Seven Pillars of Wisdom by T.E. Lawrence

Dragon · 14th February 2003, 08:00 AM

Having read and reviewed his book on these events, "Seven Pillars of Wisdom", it appears that Captain T.E. Lawrence, English Intelligence Officer, could have been one of the greatest Double-Agents in history. He was able to 'insert' himself into the lives of many Arab Tribal Chiefs in order to foment or further an Arab Revolt against the Turkish Empire. Turkey, an ally of Germany and Austria-Hungary, was about to launch a holy war or Jihad against Christianity - the Arabs were not sure they wanted to be a part of this plan. They were distracted by visions of an Arab Empire and Captain Lawrence did much to get them to Damascus. On the three year journey on the Road to Damascus, Ya Aurens had a vision that blinded him - partially. There was no voice crying out but he was troubled by his dual role. It is a wonder that neither side shot him.

"Lawrence of Arabia" presents a side show of World War I; in which Britain recruits Arabs to fight Great Turkey. We all knew how the Arabs were rewarded, namely to divide them the way we see. Who is the new "Lawrence of Arabia" of this century? We wish to know, for we've been told that Iraq has replaced, the last century's Turkey. Wake up!

Here you are the book to read: <img src="/threads/images/graemlins/flame.gif" alt="" />

<a href="http://www.gutenberg.net.au/0100111.txt" target="_blank">http://www.gutenberg.net.au/0100111.txt</a>

WT_Sherman · 18th February 2003, 05:32 PM

And about a far more interesting moment, in a similar area.

Dragon · 19th February 2003, 01:02 AM

Xenophon's Anabasis is more interesting?

well, unfortunately we didn't come into this work before, could you please give us some hints and headlines of it, or may provide some links where the entire work could be read!!.

We refered to this work to show a very strange fact, that explains clearly the weakness of the Arab-nations, namely, since generations they tend to be lead by foreigners. Why do they allow this to happen?

WT_Sherman · 19th February 2003, 03:57 AM

I'll see if I can find the link. It's an autobiographical account of ten thousand greeks (mostly spartans and athenians) just after the peloponesian war has ended. They fight along with a nephew of the future Iranians, against the grandson of Xerxes. The battle is in Iraq. They lose. And have to fight their way back to Greece on foot from Iraq, while surrounded at all times by the Persian Army. Xenopohon, one of the three living officers was 25. The action, ironically take place from just north of where Baghdad is today, thru kurdistan and turkey. Thgere are several modern interpretations which make easier reading the the online version (it's like homer on line)

As for why arab nations are weak...
1)10% - GB and France made up their minds to have it that way in 1924, and it's inherited weaknesses
2)60% - Culture of 1400 years was to accept a 'deputy of the people', except all rulers end up corrupt in this system. If not in one generation, then the next (Almohads, Ottomans.. take you pick of any). Note that taken to its extreme this acceptance can lead to the most brutal being the most succesful. There are a few who fit this.
3)20% religious document. While the Quran itself is a wonderful religious document, since is must be regarded as perfect, the folks who 'interpret' its meaning tend to have opinions which are immutable. Things can never be other than they are stated there in the Book. This precludes some scientific and commercial and governmental possibilities (2000 blind men leading 2000 blind men). Free economic systems (giving the benefits of this to 'everyman' and even militarily thru a strong economy) will ultimately demand free expression of the individual.
4) 10% world noise (just like everyone else)

TE Lawrence was a very stange man, BTW. However, it is PHILBY who exerted a FAR more important influence in the long run. It may well be that not only was he in the full run of his career an agent for the British, but like his son Kim, for the USSR as well.

Dragon · 19th February 2003, 04:24 AM

Dear Sherman,

were you referring to the The First Four Books of Xenophon's Anabasis by William W. Goodwin? Then we could a bit help. We are happy to eventually find a member who's interested in this sort of political literature. We were real disppointed the other month as we posted ANIMAL FARM NINETEEN EIGHTY-FOUR by George Orwell (1903-1950) - pseudonym of Eric Arthur Blair that only one or two members cared to answer. <img src="/threads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />
<a href="http://www.online-literature.com/orwell/" target="_blank">http://www.online-literature.com/orwell/</a>

We will certainly read that work The First Four Books of Xenophon's Anabasis by William W. Goodwin soon, it should be interesting. Here you are some links to it:

<a href="http://www.globusz.com/ebooks/" target="_blank">http://www.globusz.com/ebooks/</a>

<a href="http://montgomery.cas.muohio.edu/textkit/WWG_Xenophons_Anabasis.pdf" target="_blank">http://montgomery.cas.muohio.edu/textkit/WWG_Xenophons_Anabasis.pdf</a>

WT_Sherman · 19th February 2003, 04:40 AM

Yes, that's it. If you find it an interesting historic then I also reccomend: The Ten Thousand, by Michael Curtis Ford, which is this history told from the viewpoint of Xenophon's personal slave.

If you like this then I also HIGHLY reccomend the works of Steven Pressfield "Gates of Fire" (Thermopylae) told from ther viewpoint of a helot, and "Tides of War" the story of Alcibiades. These books have one thing in, the granular gritty detail of day to day existance.

Good luck... I have to dig a lot of snow now..

Dragon · 19th February 2003, 07:31 AM

Many thanks Sherman, oh snow to clear off, a damn hard job if it keeps falling like troubles on one's head without a stop.

Wish you happy day though. <img src="/threads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/threads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Limerick · 19th February 2003, 07:44 AM

In case anyone actually believes that Dragon has read the book and therefore posted an original thought, you can read where he cut and pasted from right here:

<a href="http://www.epinions.com/content_45451742852" target="_blank">Dragon's 'original' post</a>

14th February 2003, 08:00 AM	#1
Dragon Loyal Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 1,472 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: 10	Having read and reviewed his book on these events, "Seven Pillars of Wisdom", it appears that Captain T.E. Lawrence, English Intelligence Officer, could have been one of the greatest Double-Agents in history. He was able to 'insert' himself into the lives of many Arab Tribal Chiefs in order to foment or further an Arab Revolt against the Turkish Empire. Turkey, an ally of Germany and Austria-Hungary, was about to launch a holy war or Jihad against Christianity - the Arabs were not sure they wanted to be a part of this plan. They were distracted by visions of an Arab Empire and Captain Lawrence did much to get them to Damascus. On the three year journey on the Road to Damascus, Ya Aurens had a vision that blinded him - partially. There was no voice crying out but he was troubled by his dual role. It is a wonder that neither side shot him. "Lawrence of Arabia" presents a side show of World War I; in which Britain recruits Arabs to fight Great Turkey. We all knew how the Arabs were rewarded, namely to divide them the way we see. <b>Who is the new "Lawrence of Arabia" of this century? We wish to know, for we've been told that Iraq has replaced, the last century's Turkey.</b> Wake up! Here you are the book to read: <img src="/threads/images/graemlins/flame.gif" alt="" /> <a href="http://www.gutenberg.net.au/0100111.txt" target="_blank">http://www.gutenberg.net.au/0100111.txt</a>

19th February 2003, 01:02 AM	#3
Dragon Loyal Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 1,472 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: 10	<b>Xenophon's Anabasis is more interesting?</b> well, unfortunately we didn't come into this work before, could you please give us some hints and headlines of it, or may provide some links where the entire work could be read!!. We refered to this work to show a very strange fact, that explains clearly the weakness of the Arab-nations, namely, since generations they tend to be lead by foreigners. Why do they allow this to happen?

19th February 2003, 04:24 AM	#5
Dragon Loyal Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 1,472 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: 10	Dear Sherman, were you referring to the <b>The First Four Books of Xenophon's Anabasis by William W. Goodwin? </b> Then we could a bit help. We are happy to eventually find a member who's interested in this sort of political literature. We were real disppointed the other month as we posted <b>ANIMAL FARM NINETEEN EIGHTY-FOUR by George Orwell (1903-1950) - pseudonym of Eric Arthur Blair</b> that only one or two members cared to answer. <img src="/threads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" /> <a href="http://www.online-literature.com/orwell/" target="_blank">http://www.online-literature.com/orwell/</a> We will certainly read that work <b>The First Four Books of Xenophon's Anabasis by William W. Goodwin</b> soon, it should be interesting. Here you are some links to it: <a href="http://www.globusz.com/ebooks/" target="_blank">http://www.globusz.com/ebooks/</a> <a href="http://montgomery.cas.muohio.edu/textkit/WWG_Xenophons_Anabasis.pdf" target="_blank">http://montgomery.cas.muohio.edu/textkit/WWG_Xenophons_Anabasis.pdf</a>

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18th February 2003, 05:32 PM	#2
WT_Sherman Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 80 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: 10	And about a far more interesting moment, in a similar area.

19th February 2003, 03:57 AM	#4
WT_Sherman Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 80 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: 10	I'll see if I can find the link. It's an autobiographical account of ten thousand greeks (mostly spartans and athenians) just after the peloponesian war has ended. They fight along with a nephew of the future Iranians, against the grandson of Xerxes. The battle is in Iraq. They lose. And have to fight their way back to Greece on foot from Iraq, while surrounded at all times by the Persian Army. Xenopohon, one of the three living officers was 25. The action, ironically take place from just north of where Baghdad is today, thru kurdistan and turkey. Thgere are several modern interpretations which make easier reading the the online version (it's like homer on line) As for why arab nations are weak... 1)10% - GB and France made up their minds to have it that way in 1924, and it's inherited weaknesses 2)60% - Culture of 1400 years was to accept a 'deputy of the people', except all rulers end up corrupt in this system. If not in one generation, then the next (Almohads, Ottomans.. take you pick of any). Note that taken to its extreme this acceptance can lead to the most brutal being the most succesful. There are a few who fit this. 3)20% religious document. While the Quran itself is a wonderful religious document, since is must be regarded as perfect, the folks who 'interpret' its meaning tend to have opinions which are immutable. Things can never be other than they are stated there in the Book. This precludes some scientific and commercial and governmental possibilities (2000 blind men leading 2000 blind men). Free economic systems (giving the benefits of this to 'everyman' and even militarily thru a strong economy) will ultimately demand free expression of the individual. 4) 10% world noise (just like everyone else) TE Lawrence was a very stange man, BTW. However, it is PHILBY who exerted a FAR more important influence in the long run. It may well be that not only was he in the full run of his career an agent for the British, but like his son Kim, for the USSR as well.

19th February 2003, 04:40 AM	#6
WT_Sherman Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 80 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: 10	Yes, that's it. If you find it an interesting historic then I also reccomend: The Ten Thousand, by Michael Curtis Ford, which is this history told from the viewpoint of Xenophon's personal slave. If you like this then I also HIGHLY reccomend the works of Steven Pressfield "Gates of Fire" (Thermopylae) told from ther viewpoint of a helot, and "Tides of War" the story of Alcibiades. These books have one thing in, the granular gritty detail of day to day existance. Good luck... I have to dig a lot of snow now..

19th February 2003, 07:31 AM	#7
Dragon Loyal Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 1,472 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: 10	Many thanks Sherman, oh snow to clear off, a damn hard job if it keeps falling like troubles on one's head without a stop. Wish you happy day though. <img src="/threads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/threads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

19th February 2003, 07:44 AM	#8
Limerick Loyal Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 1,617 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: 10	In case anyone actually believes that Dragon has read the book and therefore posted an original thought, you can read where he cut and pasted from right here: <a href="http://www.epinions.com/content_45451742852" target="_blank">Dragon's 'original' post</a>