THIS BOOK SHINES A LIGHT ON LAWRENCE'S MILITARY ACHIEVEMENTS, HIS MAJOR CAMPAIGNS AND THE IMPACT THAT HIS INFLUENCE HAD ON SHAPING THE WAR IN THE MIDDLE EAST. Thomas Edward Lawrence, more popularly known as Lawrence of Arabia, is remembered today more for his immortalization on stage and screen rather than for his dramatic exploits in the Middle East during the First World War. Lawrence quickly rose to prominence following the outbreak of the Arab Revolt in 1916. His skills in Arab languages helped him co-ordinate Navy support in an effort to regain captured coastal ports, whilst gathering widespread local support and building up the Arab Northern Army. He pioneered new tactics, which would shape British strategy four decades later, recognising the importance of aircraft, mobile artillery and armour in desert warfare. In two short years the obscure staff officer had attained the rank of full colonel and helped to shape the outcome of the war in the Middle East.