Perspective

Lawrence, born in Wales in 1888, was educated at Oxford. He began to work for the British Museum in 1910 and was in Egypt working on a dig at the Euphrates when World War I began. He is commissioned into the British Military while in Egypt and appointed to the Hejaz Expedition Force and serves as an advisor to the Arabs during the Arab Revolt. As such, he works closely with Hussein, Ali, Abdulla, Feisal, and Zeid and the other leaders and travels throughout the area involved in different operations. He learns the Arab customs and language and dons Arab dress and becomes accepted by them as one of their own leaders.

Lawrence writes the book because he wants people to know what happened during the Arab Revolt. Since he was a participant, he is well qualified to tell the story of the war.. Lawrence is not a professional soldier...