Seven Pillars of Wisdom - A Triumph
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| Seven Pillars of Wisdom - A Triumph - T. E. Lawrence |
From introduction:
THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE ARAB REVOLT
Some Englishmen, of whom Kitchener was chief, believed that a rebellion of Arabs against Turks would enable England, while fighting Germany, simultaneously to defeat her ally Turkey.
Their knowledge of the nature and power and country of the Arabic-speaking peoples made them think that the issue of such a rebellion would be happy: and indicated its character and method. So they allowed it to begin, having obtained formal assurances of help for it from the British Government.
Yet nonetheless, the rebellion of the Sherif of Mecca came to most as a surprise and found the Allies unready.
It aroused mixed feelings and made strong friends and enemies, amid whose clashing jealousies its affairs began to miscarry. Chapter I; — The strained mentality of rebellion (29) which infected me (30) and still, a year afterwards, prevents my judgement (31). Chapter 2. — Arabia and the Arabs (33) emigrations, immigrations, and the current of tribal movements (35) sessile or nomad (36-37).
Chapter 3
The uncompromising Semite (38) religious invention (39) his prophets (39) his creeds (40) his fanaticism (42-3).
Chapter 4. — Arab decay (45) nationalism (46) secret societies (47).
Chapter 5. — Sheriffs of Mecca (49) the Holy War (50) thoughts of rebellion (51) Feisal and Jemal (52) Enver (53) the revolt (54).
Chapter 6. — The decay of Turkish imperialism (55) a new factor required (56-7) Clayton’s Arab Bureau (57) Mesopotamia (59-60). Chapter 7. — The McMahon negotiations (61) his difficulties with his colleagues (61) my private difficulties (62-3) an escape (63).
The title was originally applied by the author to a book of his about seven cities. He decided not to publish this early book because he considered it immature, but he transferred the title as a memento.
Seven Pillars of Wisdom is an autobiographical account of his experiences during the Arab Revolt of 1916–1918 when Lawrence was based in Wadi Rum in Jordan as a member of the British Forces. With the support of Emir Faisal and his tribesmen, he helped organise and carry out attacks on the Ottoman forces from Aqaba in the south to Damascus in the north. - Wikipedia.