Perceptive and extremely well-researched. . . . Gordon skillfully unravels the complex maneuvering between the military and civilians during the first two years [of military rule].
Peter Mansfield, Times Literary Supplement Elegantly written . . . a subtle and effective view of the period . . . a new perspective that takes ... Read morethe military success much less for granted.
Robert L. Tignor, Middle East Journal Well-researched and dispassionate. . . . It is good to be reminded, through Gordon's detailed study of this period, how provisional, extempore, and contingent the works of politics and history are.
Charles Tripp, Times Higher Education Supplement Will likely become the standard work on the early years of military rule in Egypt . . . a carefully researched and original view of the period.
Selma Botman, American Historical Review Joel Gordon's pathbreaking and insightful analysis of the 1952 Revolution proves to be even more relevant in light of Egypt's current struggles. A classic that should be required reading for anyone interested in understanding revolutionary politics in Egypt, past or present.
Laura Bier, author of Revolutionary Womanhood: Feminism, Modernity, and the State in Nasser's Egypt A model of scholarly integrity and stylistic elegance, this has long stood as the classic account of Egypt's revolutionary moment in the 1950s. No other book tells the story of Egypt's transition from the rule of the pashas to that of the soldiers as well. Within the context of recent challenges to the authoritarian order in the Arab world that Nasser did so much to inspire, the book's reissue is timely and welcome.
John Calvert, author of Sayyid Qutb and the Origins of Radical Islam Show Less