Seven Pillars of Wisdom (Abridged) Audiobook

" This work contains rip=roaring battle scenes and other military matters associated with the Arab Revolt against the Turks in WW I, but is far more interesting for its depictions, through the lens of an early 20th-century Englishman, of tribal culture, politics, and life in general. Don't be put off by its Orientalist tones, for it has a lot to offer the careful reader. "

" That was hard to read (one star for that!). Lawrence describes every hill, tree and shrub, gives the name of every man he has met and depicts his clothes, the meal they shared and the jokes that were told. On top of that military theory, philosophy, ethics, and theology. Heavy stuff. What you also get: a better understanding for today's near and middle east conflicts, insight into the Arab soul, and a glimpse into the soul of a very complicated man. Five stars for this. "

" One of the most amazing stories I've ever read in my life. If you are interested in history, exotic cultures,adventure , defining conflicts, philosophy and the possibilities of mankind in general then don't miss this book. "

" T.E. Lawrence, better known in the west as Lawrence of Arabia, gives his account of his involvement with the Arab Revolt in World War One. Fascinating true story. "

" If for nothing else, read T E Lawrence for his grandiloquence; then re-read this tome on a sociological level; you will most likely, as I am perpetually doing, never stop pulling it closer on long vacations and through periods of modern literary drought, to approach it on countless other levels. "

" Interesting that Lawrence of Arabia didn't have a very flattering view of Arabs but he is insightful, perhaps unwantedly he compliments their spirit at times. "

" It was the longest and best book I've ever read. "

" the only example one needs to justify the existence of non-fiction. "

" A worthwhile read..had to do it in several installments..a bit like reading Rebecca West's Black Lamb Grey Falcon. Provides good background on the mess that is today's Middle East. "

" This is one of my favorite books of all time. The story is vividly told by Lawrence and at times, you feel like you are with him in the desert. "

" A triumph, indeed! Not a light read, but illuminating in more ways than one. "

" He is quite possibly the best writer who was also the best military man for the time and place he found himself. His story as written by anyone else would still be fascinating, and his writing on any other subject would still be entrancing, but the combination makes for a perfect book. "

" Fun to read the source material for the Peter O'Toole movie "Lawrence of Arabia," but if you want historical facts and analysis, check out Michael Asher's biography. A prose writer, our Lawrence is not. The best part of the book is his opening poem and sassy preface. "

" A magnificent book which combines photographic memory for minutiae with sweeping and limitless landscapes. The prose is masterful and beautifully descriptive and the narrative reads like a great Medieval romance rather than a true story. "

" A remarkable book by a remarkable man. I'd imagine it would be hard going without at least a little interest in either the area, war or the people. "

" I had heard very high recommendations of this book but I just couldn't get into it. A couple hundred pages in and I'm giving up "

" One of the best books I ever read. However, Lawrence does go into very long explanations that can be so boring. A level of boring that only a post WWI author can achieve "

" Reading "Seven Pillars of Wisdom" is like being taught history through homoerotic interpretive dance. "

" Make them own it! Great lessons for tho COIN folks. "