Revolt in the Desert: The Abridged Edition of Seven Pillars of Wisdom

T.E. Lawrence, also known as *Lawrence of Arabia,* wrote Seven Pillars of Wisdom: A Triumph from his memories of serving as a liaison officer with rebel forces during the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Turks (1916-1918). Possessed of a brilliant military mind and an unmatched knowledge of the region and the Arab people, Lawrence led the revolt alongside the charismatic Faisal I, sounding the death knell for the Ottoman Empire and paving the way for a new colonial power in the region: the British. Writing from memory after his original manuscript and detailed notes were lost, Lawrence was able to privately publish a polished version of his autobiograhpical account in 1922. It is from this edition that he created the abridged version in 1927 which would become a best-seller, titling it Revolt in the Desert. This important historic work vividly portrays one of the most turbulent periods in the history of the Middle East while offering rich insight into one of Britain's esteemed national heroes.