Lawrence of Arabia on War by Robert Johnson is an intensely researched and well-written book about the military strategies, implications and lessons learned during the British military operations in the Near East led by T.E. Lawrence ie Lawrence of Arabia.

I won't lie, for a non-military person with very little background in or understanding of military strategy or operations or their diplomatic counterparts, this book was a challenge to get through. I just don't think in those terms, and there was a good bit of assumed knowledge which i did not possess. But it was worth the effort.

I should add here that the writing was clear, jargon-free and precise, the reading level was appropriate to the subject, and the book was well organized and properly scoped. For a reader more comfortable with deep digs into the intricate details, nuances and decision making considerations and protocols of war, Lawrence of Arabia on War would probably be a delight. My husband loved the book, and insisted it was a four-star read.

There's a lot of relevant and fascinating history packed into Lawrence of Arabia on War, and much of that history deeply impacts the current geopolitical and social landscape of the Middle East today. Having lived in the region for nearly 20 years, I've seen first-hand the ghosts of "Lawrence of Arabia" and the arbitrary divisions of tribal loyalties and affiliations that came out of his war. This book provided much needed insight and historical context for my own observations.

And, history is the best teacher. Especially straight-forward, well-written history.

This review is based on an advance copy read.