Lawrence of Arabia the enigma.

[Kenn]

Having read "The Seven Pillars of Wisdom," several times, watched the not totally historically accurate film many more and followed several documentaries both trying to prove and disprove his achievements I am still left in a quandry.
Was the man a brilliant visionary.a mere dreamer,verging on insanity or just a geat exponent of guerilla warfare?
Was it inevitable that he had to be side lined when The Turks finally surrendered and the political masters carved up what we now know as The Middle East leaving him isolated with his vision of an arab nation?

[pat]

Have been fascinated by this fellow since I touched his RAF medical records in my late teens - had heard about him before this but history began to come alive and have some meaning that day on the outskirts of London when I saw the documents.

I do believe he was an extreme exponent of guerrilla warfare, verging on the cusp of insanity and had fantastic foresight verging on being a visionary.

Folk often say Churchill was insane and a visionary - I understand they now believe he was manic depressive or bi-polar. He was also I understand at times verging on the cusp of insanity, maybe the visionary part is being able to see things in a completely different way, having the belief in yourself and your capability to carry your 'vision' through to successful conclusion.

Lawrence of Arabia ideas and achievements are incredible when you look back at the conditions, equipment, manpower - belief in self goes a very long way here.

[percy toboggan]

A lofty thread to which I can contribute little beyond acknowledging the mans fine taste in motor-cycles. A Brough Superior I believe, riding which on country lanes in Dorset led to his untimely death.

[Kevin Milkins]

A lofty thread to which I can contribute little beyond acknowledging the mans fine taste in motor-cycles. A Brough Superior I believe, riding which on country lanes in Dorset led to his untimely death.

I didn't know Peter O Toole had died.

[gleeber]

Having read "The Seven Pillars of Wisdom," several times, watched the not totally historically accurate film many more and followed several documentaries both trying to prove and disprove his achievements I am still left in a quandry.
Was the man a brilliant visionary.a mere dreamer,verging on insanity or just a geat exponent of guerilla warfare?
Was it inevitable that he had to be side lined when The Turks finally surrendered and the political masters carved up what we now know as The Middle East leaving him isolated with his vision of an arab nation?

I don't know much about laurence of Arabia but I knew a man who did. He often remarked that Laurences big abilty was being able to think like an Arab. The Arabs respected him and by the time he had sold his vision to the Arabs, his political masters had already stabbed him in the back.

[sweetpea]

A lofty thread to which I can contribute little beyond acknowledging the mans fine taste in motor-cycles. A Brough Superior I believe, riding which on country lanes in Dorset led to his untimely death.

Yes he was killed on it eventually.

[Whitewater]

Was the man a brilliant visionary.a mere dreamer,verging on insanity or just a geat exponent of guerilla warfare?

He was a little bit of all four as is often the case with great leaders. They seem to have that extra 'something' that we as mere mortals lack.

[Moira]

.....
Was the man a brilliant visionary.a mere dreamer,verging on insanity or just a geat exponent of guerilla warfare.....

I'm not sure LIZZ. I've not read the book - yet - but I did spend some time exploring some links about the man (when I should have been doing something else).