This is a novel about how Lawrence of Arabia honed his expertise and cultural understanding to become one of the most pivotal figures in the Arab revolt of World War One.
1915: While the war in Europe escalates, a young intelligence officer named Thomas Edward Lawrence is in Cairo, awaiting his chance for action. His superiors, however, have consigned him to the Map Room at GCHQ. But there's more to Lieutenant Lawrence than meets the eye. A man of immense energy, he runs a network of agents across the Levant. Lawrence is convinced that an Arab revolt is the only way to remove the Ottoman presence, and leave a free self-governed Arabia. Soon, alarming reports reach him of trouble in Persia, orchestrated by infamous German agent Wilhelm Wassmuss. Intent on taking down Wassmuss and, at the same time, unlocking the secret of his success, Lawrence assembles a small group and travels to Persia. Little does he know that his actions will bring about a resolution that might just save the lives of millions of men in the trenches of Europe.
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As the First World War tears Europe apart, an ambitious young officer in the intelligence services, Thomas Lawrence, is sent to Cairo, where he toils in the GHQ Map Room. But he is very different from many of the English officers who surround him -- he does not regard the Arab nation with the same disdain as many of his colleagues, and nurses a strong desire to do something positive for these people. His brief is to liaise with a cadre of spies in the Levant, and Lawrence comes to believe that it is his destiny to inaugurate an Arab revolt to unseat the oppressive Ottoman presence. But as the situation becomes more bloody and lethal (with a spate of kidnappings which are the work of a notorious German agent), Lawrence finds himself dealing with Captain Harold Quinn, assigned to kill the German agent, Wassmuss. And as Lawrence and Quinn (along with a crack team that they put together) begin a dangerous desert odyssey, they find that the hunter can very easily become the hunted.
While the excitements of a thriller narrative are well to the fore here (and handled with the panache that is Robert Ryan’s stock in trade), the author is well aware that a novel such as this must contain acute character analysis of such a complex figure as Lawrence -- and in that area, Ryan acquits himself with quite as much skill as he does in the more pulse-racing episodes of the novel. Empire of Sand has the reader wondering what other historical figures Ryan could bring this intriguing approach to. --Barry Forshaw
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Book Description Hardback. Condition: Fair. A readable copy of the book which may include some defects such as highlighting and notes. Cover and pages may be creased and show discolouration. Seller Inventory # GOR004965358
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Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Collectible - Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. Black cloth covers and yellow and black illustrated Dj. Brodart Cover. Signed by author on title page and sticker on front cover stating Signed at Waterstone's. 9.5x6.25 with 374 pp. Signed. Seller Inventory # 200091
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine. 1st Edition. London. Headline Publishing Group. 2008. First Edition/First Printing. (1 on copyright page under First Published 2008). Hard Cover. Black boards with gilt titles to spine. Book is in fine condition. Pictorial dust wrapper and apart from shelf wear to the head of the spine. Flat signed by the author without dedication to the title page. The legendary exploits of Lawrence of Arabia are the starting point for this captivating World War I suspense novel As the future of Europe is being decided in the muddy trenches of the Western Front. Signed by Author(s). Seller Inventory # DEC17.21001
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Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Near fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Near fine. First UK edition-first printing. Near fine condition. Headline Review, 2008. First UK edition-first printing (1). Black hardback (gilt lettering to the spine, small dent and nick on the edges of the cover) with Dj (small nicks and crease on the edges of the Dj cover), both in near fine condition. Illustrated with b/w maps. Nice and clean pages with small creases and nicks on the edges. 376pp. First edition. Seller Inventory # 12063