Seven Pillars of Wisdom: A Triumph Summary and Reviews

Seven Pillars of Wisdom: A Triumph
by T.E. Lawrence

Seven Pillars of Wisdom: A Triumph
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Book Summary Information

Author: T.E. Lawrence
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 1991-06-01
ISBN: 0385418957
Number of pages: 784
Publisher: Anchor

Book Reviews of Seven Pillars of Wisdom: A Triumph

Book Review: "Precautionary murder" vs. "preemptive defense."
Summary: 5 Stars

Seven Pillars of Wisdom is fascinating from cover to cover. The book is on some levels Lawrence's study of himself as much as a history of the battles in which he was involved. He writes, "Any protestation of the truth from me was called modesty, self-depreciation. It always irritated me, this silly confusion of shyness, which was conduct, with modesty, which was a point of view... I was not modest, but ashamed of my awkwardness, of my physical envelope, of my solitary unlikeness which made me no companion, but an acquaintance, complete, angular, uncomfortable, as a crystal." This type of introspection is most uncommon in a military man.

Not a squeamish soldier, Lawrence was once forced into a situation in which he executed a murderer, and on another occasion he authorized "take no prisoners" after the Turks conducted one of their numerous brutal atrocities. But there were some things even Lawrence recognized as boundaries of civilized behavior best not transgressed. In the final chapters he explains why he thought better of his initial inclination to kill several petty warlords who were participating in and would in the future likely betray the Arab Revolt -- he did not want to teach his Arab followers that "precautionary murder" was a legitimate part of political struggle. One is left wondering what he would have to say about today's politicians who promote "preemptive defense" as a legitimate strategy and standing policy. At least Lawrence's terminology was far more honest and direct.

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