Hero: The Life and Legend of Lawrence of Arabia

By: Michael Korda

Narrated by: Robin Sachs

Length: 14 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

Michael Korda's Hero is the story of an epic life on a grand scale: a revealing, in-depth, and gripping biography of the extraordinary, mysterious, and dynamic Englishman whose daring exploits and romantic profile - including his blond, sun-burnished good looks and flowing white robes - made him an object of intense fascination, still famous the world over as "Lawrence of Arabia".

An Oxford scholar and archaeologist, one of five illegitimate sons of a British aristocrat who ran away with his daughters' governess, Lawrence was sent to Cairo as a young intelligence officer in 1916. He vanished into the desert in 1917, only to emerge later as one of the greatest, and certainly most colorful, figures of World War One. Though a foreigner, he played a leading and courageous part in uniting the Arab tribes to defeat the Turks, and eventually capture Damascus, transforming himself into a world-famous hero, hailed as "the Uncrowned King of Arabia".

In illuminating Lawrence's achievements, Korda digs further than anyone before him to expose the flesh-and-blood man and his contradictory nature. And as Korda shows in his brilliantly readable and formidably authoritative biography, Lawrence was not only a man of his times; he was a visionary whose accomplishments - as a farsighted diplomat and kingmaker, military strategist of genius, perhaps the first modern "media celebrity" (and one of the first victims of it), and an acclaimed writer - transcended his era.

Korda examines Lawrence's vision for the modern Middle East - plans that, had they been carried through, might have prevented the hatred and bloodshed that have become ubiquitous in the region.

Ultimately, as this magisterial work demonstrates, Lawrence remains one of the most unique and fascinating figures of modern times, the arch-hero whose life is at once a triumph and a sacrifice and whose capacity to astonish still remains undimmed.

©2010 Success Research Corporation (P)2010 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

“Much has been written about him, but no one has succeeded in illuminating the quintessential Lawrence of Arabia so profoundly and so well as Michael Korda. Hero is a work of brilliance, discernment and meticulous scholarship that surely will be hailed as the gold standard.” (Henry A. Kissinger)

“This magisterial biography of British soldier and adventurer T.E. Lawrence celebrates a life spent subverting authority in the most glamorous - and bizarre - ways. Korda’s vivid portrait of Lawrence and his warring impulses captures the brilliance and charisma of this fascinating figure.” ( Publishers Weekly)

“Comprehensive.... An accessible, textured story of one man who intimately knew the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune.” ( Kirkus Reviews)

Thoroughly enjoyed!

Loved it . TE Lawrence remains a facinating topic and this book describes the man in an interesting way

A masterpiece!

Well read with a comfortable quick speed and beautiful pronunciation of Arabic names. The book it self might be the best biography I have read. It is honest, intellectual and well structured and written.

Avoid Abridged Audiobooks

First, I find Robin Sachs to be the best narrator in the field of military history, That is a large part of the reason I selected this book.
However, as mentioned by someone else, it is an abridged version. I found this to be very disappointing. No significant time is spent on Lawrence's childhood or his days at Oxford. Why was he so interested in the Middle east to begin with? No insight is provided on this point. In fact, the concluding paragraphs of the book make reference to parts of the book that are not included in this abridged edition. I fail to see why it was necessary to use an abridged version in the first place.

Amazing story, good narration

This was a fascinating story. I've been ignorant for so long about the legend of Lawrence of Arabia. It's an amazing tale, and there's plenty of detail. There's a few academic and dry spots near the end, but it is a pretty good intro to the whole story. I found myself Googling for more info at the end of it (and this is a long book too). I really enjoyed it, the british narrator seems to really fit the tone of the writing too.

Well written and aptly performed

Extremely descriptive and very grabbing.
Thoroughly enjoyable and should be enjoyed by any who value not just historic figures, but the character behind them as well.

Excellent

I knew almost nothing about TE Lawrence before listening to this book. Now I feel pretty well informed on this amazing and historical figure. This also added to my knowledge of the Arab world. The book tells a great story, and one that is more interesting than fiction. It is long, but I enjoyed the whole thing. The most interesting was certainly the war years, but the aftermath was well told, and kept my interest.

A tale so marvelous it can only be fiction.

The story of perhaps Great Britain's greatest hero or at least, their finest offering in the 20th Century. Like Cincinnatus, he chose to live in the shadows after exhibiting his preeminence, just where the men of privilege and hubris wanted him to stay. If nothing else, T. E. Lawrence proves England is not a meritocracy.

Excellent book, sadly abridged

The late Robin Sachs is the perfect narrator for this sweeping account of the life of T.E. Lawrence. The picture that emerges is one of a man even more human, even more tragically flawed than the tall, blue eyed Peter O'Toole version. I have zero complaints, I'm only withholding a star because it's a great book but there is no unabridged option.

riveting historical account!

This is a very well researched account that presents T E Lawrence as a person, real, a mixture of strengths and weakness; a person who overcame his own doubts and fears to a point, and shone brightly as a leader, made for the trial, the revolt in Arabia required. This book is a look at the man and leader not just the story of his legendary time in the desert. The narraration added to the story and Robin Sachs added to the authentic feel of the book with his British accent. I very much enjoyed this book and have recommended it to my friends.

The Legend of Lawrence

This was a great book and narrative on the life of World War I legend T.E. Lawrence. It gives great detail and insight into his war years, a little on his childhood and postwar years. The only drawback is that it is an abridged version of the book. I wish it would have been the whole book. Other than that it is a great biography!