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Seven Pillars of Wisdom

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About this listen

Although T. E. Lawrence, commonly known as "Lawrence of Arabia", died in 1935, the story of his life has captured the imagination of succeeding generations. Seven Pillars of Wisdom is a monumental work in which he chronicles his role in leading the Arab Revolt against the Turks during the First World War. A reluctant leader, and wracked by guilt at the duplicity of the British, Lawrence nevertheless threw himself into his role, suffering the blistering desert conditions and masterminding military campaigns which culminated in the triumphant march of the Arabs into Damascus.

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Public Domain (P)2012 Naxos AudioBooks Classics Military & War Veteran Creators Military Thought-Provoking Funny Inspiring
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This is not a text for anyone devoid of the ability for critical thinking! This is not a story for those who do not know that history contains ideas and viewpoints which are now very much outdated. However, if you have the sort of mind which can un-peel the narrative and seek to go beyond the obvious, then Roy McMillan's storytelling will take you on a spellbinding journey. These are the words of T.E.Lawrence, a British agent who fought a guerilla war with irregular forces and assisted in creating the mess which is the Middle East today.

If you are genuine about wanting to understand history and you want to see beyond the mythologies of the film industry and the propaganda of governments, The Seven Pillars of Wisdom is a text to test your perceptions. There are what we call today "War Crimes" in almost every chapter and this fact alone dates the text to a time when publishing the slaughter of prisoners of war would not lead you to an international court. But if your goal is to understand the motivations and moralities of the British Empire and you are prepared to look unpleasant facts in the face, this book will enlighten.

The biggest mistake with history is to judge the past by the standards we hold in the present. What this book allows is the chance to understand a past and comprehend some of the feelings of others in our present. A brilliant piece of historical literature read by a very accomplished voice actor. I have just bought more of Roy's work and he is now on my list of preferred readers.

You have to understand what you are listening to!

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Having now listened to the whole 26 hours of this I can't imagine what the point of an abridged version would be. This book is an amazing and immersive experience. I feel that the narration is probably very much in the spirit of a character such a Lawrence and one is sometimes surprised by the matter of fact way in which the sometimes horrific violence of war is described in such a measured manner. All round excellent and, for me, a good companion to Shackleton's South! and Sassoon's Sherston books which are both as well written and from the same period but set in very different theatres of struggle.

Excellent and Fascinating account of war in Arabia

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Sheer joy, flowing prose which can be forgive for its archaic vocabulary, racial and class stereotypes by future of its authors background and the time at which the events occurred. Those considerations aside a most insightful and informative work.

Exquisite

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Beautifully read unabridged and glorious. Lawrence's flowery prose given gravitas and can be enjoyed time and again.

A Triumph

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Amazing detail of the peoples and the politics of the time. A great book full of adventure

Enlightening read

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