Guerrilla leader : T. E. Lawrence and the Arab revolt / James J. Schneider ; foreword by Thomas E. Ricks.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Schneider, James J. (James Joseph), 1947-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Lawrence, T. E. (Thomas Edward), 1888-1935--Military leadership.

Lawrence, T. E.

Lawrence, T. E. (Thomas Edward), 1888-1935.

World War, 1914-1918--Campaigns--Middle East.

World War, 1914-1918.

Command of troops.

History.

Arab countries--History--Arab Revolt, 1916-1918.

Arab countries.

Command of troops--History--20th century.

Physical Description:

xxviii, 328 pages ; 25 cm

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

New York : Bantam Books, [2011]

Summary:

Reclaiming T. E. Lawrence from hype and legend, James J. Schneider offers a reexamination of this leader's critical role in shaping the modern Middle East. Just how did this obscure British junior intelligence officer, unschooled in the art of war, become "Lawrence of Arabia" and inspire a loosely affiliated cluster of desert tribes to band together in an all-or-nothing insurgency against their Turkish overlords? The answers have profound implications for our time as well. Blowing up trains and harassing supply lines, Lawrence drove the Ottoman Turks to distraction and brought the Arabs to the brink of self-determination. But his success hinged on more than just innovative tactics: As he immersed himself in Arab culture, Lawrence learned that a traditional Western-style hierarchical command structure could not work in a tribal system. Weaving quotations from Lawrence's own writings with the histories of his greatest campaigns, Schneider shows how this stranger in a strange land evolved over time into the model of the self-reflective, enabling leader who eschews glory for himself but instead seeks to empower his followers.--From publisher description.

Contents:

1 Arrival 3

2 Pale Rider 16

3 A Flash of Genius 46

4 Aqaba! 80

5 Lawrence in LEGO-land 128

6 To Whom the Gods Pray 152

7 The Grief of Leaders 186

8 Thief of Souls 213

9 The Hovering Dead 238

10 Days of Wrath; O Days of Sorrow-the Road to Damascus 264.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780553807646

0553807641

OCLC:

694283223