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T. E. Lawrence, Seven Pillars of
Wisdom
SYNOPSIS
Half-way through the labour of an index to this book
I recalled the practice of my ten years' study of history; and
realized I had never used the index of a book fit to read. Who would
insult his Decline and Fall, by consulting it just upon a
specific point?
I am aware that my achievement as a writer falls
short of every conception of the readable: but surely not so far as
to make it my duty, like a Stubbs, to save readers the pain of an
unnecessary page. The contents seem to me adequately finger-posted
by this synopsis.
Some Englishmen, of whom Kitchener was chief,
believed that a rebellion of Arabs against Turks would enable
England, while fighting Germany, simultaneously to defeat her ally
Turkey. Their knowledge of the nature and power and country of the
Arabic-speaking peoples made them think that the issue of such a
rebellion would be happy: and indicated its character and method. So
they allowed it to begin, having obtained formal assurances of help
for it from the British Government. Yet none the less the rebellion
of the Sherif of Mecca came to most as a surprise, and found the
Allies unready. It aroused mixed feelings and made strong friends
and enemies, amid whose clashing jealousies its affairs began to
miscarry.
Chapter 1. The strained
mentality of rebellion which infected me and still, a year
afterwards, prevents my judgement.
Chapter 2. Arabia and the
Arabs; emigrations, immigrations, and the current of tribal movements,
sessile or nomad.
Chapter 3. The
uncompromising Semite; religious invention; his prophets; his
creeds; his fanaticism.
Chapter 4. Arab decay;
nationalism; secret societies.
Chapter 5. Sherifs of
Mecca; the Holy War; thoughts of rebellion; Feisal and Jemal; Enver;
the revolt.
Chapter 6. The decay of
Turkish imperialism - a new factor required - Clayton's Arab Bureau
- Mesopotamia.
Chapter 7. The McMahon
negotiations - his difficulties with his colleagues - my private
difficulties - an escape.
BOOK I: My first visit to Arabia
I had believed these misfortunes of the Revolt to be due to faulty
leadership, or rather to the lack of leadership, Arab and English.
So I went down to Arabia to see and consider its great men. The
first, the Sherif of Mecca, we knew to be aged. I found Abdulla too
clever, Ali too clean, Zeid too cool. Then I rode up-country to
Feisal, and found in him the leader with the necessary fire, and yet
with reason to give effect to our science. His tribesmen seemed
sufficient instrument, and his hills to provide natural advantage.
So I returned confidently to Egypt, and told my chiefs how Mecca was
defended not by Rabegh, but by Feisal in Jebel Subh.
Chapter 8. The Lama
arrives at Jedda - Colonel Wilson welcomes Storrs and myself - Emir
Abdulla - Arab government - military situation - Storrs persuasive.
Chapter 9. Jeddah - a
dinner party - the Turkish band.
Chapter 10. Emir Ali at
Rabegh - we ride inland - the Tehama and a discussion of
water-supplies as affecting Arab strategy - encounter at a well -
tricks of a Sherif.
Chapter 11. Hills of
Hejaz - Bir el Sheikh - highlands by night - a spy gives us food - a
watered village.
Chapter 12. Slave economy
- a ruined village - the rebels - my first meeting with the Emir
Feisal at Hamra.
Chapter 13. Egyptian
troops - Feisal's story of his first outbreak in Medina - his plans
for the moment - himself.
Chapter 14. A political
dinner - the royal family of Hejaz - nationalism among nomads and
townsmen - religion.
Chapter 15. Playing the
reporter - the troops and their native way of fighting - the
situation - artillery - envoi.
Chapter 16. The ruined
road - in Wadi Yenbo - Yenbo, Boyle, and hats - Admiral Wemyss -
Khartoum, where we argue the Arab Revolt with Sir Reginald Wingate -
a French idea - Sir Archibald Murray - I am good.
BOOK II: Feisal's first extension northward
My chiefs were astonished at such favourable news,
but promised help, and meanwhile sent me back, much against my will,
into Arabia. I reached Feisal's camp on the day the Turks carried
the defences of Jebel Subh. By their so doing the entire basis of my
confidence in a tribal war was destroyed. We havered for a while by
Yenbo, hoping to retrieve the position: but the tribesmen proved to
be useless for assault, and we saw that if the Revolt was to endure
we must invent a new plan of campaign at once. This was hazardous,
as the promised British military experts had not yet arrived.
However, we decided that to regain the initiative we must ignore the
main body of the enemy, and concentrate far off on his railway
flank. The first step towards this was to move our base to Wejh:
which we proceeded to do in the grand manner.
Chapter 17. Clayton sends
me back - Garland - Yenbo.
Chapter 18. Sherif Abd el
Kerim's riding manners - a surprise on our road - Feisal's
explanation of his move.
Chapter 19. Feisal's
control - life at Arab headquarters.
Chapter 20. My new
clothes - return to Yenbo - a defeat - treachery, perhaps -
defending our base.
Chapter 21. Conflicting
policies - French and English - the military situation develops -
Wilson gambles on it.
Chapter 22. Feisal
prepares to move on Wejh - troops for his expedition - a test raid -
the Emir Abdulla.
Chapter 23. The army
marches - naval politics - civil v. military - evacuation of Yenbo -
my relief - Boyle at Um Lejj - Wejh plans - too forward.
Chapter 24. Feisal's
staff - the routine of a march - Ageyl - Newcombe overtakes us - the
route.
Chapter 26.
Reinforcements pour in - the Navy again.
Chapter 27. Boyle's
victory - we re-organize Wejh.
BOOK III: Concentrating against the
Medina Railway
Our taking Wejh had the wished effect upon the Turks, who abandoned
their advance towards Mecca for a passive defence of Medina and its
Railway. Our experts made plans for attacking them. The Germans saw
the danger of envelopment, and persuaded Enver to order the instant
evacuation of Medina. Sir Archibald Murray begged us to put in such
a sustained attack as should destroy the retreating enemy. Feisal
was soon ready in his part; and I went off to Abdulla to get his
co-operation. On the way I fell sick and while lying alone with
empty hands was driven to think about the campaign. Thinking
convinced me that recent practice had been better than our theory.
So on recovery I did little to the Railway, but went back to Wejh
with novel ideas. I tried to make the others admit them, and adopt
deployment as our ruling principle; and to put preaching even before
fighting. They preferred the limited and direct military objective
of Medina. So I decided to slip off to Akaba by myself on test of my
own theory.
Chapter 28. Rewards of victory - the
need of guns - Jaafar Pasha takes command ' Bremond's proposal.
Chapter 29. Life at Wejh
- armoured cars and navy.
Chapter 30. The general
war - political work - Feisal's propaganda - and the quality of his
achievement.
Chapter 31. Clayton's
bombshell - new dispositions - journey inland - sickness - a death
for a death.
Chapter 32. In the hills
- lava and volcanoes grown cold - implacable hostility - Emir
Abdulla's camp.
Chapter 33. Generalizing
the military theory of our revolt.
Chapter 34. Recovery -
projecting a raid - a shepherd - fresh plans - mine-laying - a show.
Chapter 35. Shakir's
triumph - another raid - a storm - mine-laying - the alarm - getting
away.
Chapter 36. Emir Abdulla,
nature and life - Shakir.
Chapter 37. Starting for
Wejh - Beduin characters.
Chapter 38. Feisal again
- Auda abu Tayi - the ruling strategy - my criticisms - the Akaba
scheme.
BOOK IV: The Expedition against Akaba
Sherif Nasir, Auda, and I set off together for Akaba.
Hitherto Feisal had been the public leader; but his remaining in
Wejh threw the ungrateful load of this northern expedition upon
myself. I accepted it and its dishonest implication as our only
means of victory. We tricked the Turks and entered Akaba with good
fortune.
Chapter 39. Our start - ourselves -
Sherif Nasir and his great worthiness - a hill-garden - interlude.
Chapter 40. Arabic speech
- our assumptions - a pause which relieves my weariness - two new
men.
Chapter 41. Off again -
Auda as guide - night - volcanoes, lava, dry mud and sand - camel
sickness.
Chapter 42. Crossing the
railway - into the real desert - a hot wind - the refreshment of
nightfall, after.
Chapter 43. A new day -
camels - ostrich and oryx.
Chapter 44. A man missing
- alone - a joke overworked - we win across into Sirhan - the power
of thirst.
Chapter 46. We taste the
full measure of Beduin hospitality.
Chapter 48. Over-vaulting
ambition - true objective - false starts - my dilemma - a footnote
to history - unwelcome power - the last feast - small talk.
Chapter 50. A diversion
to draw the Turks' notice - ambush - deserters - Zaal's power and my
self-denial.
Chapter 51. A prisoner -
the temptation of fresh meat proves fatal to a fat station-master -
we surfeit ourselves.
Chapter 52. The King's
well - action - calculation - many bridges taken and at once blown
up - check.
Chapter 53. To the rescue
- hot fighting - a gallop - camel-charging - prisoners - exploiting
victory.
Chapter 54. After the
battle - the dead - the crest - more victory - the last barrier -
divided counsels - the enemy capitulate - we regain our familiar
sea.
BOOK V: Exploiting the new base
Our capture of Akaba closed the Hejaz war, and gave us the task of
helping the British invade Syria. The Arabs working from Akaba
became virtual right wing of Allenby's army in Sinai. To mark the
changed relation Feisal was transferred, with his Army, to Allenby's
command. Allenby now became responsible for his operations and
equipment. Meanwhile we organized the Akaba area as an unassailable
base, from which to hinder the Hejaz Railway.
Chapter 55. The sense of
victory - assuring Akaba - to Egypt for help - the Inland Water
Board carries on.
Chapter 56. Lyttleton -
the permit-police in the canal zone - naval help - Allenby - two
schools.
Chapter 57. The
organization of Akaba - guard-ships - transfer of Feisal and all his
troops - King Hussein agrees to it - palliating secret relations
with the enemy.
Chapter 58. A new
situation - changing methods - the invasion of Syria - the varied
peoples composing Syria.
Chapter 59. The towns of
Syria - Syrians - Syrian politics - our strategy - tactics - our
spirit.
Chapter 60. Operations
begin - air raids distract the enemy - electric mining - guns and
Lewis guns.
Chapter 61. Project of a
railway raid - points of character - tribal politics - the Turkish
air patrol.
Chapter 62. Rumm, a
tribal watering place in the hills.
Chapter 63. Seeking help
- a bath excursion into the origins of Christianity - an
inarticulate prophet.
Chapter 64. We march -
getting together - a rich drink by night, and a change of mind -
reconnaissance.
Chapter 66. The Turks
threaten us- a train comes - and stops - ten minutes - booty -
prisoners.
Chapter 67. Confusions -
evacuation - rescue - a clean get-away in heavy order - Rumm by
night.
Chapter 68. A training
raid - obligations of command - success - and its fruit - what we
were trying at.
BOOK VI: The failure of the
bridges
By November, 1917, Allenby was ready to open a general attack
against the Turks along his whole front. The Arabs should have done
the same in their sector: but I was afraid to put everything on a
throw, and designed instead the specious operation of cutting the
Yarmuk Valley Railway, to throw into disorder the expected Turkish
retreat. This half-measure met with its due failure.
Chapter 69. Allenby takes
the stage - his staff - our proper role - my private hesitation and
its reasons.
Chapter 70. An unworthy
choice - Sherif Ali ibn el Hussein - Abd el Kadir - a questionable
adherent.
Chapter 71. New retainers
- old retainers - Lloyd and Wood - our caravan gets off, but offers
lamely.
Chapter 72. A Sherari
finds a job and finds himself - a night-march the railway - Auda - a
false alarm.
Chapter 73. Tribal
politics - our march - desert manners which nearly put an end to us
- willing help.
Chapter 74. On the road -
Turks and English - we get two great volunteers - more accidents - a
scratchy night in tents - denouncing a fear - calmness.
Chapter 76. Apprehension
- a forced march - we attain the bridge at last - a panic - and a
failure.
Chapter 77. A new idea -
mine-laying - hunger, drizzle and the cold sap our patience - a long
moment.
Chapter 78. Distractions,
wise and foolish - the mine goes off embarrassingly well - a rescue
- we get away.
Chapter 79.
Reconditioning Azrak - provisions - visitors - our leader - Azrak
nights - a digression.
Chapter 80. A Turkish
garrison - in detention - an argument - persuasions - which go too
far - the earned wages of rebellion - gentling a broken will.
Chapter 81. The rake's
progress - I want to get away - in my own despite - riding non-stop
right to Akaba - another break-down - I find healing in Jerusalem.
BOOK VII: A winter campaign
After the capture of Jerusalem, Allenby, to relieve his right,
assigned us a limited objective. We began well; but when we reached
the Dead Sea, bad weather, bad temper and division of purpose
blunted our offensive spirit and broke up our force. I had a
misunderstanding with Zeid, threw in my hand, and returned to
Palestine reporting that we had failed, and asking the favour of
other employment. Allenby was in the hopeful midst of a great scheme
for the spring. He sent me back at once to Feisal with new powers.
Chapter 82. Allenby in Jerusalem - he
puts me to work again - an Arab advance - Joyce and I joy-ride - the
British staff do not understand our inconclusiveness.
Chapter 83. My price and
bodyguard - the Nahabi - our camels - severities of service -
vain nihilism.
Chapter 84. Extending our
front - Sherif Nasir's capture of Jurf - winter comes down - into
Tafileh.
Chapter 85. A Turkish
counter-attack - we run away - but later decide to accept battle -
the battlefield.
Chapter 86. Our front
line gets vexed - a lull of sunshine - a triple attack - the
aftermath - the profit.
Chapter 87. Clearing the
Dead Sea - snow-bound - a dash - riding under difficulties -
corrosive cold.
Chapter 88. Comfort at
Guweira - a convoy of gold - in the open - the winter Edomite wind -
by night.
Chapter 89. Exhausted -
my camel - the castle - child-breeding - snow-drifts - a journey's
end.
Chapter 90. Our next
programme - a sudden check - return to Palestine - a complaint and
resignation justified by the discovery that my nerves and tact had
failed.
Chapter 91. Again
harnessed - joint operations impose a new understanding with Feisal
and further resources.
BOOK VIII: Orthodoxy Arrives
In conjunction with Allenby we laid a triple plan to join hands
across Jordan, to capture Maan, and to cut off Medina, in one
operation. This was too proud and neither of us fulfilled his part.
So the Arabs exchanged the care of the placid Medina railway for the
greater burden of investing, in Maan, a Turk force as big as their
available Regular Army. To help in this duty Allenby increased our
transport, that we might have longer range and more mobility. Maan
was impregnable for us, so we concentrated on cutting its northern
Railway and diverting the Turkish effort to relieve its garrison
from the Amman side. Clearly no decision lay in such tactics: but
the German advance in Flanders at this moment took from Allenby his
British units: and consequently his advantage over the Turks. He
notified us that he was unable to attack. A stalemate, as we were,
throughout 1918 was an intolerable prospect. We schemed to
strengthen the Arab Army for autumn operations near Deraa and in the
Beni Sakhr country. If this drew off one division from the enemy in
Palestine it would make possible a British ancillary attack, one of
whose ends would be our junction in the lower Jordan valley, by
Jericho. After a month's preparation this plan was dropped, because
of its risk, and because a better offered.
Chapter 93. Away with Mirzuk - springtime -
Allenby falls back - amateur spying - death of Farraj.
Chapter 94. The Indians - capture of Semna -
attack on Maan - to Dawnay - his success - Young.
Chapter 95. An Allenby surprise - his reduced
strength - a gift of camels - plans to hold on - activity.
Chapter 96. Nasir in the lead - our biggest
demolition.
Chapter 97. Finding reinforcements for an Arab
offensive - Allenby works against time - King Hussein refuses.
BOOK IX: Manoeuvring for a
final stroke
Allenby, in rapid embodiment of reliefs from Mesopotamia and India,
so surpassed hope that he was able to plan an autumn offensive. The
near balance of the forces on each side meant that victory would
depend on his subtly deceiving the Turks that their entire danger
yet lay beyond the Jordan. We might help, by lying quiet for six
weeks, feigning a feebleness which should tempt the Turks to attack.
The Arabs were then to lead off at the critical moment by cutting
the railway communications of Palestine. Such bluff within bluff
called for most accurate timing, since the balance would have been
wrecked either by a premature Turkish retreat in Palestine, or by
their premature attack against the Arabs beyond Jordan. We borrowed
from Allenby some Imperial Camel Corps to lend extra colour to our
supposed critical situation; their success glorified them and
covered us, while preparations for Deraa went on with no more check
than an untimely show of pique from King Hussein.
Chapter 98. Allenby's ambitions - to fog the
Turks - Imperial Camel Corps for our sector - a raid against Deraa -
snatch-programme for the I.C.C. - supply problems become complicated
- smoothing the road.
Chapter 99. Timing the scheme Buxton - Nun
Shaalan - confirming the Rualla in their faith - Feisal preaching -
the great gulf between him and me.
Chapter 100. Atonement, redemption, dint of
consequence.
Chapter 101. Buxton's night attack - peace
negotiations - British promises to France, Sherif, Arab and Jew.
Chapter 103. My birthday, by good fortune, is
peaceful.
Chapter 104. A hostile raid - the I.C.C. on the
road - Buxton becomes mobile, and my men camel-drivers.
Chapter 105. Seen - renunciation - in the lodge
of Amruh - Azrak - with the armoured cars.
Chapter 106. King Hussein breaks out again - we
begin to repair damages - stopping little short of forgery.
BOOK X: The Liberation of
Damascus
Our mobile column of aeroplanes, armoured cars, Arab regulars and
Beduin, collected at Azrak to cut the three railways out of Deraa.
The southern line we cut near Mafrak; the northern at Arar; the
western by Mezerib. We circumnavigated Deraa, and rallied despite
air raids, in the desert. Next day Allenby attacked, and in a few
hours had scattered the Turkish armies beyond recovery. I flew to
Palestine for aeroplane help, and got orders for a second phase of
the thrust northward. We moved behind Deraa to hasten its
abandonment. General Barrow joined us; in his company we advanced to
Kiswe, and there met the Australian Mounted Corps. The united forces
entered Damascus unopposed. Some confusion manifested itself in the
city. We strove to allay it; Allenby arrived and smoothed out all
difficulties. Afterwards he let me go.
Chapter 107.
Winterton - at Azrak - a rest - plans - reinforcements -
concentration - first step.
Chapter 108. It
starts ill - an air fight - bombing Deraa - a Rolls-Royce operation
- running repairs.
Chapter 109. The
main line is captured - Peake and his tulips - aerial interference
Junor takes a hand.
Chapter 110. For
the Palestine line - Mezerib taken - our plunder and a great fire by
night attract visitors.
Chapter 111. A
classical project - waiting - prudence asserts her lovely self -
doing the round trip.
Chapter 113.
Visitors - shaking us up - shaking them up - need for air
reinforcement - a night muddle - Allenby in victory - the Royal Air
Force chiefs.
Chapter 114. Back
to duty - resisting importunity - an air success - the Handley-Page
- Nuri Shaalan.
Chapter 115.
Another bungle - the Turks break - a new departure - an opposition -
five different minds.
Chapter 116. An
army again in all men's eyes - three enterprises - a pause -
prisoners in handfuls.
Chapter 117. The main retreat -
its sting - Auda takes charge - blood thirst - the terror by night -
alone to Deraa - Barrow's welcome - Feisal.
Chapter 118. Very near
the end - war as she should be - a good recovery by the British -
military service.
Chapter 119. The
occupation of Damascus - the burning stores - at the Town Hall -
Auda breaks out upon the Druses - General Chauvel takes over chief
control.
Chapter 120.
Digging in - a new administration - public order - supplies - night
falls upon us unready.
Chapter 121.
Disorder at dawn - peace returns - the silent hospital - prisoners
of war - tired out.
Chapter 122. A
quiet morning - two standards of perfection - of Allenby - and of
Feisal - escape.
Epilogue
Why the taking of Damascus ended my efforts in Syria.
APPENDIX I
Nominal rolls of armoured cars and Talbot battery
APPENDIX II
A diary of place-names and dates
  
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