T.E. Lawrence

Dedication

The author and speaker of the dedication, addressing S.A.

Seven Pillars of Wisdom

Narrator and observer, providing insights into Feisal's character and the broader revolt.

Introduction: Foundations of Revolt

Narrator and participant in the Arab Revolt, reflecting on its origins.

I

Narrator and central figure, reflecting on his dual identity and experiences with the Arab forces.

III

Narrator and observer, reflecting on Semitic spirituality and his own role in the Arab revolt.

IV

Narrator and analyst of Arab history and the political dynamics leading to the revolt.

VI

Narrator; sent to Mesopotamia to aid Kut but found it too late; reflects on British failures and the ideal conditions for an Arab movement.

VII

Lawrence, as a Staff Captain under Clayton, invents the Arab Bulletin and uses stratagems to secure a transfer to the Arab Bureau, joining Storrs for a trip to Jidda.

Book I: The Discovery of Feisal

Narrator and observer who travels to Arabia to assess Arab leaders.

VIII

Narrator and observer; proposes to ride to Feisal's camp and reports on the Rabegh situation.

IX

Narrator; observes Abdulla critically and begins to favor Feisal as the leader.

Departure from Rabegh

Narrator and protagonist; departs Rabegh under disguise and escort.

XI

Narrator; experiencing his first desert journey, suffering from heat and fatigue.

XII

Narrator and observer; rides to Hamra to meet Feisal.

XIII

Arrives at Feisal's camp, meets Nafi Bey and Maulud, and hears Feisal's account of the revolt's history and plans.

XIV

Throws apples of discord to sound the company's beliefs; poses as a Syrian.

XV

Observes Feisal's troops, promises British support, and reflects on the Arab revolt's dynamics.

XVI

Narrates his political maneuvering in Cairo and Khartum, writes a memorandum against Bremond, and describes a night march through Hejaz.

Book II: Opening the Arab Offensive

Returns to Feisal's camp after the fall of Jebel Subh, reassesses strategy for the Arab Revolt.

XVII

Reluctantly returns to Arabia to advise Feisal, despite hating responsibility and soldiering.

XVIII

Travels with Abd el Kerim, arrives at Feisal's camp, and learns of the Turkish advance.

XIX

Observer and chronicler of Feisal's methods and camp life.

XX

Agrees to wear Arab clothes, visits villages, returns to Yenbo, oversees defense preparations, and sleeps on the Suva.

XXI

Meets Bremond at Rabegh, argues for Arab conquest of Medina and Damascus, opposes colonial schemes.

XXII

Lawrence participates in planning and leads a test raid on a Turkish blockhouse near Dhifran.

XXIII

Narrator and planner of the Wejh attack; reflects on his outburst about reaching Damascus and tensions with Vickery.

XXIV

Narrator and participant in the march, discussing plans with Newcombe and Feisal.

XXV

Narrates the march, observes the tribes, and receives news of Eshref's capture.

XXVI

Observes the march, interacts with leaders, and goes aboard the Hardinge to learn of the naval attack.

XXVII

Narrates the assault on Wejh, expressing regret over unnecessary casualties and reflecting on the cost of the victory.

Book III: A Railway Diversion

Narrator and strategist; falls sick, rethinks campaign, decides to test his theory at Akaba.

XXVIII

Narrates the chapter, describes the gun shortage, his opposition to Bremond's Akaba plan, and his role in advising Feisal.

Life in Wejh

Lawrence describes his own daily movements around the camp, his preference for walking over riding, and his observations of camp life.

The Gathering at Wejh

Advises Feisal to prioritize preaching and tribal diplomacy over railway demolition, and records the day's events.

XXXI

Ill with dysentery and fever, Lawrence receives orders from Clayton, coordinates Arab responses to the Turkish evacuation, and personally executes Hamed the Moor for murder.

XXXII

Narrator, feverish and weak, struggles through the journey and delivers Feisal's message to Sherif Abdulla.

XXXIII

Lying ill in his tent, Lawrence reflects on the strategy of the Arab Revolt and develops his theory of guerrilla warfare.

XXXIV

Recovered from illness, leads the raid on Aba el Naam station, struggles with physical weakness.

XXXV

Narrator and leader of the mining operation; lays and later retrieves the mine, teaches Mohammed to cut telegraph wires, and reflects on the moral implications of the failed explosion.

XXXVII

Departs Wadi Ais, reflects on Arab character and the revolt's strategy.

XXXVIII

Develops new theory of irregular war; decides to go to Akaba via desert route.

Book IV: Extending to Akaba

Takes on the leadership of the northern expedition, accepting the burden and dishonest implications as a means to victory.

XL

Narrator and participant; suffers from fever and boils; takes on Farraj and Daud as servants.

XLI

Narrates the journey, observing the landscape and interacting with Sharraf and Hornby.

XLII

Leads the crossing and demolition, describes the khamsin with personal relish.

XLIII

Narrator and participant in the march, suffering from the heat and learning from Nasir.

XLIV

Narrator; turns back alone to rescue the lost Gasim, reflecting on his duty as a foreigner leading Arabs.

XLV

Narrator and participant; reflects on the lessons of desert war and the need to avoid solitude among the Arabs.

XLVI

Narrator and participant in the feasts, observing and describing the Howeitat hospitality customs.

XLVII

Narrator and observer of the tribal march, suffering from snake terror and participating in feasts.

Nebk: Strategy and Deception

Lawrence argues for Akaba over Damascus, reflects on his deception of the Arabs, and plans a northern reconnaissance.

XLIX

Narrates the chapter; rides camel Naama; inspects damaged wells; plans deception campaign to mislead Turks about Akaba objective.

Chapter L

Leads the raiding party with Zaal, makes strategic decisions to avoid unnecessary casualties and preserve focus on Akaba.

LI

Narrates the chapter; participates in the raid on Atwi station.

LII

Lawrence led the ride to Jefer, supervised the well repair, and directed the attack on the railway.

LIII

Leads the Arab forces, suffers a heatstroke, and makes strategic decisions under extreme duress.

LIV

Describes the physical and emotional exhaustion after victory, arranges the dead, negotiates with Turkish officers, and leads the final push to Akaba.

Book V: Marking Time

Narrates the reorganization and the strategic shift after Akaba.

LV

Decides to ride across Sinai to Suez for a relief-ship; reflects on the emptiness of victory and the physical toll of the journey.

LVI

Narrator; exhausted after four months of travel, seeks bath and food, interacts with British officials, meets Allenby.

LVII

Reports to Clayton, negotiates with King Hussein, and confronts Auda about suspected treachery.

LVIII

Narrator and strategist, reflecting on the war's progress and planning the campaign in Syria.

LIX

Narrator and strategist, analyzing Syrian society and planning guerrilla operations.

LX

Plans railway demolitions and the mining of a train; tests the electric exploder with Captain Snagge.

LXI

Leads the party, observes cultural dynamics, and negotiates with Auda to resolve tribal disputes.

LXII

Narrator and leader of the party, navigating political tensions and the harsh environment.

LXIII

Narrator; reflects on Semitic character of Islam and Christianity after encounter with old man at waterfall; travels to Akaba to arrange camels and explosives.

LXIV

Assumes direction of the raid despite misgivings, mediates between tribal factions, and ultimately decides against attacking Mudowwara.

LXV

Leads the mining operation, personally buries the charge and wires.

LXVI

Plans and leads the train ambush, triggers the mine, destroys the locomotive, and observes the chaotic looting and violence.

LXVII

Leads the raid, manages the aftermath, and feels guilt for leaving Salem behind.

LXVIII

Narrator and leader of the raid; reflects on his false authority and internal turmoil; oversees mining and ambush; wounded in the hip.

Book VI: The Raid Upon the Bridges

Narrator and strategist who designed the failed raid on the Yarmuk Valley Railway.

LXIX

Narrator and strategist, torn between loyalty to Allenby and Feisal, decides to delay the Arab uprising at Deraa.

LXX

Plans and leads the Yarmuk bridge raid, coordinating with Allenby and Feisal.

LXXI

Narrates the chapter, assembles a new bodyguard, and leads the march from Akaba through Rumm and Hafira.

LXXII

Narrates the chapter; scouts with Awad, leads the night march toward Shedia, and later meets with Auda and Zaal.

LXXIII

Narrator and leader of the party; admires the defensive posture of his men and negotiates with the Beni Sakhr.

LXXIV

Leads the philosophical debate with the Serahin, persuading them to join the raid.

LXXV

Leads the expedition, makes tactical decisions after Abd el Kader's defection, and oversees the discipline of his men.

LXXVI

Leads the retreat and the night march, reflecting on failure and the Arab Revolt's prospects.

LXXVII

Leads the expedition, decides to risk blowing up a train despite limited resources, and narrowly avoids detection when the exploder fails.

LXXVIII

Leads the ambush, is injured by the explosion and bullet grazes, struggles with cold and pain, and directs the retreat.

The Dogs of Harith

Organizes the base at Azrak, receives visitors, and secretly scouts the Deraa region with Talal.

LXXX

Narrator and victim; endures torture and sexual assault, escapes, and reflects on the loss of his integrity.

LXXXI

Narrates the chapter; experiences fever, exhaustion, and a dissociative episode during the journey; exchanges clothes with Sherif Ali and leaves Azrak.

Book VII: The Dead Sea Campaign

Narrator and protagonist; leads the Arab force, has a falling out with Zeid, resigns, and is sent back by Allenby.

LXXXII

Narrator and participant in the reconnaissance and attack; reflects on British attitudes toward Medina.

LXXXIII

Narrates his philosophy of endurance and will, and describes forming his bodyguard for protection as his reputation and bounty grew.

LXXXV

Furious at the Turkish advance, he decides to parody orthodox tactics and force a battle; climbs cliffs barefoot to scout and organize the defense.

LXXXVI

Narrator and commander, reflects on the battle's cost and writes a satirical report.

LXXXVII

Narrator and leader; reflects on the Hesa lesson, organizes the Kerak raid, and endures the winter march.

LXXXVIII

Narrator; receives gold and camel, travels through harsh conditions.

LXXXIX

Narrator and protagonist, enduring extreme winter conditions and physical hardship while transporting gold.

XC

Nearly snow-blind, he reconnoiters the approaches to Kerak and Jordan Valley, then confronts Zeid about the squandered gold. Physically and mentally exhausted, he decides to leave for Allenby's headquarters, confessing his failure and the fraudulence of his role.

XCI

Reluctantly resumes his role as liaison, negotiates new terms with Feisal, and coordinates the joint British-Arab plan.

The Ruin of High Hope

Narrator and strategist; reflects on the failure of the triple plan and the shift to railway warfare.

XCII

Narrator; spends four days in Cairo, plans operations with Joyce, travels to Shobek with Zeid and Nasir, reflects on discipline and the Arab Army.

XCIII

Narrator and leader of the convoy; spares a Turkish soldier and later kills Farraj to prevent his capture.

XCIV

Narrator; rides with Indians, meets Maulud, confers with Feisal, joins Dawnay's armored car operation.

XCV

Returns to Allenby's camp, negotiates for camels, and brings news of the gift to Feisal.

XCVI

Narrates the chapter, travels to Hesa to observe demolition work, and witnesses the bombing aftermath.

XCVII

Proposes military strategy, negotiates with Feisal, Wingate, and Allenby, and attempts to persuade King Hussein.

Balancing for a Last Effort

Narrator and coordinator of Arab deception efforts; borrows Imperial Camel Corps to feign weakness.

XCVIII

Participates in strategic planning with Allenby and Bartholomew; secures the Imperial Camel Corps; disputes logistics with Young; drives preparations for the Deraa raid.

XCIX

Narrator and guide; reflects on his exhaustion, moral dilemmas, and role in exploiting Arab ideals for British war aims.

C

Lawrence introspects on his guilt, deception, and the moral weight of leading the Arab Revolt.

CI

Narrates the chapter, reflecting on British promises, the Turkish correspondence, and the strategic situation.

CII

Leads the car reconnaissance to Azrak, interacts with Bedouin and British troops, and reflects on the cultural divide.

CIII

Lawrence spends his thirtieth birthday in deep self-reflection, questioning his motives, his reputation, and the nature of his service. He dissects his own psychology, including his craving for fame, his fear of intimacy, and his sense of fraud.

CIV

Leads the march with Buxton, rides his camel Baha, and reflects on the adaptation of the Camel Corps to desert warfare.

CV

Narrator and leader, guides the Camel Corps, decides to abort the bridge raid.

CVI

Manages the crisis, sends messages to Nuri Shaalan, organizes caravans, calms mutinous troops, and orchestrates the resolution of the feud between Feisal and King Hussein.

The House Is Perfected

Leads the mobile column, flies to Palestine for aeroplane help, and enters Damascus.

CVII

Narrator and strategist, enjoying the comfort of the Rolls-Royce and planning the final campaign.

CVIII

Leads the raid, plans demolition, rides with armoured cars.

CIX

Leads the attack on the railway, coordinates demolition, and observes the strategic situation from Tell Arar.

CX

Narrates the events; cuts telegraph lines; is hit by a bomb splinter but not seriously wounded.

The Failed Bridge at Tell el Shehab

Leads the operation, fills pockets with detonators, and ultimately decides against a direct assault due to the high cost in lives.

CXII

Leads the operation, personally selects Hemeid for the final approach to the bridge, and detonates the explosives.

CXIII

Travels to Allenby's HQ, coordinates air support, and leads a failed demolition raid.

CXIV

Narrates the chapter; flies to Um el Surab, then to Azrak to bring Feisal and Nuri Shaalan; rests in Nasir's tent.

CXV

Leads the decision to march to Sheikh Saad, argues for continuing the advance despite opposition, and plans to cross the railway with his bodyguard.

CXVI

Narrator and strategist, coordinating the Arab forces and assessing the military situation.

CXVII

Narrator and protagonist; reflects on fear, confronts Barrow, leads the pursuit after the Tafas massacre, and struggles with exhaustion and trauma.

CXVIII

Narrates the chapter; drives to Damascus, coordinates with Barrow and Gregory, reflects on soldiers and his own role.

CXIX

Narrates the entry into Damascus, mediates conflicts, and coordinates with British and Arab leaders.

CXX

Acts as deputy for Feisal, deposes Abd el Kader and Mohammed Said, and orchestrates the provisional government.

CXXI

Awakened to rebellion, coordinates suppression, discovers and attempts to remedy the Turkish hospital horror.

CXXII

Reflects on the aftermath of Damascus's capture, manages the hospital, and interacts with Allenby and Feisal.

Epilogue

The narrator reflects on his personal motives and the end of his active role after the fall of Damascus.

Appendix 2

Author and diarist; records his own movements and positions.

Maps

The narrator and central figure, reflecting on his experiences with maps and the Arab Revolt.

Portraits

Portrait by Kennington and by John.

List of Illustrations

Author who commissioned the portraits and oversaw the illustration process.