RYAN, ROBERT — Empire of Sand

UK, Headline. 2008. Hardcover with dust jacket, 24 Cm. Book, 374pp & 800g to post, from Edinburgh Library (usual kiltish markings) 1915: While the war in Europe escalates, a young intelligence officer named Thomas Edward Lawrence is in Cairo, awaiting his chance for action. His superiors, however, have consigned him to the Map Room at GCHQ. But there's more to Lieutenant Lawrence than meets the eye. A man of immense energy, he runs a network of agents across the Levant. Lawrence is convinced that an Arab revolt is the only way to remove the Ottoman presence, and leave a free, self-governed Arabia. Soon alarming reports reach him of trouble in Persia, orchestrated by infamous German agent Wilhelm Wassmuss. Intent on taking down Wassmuss, Lawrence assembles a small group and travels to Persia. Little does he know that his actions will bring about a resolution that might just save the lives of millions of men in the trenches of Europe. As Empire of Sand pleasurably demonstrates, Ryan's interest in history is giving him a very wide remit, and the book is in fact a vigorous reinvention of the life of Thomas Edward Lawrence -- Lawrence of Arabia, no less. It is a brave author who takes on a figure quite as iconic as T E Lawrence; apart from David Lean's celebrated movie, there is of course, Lawrence's own classic account of his desert campaign, The Seven Pillars of Wisdom). But it is to Ryan's considerable credit that his epic novel is more than able to hold its own in this luminous company. reviewer says >> Brilliant piece of work, a joy to read and be educated at the same time! , Very Good/Very Good.