Mr. Lawrence became famous after the First World War because of the remarkable role he had played while serving as a British liaison officer during the Arab Revolt of 1916-18.

Let those who would denounce this man, first tell us of their sacrifices. Mr. Lawrence descended into the bowels of hell with only the clothes on his back. He left behind loved ones, friends, money, and security in hopes of being able to better understand his fellow man. He ate, slept, and traveled with these people. In 1916, he joined the Arab forces under Faisal al Husayn and became a leader in their revolt against Turkish domination. His use of small rapid assaults succeeded in tying down large Turkish armies with an Arab force of only a few thousand. Did he accomplish what he had hoped and prayed for? No, I don't think so. And I know how he felt; I accomplished nothing in Vietnam. There have been many interpretations of his search for anonymity: his feeling that he had betrayed Arab hopes for independence or, conversely, the conviction that he had done everything possible for his Arab friends and could do no more; an almost pathological aversion to publicity; emotional disturbances produced by his war experiences.

Lawrence of Arabia, staring Peter O'Toole (1962). If you've not seen this movie, I strongly recommend it. There are few men who I would serve as a valet; Mr. Thomas Edward Lawrence is that exception.

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