t.e.lawrence
Photograph of Auda Abu Tayeh
Tonight on PBS they will be showing "Lawrence of Arabia: The Battle for the Arab World" which I think should be very interesting.
Everything I know about Lawrence comes from the Movie 'Lawrence of Arabia" starring Peter O'Toole, Alec Guiness Omar Shariff and Anthony Quinn who all but steals the show playing a Howeitat warlord named Auda Abu Tayeh...
"Many considered Auda the real hero of the Arab revolt. Lawrence described him as the "greatest fighting man in northern Arabia". Auda could trace his roots back through many generations of great desert Howeitat warriors of the Arabian peninsula. He epitomized everything noble, powerful and proud about the Bedouin...."
From the PBS Homepage
The events of the Arab Revolt against the Turks take place during WWI and I have to believe that they shaped whatever it is thats going on there now.
If this is not interesting enough for you, then T.E. Lawrence certainly must be.
After World War I begins, Lawrence becomes an intelligence officer in the British Army. His mission is to gather information about an Arab Revolt planned against Turkish rulers. In return for a promise guaranteeing their independence, the Arabs join the war on the British side. But a secret agreement between the British and French will renege on the promise and shatter the dream. Torn by conflicting loyalties, Lawrence continues to assist the Arabs, becoming more deeply entrenched in their fight. Against all odds, he leads them in a daring attack on the Turkish port of Aqaba. It takes the Turks utterly by surprise and is a stunning success. The victory is a turning point for Lawrence, the Arabs, and the British.
From the introduction of Lawrences' historical account "The Seven pillars of Wisdom"
"Some Englishmen, of whom Kitchener was chief, believed that a rebellion of Arabs against Turks would enable England, while fighting Germany, simultaneously to defeat Turkey. Their knowledge of the nature and power and country of the Arabic-speaking peoples made them think that the issue of such a rebellion would be happy: and indicated its character and method. So they allowed it to begin... "
I suppose these "Arabic-speaking peoples" have seen it all before...
2 comments:
It is funny how age and knowledge changes a person's perception. I first saw this movie when I was 11. I now watch it when I can, but agree with you, this is the beginning of our problems with the Middle East. Our alliance with the French gave back many countries to them, including Viet Nam, after the Allies used them to gain their freedom. Ho Chi Minh wanted teachers from the US and we agreed to that and their independence during WWII. We gave it back to France. We double crossed a lot of people during and after that war, making it less honorable than it should be.
GOOD mOVIE, GOOOD SCORE...i LIKE fEISALS LINES AT THE END OF THE mOVIE TO ALLENBY...TELLING ALLENBY
'YOU MUST MERELY BE A GENERAL...BUT I...MUST BE A KING"
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