Anthony Sattin

A somewhat detailed history of the world from an unexpected perspective.
Most of history was passed along via meticulous oral tradition until cuneiform and runes began followed by words on a surface. Please do not mistake a lack of what we call literacy with a lack of intelligence (most of us have a hard enough time re-enacting time periods only a couple of centuries past). Nomads/wanderers are shown from most areas of the globe, but primarily from Eurasia/China/the Mediterranean. This work is extremely readable and I look forward to getting my own permanent copy.
The audiobook is narrated by the author, and you can never go wrong with that! Besides, his voice is pleasant and appropriately pronounced.
I requested and received a temporary audiobook from HighBridge Audio via NetGalley. Thak you!
Did you know that 1 in every 200 men today shares DNA with Genghis Khan?… (más)

An interesting book, centring more on Lawrence the archaeologist than Lawrence the spy, Lawrence the writer, or Lawrence the sexual adventurer. Thus the book has a great deal about TEL as an undergraduate, and TEL the grad student looking for a job. There are interesting bits about his career as an interested amateur archaeologist, and his long bicycle trips when in England.
There is a great deal about early Hittite archaeology and the dig at Carchemish/Jerablus.
Coupled with Scott Anderson's "Lawrence in Arabia" a reasonable biography of TEL's early life up to 1918 can be revealed.
This is the American edition, and the English title was "Young Lawrence: A Portrait of the legend as a young man"… (más)

At the outset I must state that I am no Lawrence scholar, he just keeps edging into the spheres of historical interest that I pursue. So whilst I do have a number of his books, and others of him, on my shelves I am no 'expert' on the subject.
That said, I have found this book absorbing. As much for its evocation of a time and places long gone as for the insight into the development of the young Lawrence. With the benefit of hindsight, but what biography does not have this advantage, Sattin directs his text in the direction of the inevitable denouement. It becomes clear that every move, decision or action of the youthful Lawrence is preparing him for the Arab Revolt.
In many ways Lawrence was the product of his age. The odd Englishman in search of a knightly quest to occupy (justify?) his life. Through his searches into the Crusades as a student and the Hittite civilisation as an archaeologist Lawrence came to feel an affinity for the peoples and land of what is today Syria.
In his 'relationship' with Dahoum all available evidence is presented. That no conclusion about their relationship can be reached is really not surprising. Lawrence appears as a very secretive person. His pre-war autobiographical book, also titled The Seven Pillars of Wisdom, may have held the key but was burned by Lawrence at the beginning of the war. From what evidence and writings do exist it is clear that Lawrence loved Dahoum, but in which sense we will never know.
This is a book that can be enjoyed in its own right. You do not have to have an interest in Lawrence of Arabia, but it might make you want to read more about him.… (más)