Arabia most of us know is largely a myth concocted in accordance with TE Lawrence's huge ego and his overwhelming desire to present the Arabs, for whom he desperately wanted to secure the right of self-rule, in the best light. James concludes that much of what we think we know about Lawrence, including his infamous rape by the Turks, are lies. This is a very interesting book about a controversial figure.

Rating:
Summary: Good expose of Lawrence as a sick fraud
Review: In this meticulously researched book, James has debunked the myths perpetuated by Lawrence and his closet/outted admirers and hagiographers that he was a war hero that inspired much of Arab nationalism, and had a huge following in the Middle East.

These myths are exposed as pure fabrications of a sexually deviant imperialist porjecting his own perverted fantasies and obessions with Arab boys and lame justifications for the supposed begnign rule of the Brits in the Middle East.

Rating:
Summary: Giving respect to the man while pulling down the myths
Review: The author is faced with the difficult task of showing that T.E. Lawrence embellished his own deeds without taking away from what he did accomplish. While the myths about the man are interesting (the classic Lawrence of Arabia movie) the real story is far more interesting. A great book.

Rating:
Summary: Giving respect to the man while pulling down the myths
Review: The author is faced with the difficult task of showing that T.E. Lawrence embellished his own deeds without taking away from what he did accomplish. While the myths about the man are interesting (the classic Lawrence of Arabia movie) the real story is far more interesting. A great book.