Setting the Desert on Fire: T.E. Lawrence and Britain's Secret War in Arabia, 1916-1918

The full story behind the desert revolt made famous by TE Lawrence in 'Seven Pillars of Wisdom' and the film 'Lawrence of Arabia'.

It is 1916. The Allies are struggling in the Great War. The Ottoman Sultan calls for a pan-Islamic jihad against all non-Muslims except Germans. But Sharif Husein, ruler of the holy city of Mecca, is smarting under Turkish rule, fomenting Arab nationalism and lobbying the British to support him. It seems to the British a good idea secretly to encourage an Arab revolt.

'Setting the Desert on Fire' is a masterly account of this key moment made legendary by TE Lawrence, but here filled with a wide range of characters including the British Prime Minister Lloyd George, whose desire to capture' Jerusalem by Christmas' had consequences that reverberate to this day.