Masters of Mayhem: Lawrence of Arabia and the British Military Mission to the Hejaz Hardcover – Illustrated, August 2, 2018

Si se tiene interés en la guerra irregular, nunca está de más retornar a la clásica campaña de Lawrence, y este libro lo hace de forma magistral.

James Stejskal’s book is one of several minor books written to tie into the 100th Anniversary of WWI and the Arab Revolt and the Middle Eastern front of the war. I purchased the book to add to my collection of T.E. Lawrence books and an interest to see what new information could possibly be offered up by its author. It was a surprise to find the book a pleasure to read and full of interesting information even though many of the pages might be only a refresher course for those who have read other books on the subject. The book is unexpectedly thin with only 149 pages of main text plus a 24 page prologue and a few disconnected but interesting Appendixes. Stejskal was apparently a member of the “Great Arab Revolt Project” which was an archaeology expedition that determined that T.E. Lawrence’s classic SEVEN PILLARS OF WISDOM was in fact accurate in its military descriptions. The general thrust of Stejskal’s book is to highlight the many British officers’ contributions to the Eastern Front and support of the Arab Revolt. He debunks the idea that Lawrence did it alone which is a thought you might get from watching the David Lean film but not even Lawrence or even Lowell Thomas ever tried to submit that Lawrence could have done what he did alone. Stejskal does however heap a lot of praise on Lawrence’s contributions throughout the book. Unfortunately Stejskal downplays Arab contributions (they fought for gold and loot) and enlisted men (I don’t recall any being mentioned). The real story here is how various military elements were combined to complement each other leading to the defeat of the Turks and capture of Damascus. One focus of the book is the introduction of the Rolls Royce Automobile and its partnering Rolls Royce Tender car and how they were used in the Guerrilla war Lawrence, the Arabs and others fought against the Turkish controlled Hejaz railroad. In the books Epilogue there is a short review of how the tactics learned in WWI helped in gaining acceptance for the cars in desert fighting in WWII. I do not recall any other book covering the contributions of these cars any better than what Stejskal does here. He also covers in some detail the air campaign that supported the revolt with its surveillance and bombing along the railways. I think there is the material here for longer and more specific histories and biographies on these subjects. Now, whom do I recommend this book too. I don’t see this as the first book you would read about Lawrence, the Arab Revolt or even the military campaign. But for those like me who can’t really get enough of the charismatic eccentric Lawrence of Arabia and the Arab Revolt this should be on your must read list. I want to add to my review here a short comment on another book that I just got over Christmas and I think many people might like. It is LAWRENCE OF ARABIA’S WAR, DAY BY DAY (2018) Edited by Alison Jolley. This is a book that is a result from a project by the T.E. Lawrence Society commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Arab revolt. They posted each day over the past couple of years like a diary what Lawrence was doing one hundred years ago. For example the book will tell where Lawrence was and if there is a letter or section from Seven Pillars where he describes events of that particular day. It’s a marvelous research book and simply an astounding achievement. That said I don’t see my reading it cover to cover but I do see using the book as a reference. The last entry is 4 October 1918: “In the evening, Lawrence is driven away from Damascus in the Blue Mist. He will never return.” If you want more info on the Blue Mist check out Stejskal’s book.

Author James Stejskal distills "Seven Pillars of Wisdom" back to it's day by day genesis. While the book can be a bit confusing at first due to the unfamiliar Arabic names and places, Author Stejskal has woven together the threads of what would become the Arab Revolt with the fall of the Ottoman Empire, and the birth of the British Special Forces/LRDG. For those with a serious interest in the pre-history of the SAS, SOE, and the LRDG, this is a must read book. The Author carefully moves from the Macro theatre overview to the action of the objective moments of TE Lawrence and his desert pirates raiding the Turkish railheads. While short and to the point, this book serves a spot on you bookshelf.Ron18Z50

This book is so well done. To any military trained individual it presents a very graphic and detailed view of the subject matter, combined with an outstanding and relevant mix of unconventional warfare developed by Lawrence and his colleagues during the period. The author has well identified in this book, the beginnings of both the British SAS and the unconventional/asymmetrical warfare doctrine practiced around the world today.

This book ties together the intelligence, logistics, politics, manpower, Rolls Royce Armored cars, airplanes, camels and the psychology required to conduct unconventional warfare. Be sure to read the Appendix in the back for details on these subjects. VERY GOOD READING.

A fascinating look at the military innovations of TE Lawrence. This book looks at the way Lawrence changed the way future wars would be fought. The book can get dry at times but there is a lot of information here. The text is accompanied by some wonderful historic photographs. Anyone with an interest in Military History and Lawrence will enjoy this book.

Well written. I learned a lot on a subject that I thought I knew. Highly recommended.

Husband loves the book

A really good account of the unconventional war waged by TE Lawrence against the Turkish forces in WW1. How this all influenced later war strategies adopted by the SAS and other special forces and guerrilla armies is well explained.

J S writes as if he had been there: he produces a book which is a mine of information without getting bothered with all the personality autopsy: he is erudite to a fault. No book betters his on this subject: further he writes as if he has served in the British military. I'll read it again.Perhaps he'll write for us on the SAS in their WW2 campaigns.

A great read that adds a practical military aspect to a story often clouded in romanticism. Whilst a long time fan of the Seven Pillars of Wisdom it was good to read the wider context of the British Military Mission to Hejaz beyond Lawrence’s personal perspective. An important contribution to understanding of the wider Arab Revolt that still impacts on the world today.

An easy to read summary of the campaign in the middle east including the role of Lawrence in the Arab Revolt and the British (and to some extent French) role in that war zone.

A fascinating history of one of the Great War's "sideshows"