# LXVIII explained — Seven Pillars of Wisdom

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

## What happens

Lawrence and Feisal prepare for a new operation, focusing on mining trains. Lawrence leads a raid with 150 men and a train of pack-camels, laying a powerful lyddite mine near Maan. After a failed water-train, they lay an electric mine and successfully ambush a Turkish train, destroying the locomotive and capturing supplies. The chapter highlights the psychological and tactical impact of these attacks, the training of Arab miners, and the broader strategic effect on Turkish logistics. Lawrence also reflects on his internal conflict and the fraudulent nature of his leadership.

## Themes in this chapter

### War and Guerrilla Tactics

Detailed description of mining trains, ambush tactics, and the psychological impact on the enemy; the 'no margins' motto of Akaba.

### Suffering and Endurance

Lawrence's physical pain from a scorpion sting and his mental anguish over the fraudulence of his leadership.

### Futility and Meaning

Lawrence questions the war as a 'folly' and his role as a 'crime'; the internal ache and self-doubt despite tactical success.

## Character check-ins

### T.E. Lawrence

Narrator and leader of the raid; reflects on his false authority and internal turmoil; oversees mining and ambush; wounded in the hip.

### Emir Feisal

Discusses politics, organisation and strategy with Lawrence; provides three young Damascenes for the raid.

### Captain Pisani

First volunteer for mining training; commands French at Akaba; sounds the battle-cry during the ambush.

### Gasim abu Dumeik

The raid is specially announced for Gasim's clan.

### Maulud el Mukhlus

Presides over the defense of Wadi Musa; uses a clever tactic to defeat the Turkish attack.

### Farraj

Holds Lawrence's camel during the ambush.

### Mohammed el Dheilan

Helps with the exploder and wire during the ambush.

### Saad

An Ageyli lent to the Beni Atiyeh; helps capture a train with Suleiman Rifada and twenty thousand pounds in gold.

## Key lines

> The fraudulence of my business stung me. Here were more fruits, bitter fruits, of my decision, in front of Akaba, to become a principal of the Revolt. I was raising the Arabs on false pretences, and exercising a false authority over my dupes

Lawrence feels guilty for deceiving the Arabs, exploiting their trust to further the revolt under false pretenses.

_Lawrence's internal conflict about his role and the moral cost of his leadership._

> We allowed no margin for accident: indeed 'no margins' was the Akaba motto, continuously in the mouths of all.

The Arab forces operated with no safety margin, relying on precise knowledge of the enemy and unorthodox tactics.

_Describes the high-risk, high-reward strategy of the Arab guerrilla campaign._

> The mine had taken out the near arch of the bridge. Of the locomotive, the firebox was torn open, and many tubes burst. The cab was cleared out, a cylinder gone, the frame buckled, two driving wheels and their journals shattered.

The explosion destroyed the bridge arch and severely damaged the locomotive, rendering it inoperable.

_Detailed account of the successful train ambush and its destructive effect._

## Links

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