Setting the Desert on Fire is a detailed account of the actions of the British military in the middle east during WW1. Of course these events involved T.E. Lawrence. The book does drone on with lots of detailed military actions, both on the field and in impromptu meetings in tents, war rooms and the backs of camels. In a nutshell the British Government used Lawrence to grease the palms of Tribes, unite them (loosely) and recruit them as guerilla fighters against the Ottomans. The author is thorough and vivid, giving the reader not only a taste of the boredom that comes along with decision making, but the grit in the sand and the smell of camels. The author succeeds in this book by showing the reader all sides of the vents without being biased. It is easy to see the greed and inherent human nature on all fronts. Lawrence is extravagant and thoughtful and you would expect. ( )

This book has good potential, telling the tale of the Arab revolt against the Turks in WWI, but spends too much time describing, in much more than needed detail, the many day to day meetings between this tribal chief and that British officer, who traveled when to where, and which dispatch said this and that to some other diplomat back in France or England or wherever. As a strict history it does cover the subject, but it's a somewhat boring read unless you are really interested in the politics. Recommended with caution. ( )