Lawrence in Arabia

Starred review from November 15, 2013

Anderson's (The Man Who Tried To Save the World) fun and informative popular history chronicles T.E. Lawrence's experiences in Arabia before, during, and immediately after World War I. Similar in style and quality to Erik Larson's Devil in the White City, this work tells as well the stories of three other spies: a Palestinian Zionist, a German agitator, and an American oil company employee. Their tales weave in and out of Lawrence's narrative and are also used to show what was happening in other areas of the Ottoman front of the war. Anderson takes a grounded middle view of Lawrence, staying away from the more sensational theories others have presented, making sure to differentiate between what is known and what is merely supposed. Lawrence's tale includes extensive political and military conflict related clearly and excitingly and illustrates how a "sideshow of a sideshow" has so affected the politics of the Middle East and, through it, the world. Malcom Hilgartner's clear reading allows the well-paced writing to deliver an engrossing experience. VERDICT Highly recommended for public libraries and readers who like war history or popular history. ["With strong and insightful writing, using T.E. Lawrence as a window onto the tragic history of World War I and its settlement in the Middle East, Anderson makes this complicated history both vivid and engaging," read the starred review of the Doubleday hc, LJ 6/15/13.]--Tristan M. Boyd, Westbank Community Lib., Austin, TX

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