Masters of Mayhem: Lawrence of Arabia and the British Military Mission to the Hejaz

Stejskal (Horns of the Beast), a former Special Forces operator, adds to the Lawrence of Arabia story and makes a convincing case that the roots of modern special operations, particularly effective guerrilla warfare, are to be found in British participation in the Arab Revolt against Ottoman Turkish rule during WWI. He begins with background on the Middle East in WWI, providing ample context. The revolt began inauspiciously with a failed attempt to capture Medina from the Turks. British colonel T.E. Lawrence is a critical figure in this narrative but not the only one; the primary focus is on “Hedgehog,” the British command responsible for supporting, advising, and coordinating the revolt in innovative fashion. Hedgehog employed the most advanced technology of the era: mobile artillery, armored cars, aircraft, radios, and demolitions. These technologies and expert advice from the British military about integrating guerrillas into conventional campaigns allowed the Arab Bedouin army to outfight and outmaneuver the larger conventional Ottoman army. This is an interesting and informative addition to the existing literature, and will be enjoyed by both experts and readers new to the topic. [em](Aug.) [/em]