# Appendix 2 explained — Seven Pillars of Wisdom

> Chapter companion for Seven Pillars of Wisdom by T. E. Lawrence.

## What happens

A chronological log of Lawrence's movements and positions from 1917 to 1918, drawn from his skeleton diary, with notes on gaps, memory, and transliteration choices.

## Themes in this chapter

### Suffering and Endurance

The relentless travel and harsh conditions implied by the diary entries reflect the physical endurance required.

### War and Guerrilla Tactics

The movements trace the guerrilla campaign across the desert, including raids and strategic positioning.

## Character check-ins

### T.E. Lawrence

Author and diarist; records his own movements and positions.

## Key lines

> The following table of our movements or position-at-night is from my skeleton diary.

This table of our nightly positions comes from my abbreviated diary.

_Lawrence introduces the appendix as a record of his movements._

> Accident, preoccupations, and prudence were responsible for gaps.

Gaps in the diary are due to chance, distractions, and caution.

_Lawrence explains why some dates are missing._

> Arabic names are spelt anyhow, to prevent my appearing an adherent of one of the existing 'systems of transliteration.'

I spell Arabic names inconsistently to avoid endorsing any particular transliteration system.

_Lawrence deliberately avoids standardized spelling._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se/chapters/appendix-2
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se/chapters