The Penguin Podcast is back! Listen Now
Lawrence of Arabia

Lawrence of Arabia

The definitive 21st-century biography of a 20th-century soldier, adventurer and leader

Summary

Discover the authoritative, illuminating biography of T. E. Lawrence – the man who inspired the iconic film Lawrence of Arabia – from The World's Greatest Living Explorer Ranulph Fiennes


‘An excellent guide to a colourful life for readers who enjoy tales of adventure in the desert sands’ Daily Telegraph


'Corking, rip-roaring, crisply written, full of extraordinary characters. An immaculate retelling of this cracking story' Daily Mail


---

Thomas Edward Lawrence first set foot on the hot sands of Arabia in 1909. By 1918 there was a £20,000 price on his head.


How did this fresh-faced archaeologist, liaison and map officer end up fighting alongside guerrilla forces during the Arab Revolt?


How did a slight man journey more than 300 miles through blistering heat to capture Aqaba?


And how did an unhappy outsider take a pivotal role in peace conferences to decide the future of the Middle East?


Explorer Ranulph Fiennes tells the extraordinary story of how Lawrence gave over his life fully to this land and its peoples, while making enemies of those who sought to subjugate it . . .

---

‘Gripping. Rattles along like an enthralling Boys’ Own adventure’ Irish Independent

‘Fiennes' own experiences certainly allow him to write vividly and with empathy’ Sunday Times

‘Elegant, subtle, sympathetic’ Wall Street Journal

Reviews

  • Corking, rip-roaring, crisply written, full of extraordinary characters. We follow Lawrence's band of camel-borne warriors as they gallop through 600 miles of blistering heat to capture Aqaba on the Red Sea, along the way blowing up railway lines and enemy troop trains. An immaculate retelling of this cracking story
    Daily Mail

About the author

Ranulph Fiennes

Ranulph Fiennes is the only man alive ever to have travelled around the Earth's circumpolar surface (more people have been on the Moon!). His record-breaking expeditions include travel by riverboat, hovercraft, man-haul sledge, skidoo, Land Rover and skis. He is also the bestselling author of titles such as Mad Dogs and Englishmen, Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know, and the biography Captain Scott.
Learn More

Sign up to the Penguin Newsletter

For the latest books, recommendations, author interviews and more