Lawrence of Arabia and American Culture

Departing from prior scholarship, this work examines the popular culture machinery involved in the manufacture of modern heroes.

By the 1960s, the Lawrence of Arabia story had become a small commercial industry.

The volume challenges conclusions about the relationship between Lawrence and Lowell Thomas, demonstrating it was much closer than Lawrence biographers have previously thought or were willing to admit.

Departing from prior scholarship on T. E. Lawrence, this work examines the extent of Anglo-American cultural interplay and the popular culture machinery involved in the manufacture of the Lawrence of Arabia legend. Although not recognized as such, the Lawrence legend was as much an American product as a British one. American journalist Lowell Thomas first publicized the story through war travelogues given in New York City, which soon found their way to England. The legend was perpetuated by American literary interest in Lawrence and then by a Hollywood film. By the 1960s, the Lawrence of Arabia story had become a small commercial industry. The volume challenges conclusions about the relationship between Lawrence and Lowell Thomas, demonstrating it was much closer than Lawrence biographers have previously thought or were willing to admit. It also illustrates that American involvement in the construction and propagation of the Lawrence legend is greater than believed. The book features several unpublished or rare photographs as well as draws upon previously unpublished manuscript material, business letters, and supporting documents to recreate the origins of the popular legend of Lawrence of Arabia.