In the Oxford Mail of 22 Dec 1977, this critique was published by Keith Robertson of the book “Solitary in the Ranks” Lawrence as airman and private soldier”, by H Montgomery Hyde and published by Constable.
“Lawrence may have sought solitude when he refused offers of high office and instead listed in the ranks as an airman.
What he tried to do, at all convincingly, was to cover up his tracks and remain unknown under the name of Aircraftman Shaw. His was an odd way of shunning the limelight.
An Aircraftman who went to dinner with the Chief of Air Staff, was a guest of Lady Astor at Clivedon, and entertained Bernard Shaw, Thomas Hardy and E M Forster at his cottage, could hardly hope to escape notice.
It is to forget now how very famous Lawrence was during and after the 1914-18 war. His was one of the few glamorous success stories in a long and dreary struggle.
Churchill and King George V, two of his ardent admirers, would have given him anything. He refused everything, changed his name, but still dallied with the great world. It was a strange half-and-half attitude which H Montgomery Hyde explores with perception and sympathy.”
Keith Robertson 22 Dec 1977