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.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Robert Ryan has long been one of the most accomplished writers is in what might loosely be called the crime and thriller field, demonstrating a masterly authority when it comes to evoking a variety of historical eras (notably the Second World War). But as Empire of Sand pleasurably demonstrates, Ryan's interest in history is giving him a very wide remit, and the book is in fact a vigorous reinvention of the life of Thomas Edward Lawrence -- Lawrence of Arabia, no less. It is a brave author who takes on a figure quite as iconic as T E Lawrence; apart from David Lean’s celebrated movie, there is of course, Lawrence's own classic account of his desert campaign, The Seven Pillars of Wisdom). But it is to Ryan's considerable credit that his epic novel is more than able to hold its own in this luminous company.
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
A sweeping epic novel about Lawrence of Arabia, one of the most compelling characters in British history, from bestselling author Robert Ryan
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Shipping:
£ 4.80
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
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
Quantity: 2 available
Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
Hardback. Condition: Good. The book has been read but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact and the cover is intact. Some minor wear to the spine. Seller Inventory # GOR005185210
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
Hardback. Condition: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR003739302
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: WeBuyBooks, Rossendale, LANCS, United Kingdom
Condition: VeryGood. Most items will be dispatched the same or the next working day. Seller Inventory # wbs7143810213
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Better World Books Ltd, Dunfermline, United Kingdom
Condition: Very Good. Ships from the UK. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects. Seller Inventory # 50254877-20
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Kazoo Books LLC, Kalamazoo, MI, U.S.A.
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
Quantity: 2 available
Seller: Alpha 2 Omega Books BA, Southampton, HANTS, United Kingdom
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
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: GF Books, Inc., Hawthorne, CA, U.S.A.
Condition: Very Good. Book is in Used-VeryGood condition. Pages and cover are clean and intact. Used items may not include supplementary materials such as CDs or access codes. May show signs of minor shelf wear and contain very limited notes and highlighting. 1.59. Seller Inventory # 0755343352-2-3
Quantity: 1 available