The Young T.E. Lawrence

By: Anthony Sattin

Narrated by: Anthony Sattin

Length: 10 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

An intimate biography of the years that turned T. E. Lawrence into Lawrence of Arabia.

Lawrence of Arabia's heroism during the Arab revolt and his disgust at the subsequent betrayal of the Arabs in the postwar negotiations have become the stuff of legend. But T. E. Lawrence's adventures in the Levant began long before the outbreak of war.

This intimate biography is the first to focus on Lawrence in his twenties, the untold story of the awkward archaeologist from Oxford who, on first visiting the East, fell in love with Arab culture and found his life's mission. Few people realize Lawrence's classic autobiography, Seven Pillars of Wisdom, was not the first book to carry that iconic title. Lawrence himself burned his original draft. Anthony Sattin here uncovers the story Lawrence wanted to conceal: the truth of his birth, his tortuous relationship with a dominant mother, his deep affection for an Arab boy, and the personal reasons that drove him from student to spy.

Drawing on surviving letters, diaries, and accounts from close confidantes, Sattin brings a biographer's eye for detail and a travel writer's verve to Lawrence's extraordinary journeys through the region with which his name is forever connected.

In a masterful parallel narrative, The Young T. E. Lawrence charts the maturation of the man and the incipient countries he treasured, both coming of age at a time when the world's foundations were coming undone. The author has explored and followed in the footsteps of Lawrence, and it shows in his deep understanding of his goals, why he did what he did, and how he managed...

©2014 Anthony Sattin (P)2015 Audible Inc.

Critic reviews

"A masterful account of the beginnings of a unique man." (Kirkus)

“Anthony Sattin proves that the British know how to write a great adventure as well as how to have one. This highly readable book never lacks the big story but it also does not let that history lose the hero.” (Robert Davis-New York Journal of Books)

Insightful

And insightful and fascinating story that I thoroughly enjoyed. It explains very much about the functioning of Lawrence and his association with the area in which he became famous.

Fascinating part of Lawrence’s story

This is a fascinating part of Lawrence’s story and is a great prelude to reading Seven Pillars of Wisdom or any of the many war years biographies. Anthony Sattin is a great writer and reader.

As the Twig is Bent

Imagining Lawrence collecting potsherds as a a very young person set me along the path to understanding what followed in his legendary career. The descriptions of his desert study and archaeological efforts clothed his wartime exploits in credibility. This is an axel lent prequel to the story of his part in WWII.

Beautifully narrated account of T.E. Lawrence. This is a must have audiobook!!!

This narrative covers a broad range of both common & rare texts. It is extremely well researched, concise, heartfelt and deeply insightful. Great work!

Absolutely Stunning

This is easily one of my favorite books about Lawrence.

It’s exactly what I was looking for. Great stories about Lawrence’s youth. Very useful information.

A must-read for all “Lawrence” fans!

I am so impressed by this book. Remarkably insightful, extremely well written. The author shows the shaping of the man quite clearly, the motivations that spring from his heart and experienced. Lawrence was even more gifted than we’d realised.

The author also self-narrates his book very skilfully and enjoyably. I cannot recommend this boom enough.