Thomas Edward Lawrence, more popularly known as Lawrence of Arabia, is remembered today more for his immortalization on stage and screen rather than for his dramatic exploits in the Middle East during the First World War. This book shines a light on his military achievements, his major campaigns and the impact that his influence had on shaping the war in the Middle East. Lawrence quickly rose to prominence following the outbreak of the Arab Revolt in 1916. His skills in Arab languages helped him co-ordinate Navy support in an effort to regain captured coastal ports, whilst gathering widespread local support and building up the Arab Northern Army. He pioneered new tactics, which would shape British strategy four decades later, recognising the importance of aircraft, mobile artillery and armour in desert warfare. In two short years the obscure staff officer had attained the rank of full colonel and helped to shape the outcome of the war in the Middle East.

Author Biography

Dr David Murphy currently lectures in the History Department (Centre for Military History and Strategic Studies) at NUI Maynooth. Since 2006, he has been involved in defence-studies programmes at the Irish Military College. He was a major contributor to the Dictionary of Irish Biography and has published several books. His previous publications for Osprey include Elite 147: Irish Regiments in the World Wars and Campaign 202: The Arab Revolt, 1916-18. He is a member of several societies including the Military History Society of Ireland and the T. E. Lawrence Society. Giuseppe Rava was born in Faenza in 1963, and took an interest in all things military from an early age. Entirely self-taught, Giuseppe has established himself as a leading military-history artist, and is inspired by the works of the great military artists, such as Detaille, Meissonier, Rochling, Lady Butler, Ottenfeld and Angus McBride. He lives and works in Italy.