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Hero (Abridged): The Life and Legend of Lawrence of Arabia Audiobook
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(4.00) - 607 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
From Michael Korda, author of the New York Times bestselling Eisenhower biography Ike and the captivating Battle of Britain book With Wings Like Eagles, comes the critically-acclaimed definitive biography of T. E. Lawrence—the legendary British soldier, strategist, scholar, and adventurer whose exploits as “Lawrence of Arabia” created a legacy of mythic proportions in his own lifetime. Many know T.E. Lawrence from David Lean’s Oscar-winning 1962 biopic—based, itself, upon Lawrence’s autobiographical Seven Pillars of Wisdom—but in the tradition of modern biographers like John Meacham, David McCullough, and Barbara Leaming, Michael Korda’s penetrating new examination reveals new depth and character in the twentieth century’s quintessential English hero.
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"This book was fantastic! It meet all my expectations and more. Michael Korda is a great biographer and this might be one of his best. I knew much of T.E. but Michael's book is well researched, eventful, fair and expansive. I feel knowledgeable on this great man and recommend to all..."
— Chip (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“The strength of Hero lies in its ability to analyze Lawrence’s accomplishments and to add something meaningful to the larger body of Lawrence lore…Mr. Korda writes with authority...Sagacious and valuableMost important, Mr. Korda makes himself a credible authority on some of the most egregious misconceptions that surround Lawrence’s story.”
— New York Times -
“[A] beguiling biographyKorda is at his best describing, after the heroics in the desert, the touching antiheroics of Lawrence’s later life.”
— New York Times Book Review -
“Hero is a full-scale, major event, [and] a great biographyThe triumph of the book is Michael Korda’s brilliant, always balanced portrait of the infinitely fascinating Lawrence of Arabia, the relevance of which, now in our time, is of greater importance than ever.”
— David McCullough, New York Times bestselling author -
“An unexpectedly fresh, engagingly written biography that adds substantially to our understanding of this strange, contradictory, curiously admirable and compelling subject’s life and contribution.”
— Los Angeles Times -
“There couldn’t be a better time to brush up on the life and times of T.E. Lawrence…Korda persuasively argues that had Lawrence’s vision for a Mideast peace prevailed after the warthat deeply troubled part of the world might be a far more peaceful, prosperous region than it is today.”
— Associated Press
Hero Listener Reviews
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" I loved this book. I had no idea Lawrence had so many problems after the the war. "
— Nolan, 2/8/2014 -
" Biography. I think this would probably be very interesting if I had time to get into it (unfortunately, I don't have that time right now). "
— Tracey, 2/7/2014 -
" Fascinating man. I wished book had been longer, as it was too much to cover and so I found myself re-reading every paragraph. "
— Scott, 2/5/2014 -
" Easier to grasp and stick with than Lawrence's abridged autobiography. Includes the historic and political context and occasional necessary explanations. I found it fascinating. "
— Carol, 1/5/2014 -
" This is a good book, an excellent biography, full of information and ideas and very readable. But I found it essentially very sad: the Middle East, meddling therein and lost opportunities; the way Lawrence risked his life and lives of Arab fighters in what he knew was at least partially a lie; the "lostness" of Lawrence especially after the main war ended but also before that; his death. "
— Clara, 1/1/2014 -
" loved this book. a true masochist. "
— Curt, 12/19/2013 -
" Fleshes out the man nicely. Nice to know where David Lean's film strayed into fiction. "
— James, 12/15/2013 -
" Parts of this book were better than others, but overall I really enjoyed seeing this slice of history. I knew so little and yet it had a major impact on the world I am living in today. I want to read his own writings now. "
— Sarah, 12/11/2013 -
" very long book but interesting; well researched, learned about the Middle East before current problems "
— Janet, 11/28/2013 -
" long, drawn out and somewhat overblown lionization of a significant 20th century figure. I'm sure the truth is somewhat in-between when it comes to this controversial personality. "
— Mal, 11/20/2013 -
" Brilliant, engrossing. I have a new historical hero. "
— Robertdmorrison, 7/10/2013 -
" Very long and detailed--definitive biography with reasonable interpretations of a complex character "
— Dan, 12/7/2012 -
" Fabulous biography of an amazingly complicated and thrilling life. "
— Cindy, 8/17/2012 -
" Fascinating. Hard to put down. An extraordinary individual whose story is well worth reading, regardless of what one thinks of how the middle east was carved up before and after WW I. "
— Steven, 7/21/2012 -
" A tad long, but not one bit boring. A man who lived an extraordinary (if somewhat bizarre) life. "
— Tony, 4/11/2012 -
" Highly readable, comprehensive biography of Lawrence of Arabia "
— Nick, 2/15/2012 -
" I was totally new to the topic of Lawerence of Arabia.Interesting, but a very strange person in history. Was very interesting to see how WWI had such a large impact on the troubles that we have been dealing with in the Middle East. "
— Doug, 1/19/2012 -
" Very good biography. When Korda stated in his introduction that the men and women of the military arn't real heroes, but that TE Lawrence is, I almost didn't read the thing, but I'm glad I did. "
— Squire, 11/6/2011 -
" Fascinating man. I wished book had been longer, as it was too much to cover and so I found myself re-reading every paragraph. "
— Scott, 5/22/2011 -
" Biography. I think this would probably be very interesting if I had time to get into it (unfortunately, I don't have that time right now). "
— Tracey, 5/16/2011 -
" Well researched, highly detailed bio. Again points out that current problems in the middle east have roots that extend back centuries. "
— Dennis, 4/13/2011 -
" long, drawn out and somewhat overblown lionization of a significant 20th century figure. I'm sure the truth is somewhat in-between when it comes to this controversial personality. "
— Mal, 4/12/2011 -
" Comprehensive overview of T.E. Lawrence's life. Seemed fairly even-handed and dealt with many of the odd events in his life dispassionately yet overtly. "
— Mitchell, 3/4/2011
About Michael Korda
Michael Korda is the author of major biographies of Ulysses S. Grant, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Robert E. Lee, as well as the bestselling memoir Charmed Lives. He participated in the Hungarian Revolution of 1956 and was awarded the Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary.
About Robin Sachs
Robin Sachs (1951–2013), actor and narrator, was raised in London and trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. His audiobook narrations earned ten Earphones Awards. His acting credits include Alias, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Dynasty, Nowhere Man, Babylon 5, Diagnosis Murder, Galaxy Quest, Northfork, Ocean’s 11, The Lost World: Jurassic Park, and Megalodon.