Introducing a new book published in February of 2023: The Uncrowned King & the Desert Queen by Lorraine Tinsley (ISBN: 9788899838812).
Lorraine Tinsley is familiar to T.E. Lawrence aficionados having delivered papers at the bi-annual Symposium of the T.E. Lawrence Society, so as might be expected the scholarship is excellent. The book brings together many aspects of both TE and Bell, covering such as Bell’s earlier travels, the Paris and Cairo Conferences etc., giving it an appeal to a far wider audience than just TE scholars. It provides insights into aspects of both of their lives and of a mutual affection and respect, if occasional exasperation. The “footnotes” being just that, at the foot of each page make the volume’s use for reference work so much better. It is also refreshing to see both a useful bibliography and an index (despite TE’s thoughts on the matter!). It is also good to have the “Essential Letters” Appendix. There are extracts from actual correspondence which adds an extra dimension.
The book is well produced by Italian publisher Lorenzo de’ Medici Press. Very nicely printed, with a good typeface and layout, all on cream paper making for a relaxed and approachable read. It lays open nicely, as all good books should, despite being a paperback as it has been bound in gatherings.
The volume is available at the reasonable price of £25 (£20 to members of the T.E. Lawrence Society).
