tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3692649928820274203.post5991902557335933303..comments2020-12-14T12:26:32.765-08:00Comments on T.E. Lawrence: A Biographical Review: Hero: The Life and Legend of Lawrence of Arabia (2010, Michael Korda)Groggy Dundeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14990254767008162244noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3692649928820274203.post-24060194261118892602012-08-19T06:11:00.866-07:002012-08-19T06:11:00.866-07:00Korda uses the "no footnotes" method of ...Korda uses the "no footnotes" method of referencing which is unfortunately common amongst popular historians today. Rick Perlstein does it too and it's supremely irritating. <br /><br />Korda's book though is very poor on sources generally - very few primary documents and little or no original research is evident. Mostly it's worth reading because Korda's a good storyteller. Groggy Dundeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14990254767008162244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3692649928820274203.post-90493084255712432362012-08-19T04:32:39.453-07:002012-08-19T04:32:39.453-07:00This was actually the first Lawrence bio I read. I...This was actually the first Lawrence bio I read. I do recall thinking it was just a little too lionising of Lawrence - it might have been the bit where he refers to Lawrence's 'blond, sun-burnished good looks' that overdid it for me! <br /><br />I found the first two chapters tough going at first. I think you're right that for someone who isn't already familiar with the Arab revolt (aside from the not very historically accurate depiction in the movie), it feels like a lot of names and places and dates are being thrown at you without the necessary background. There's something to be said for a linear narrative.<br /><br />I appreciated the space given to Lawrence's life after the war in this biography. For me it's one of the most interesting phases in his life. Overall the book is entertainingly written - and of course Lawrence's life is innately interesting - although I swear there were a few phrases or bits of information that were repeated several times throughout the book, that kept giving me a sense of deja vu.<br /><br />One thing I didn't like about it was the method of referencing Korda used. It's too bad I didn't become intensely interested in Lawrence a few years ago when I was still at university, because the level of disagreement over various aspects of his life has made me really appreciate good referencing. I think Prince of Our Disorder has the best footnotes; the Authorised Biography has the most!Laura Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10920405799794336189noreply@blogger.com