I have learned a great deal on the roots of Egypian politics by reading this book. Currently, the Middle East situation is so that we must all pay heed to the structure of those countries. I apologize for the demanding heading...I did not know what else to write. Botman does, however; this is quality.

This book was rockin...it helped me so much in my comparative politics course, especially when it was time to do my term paper. NOt only was it a good resource though, it really taught me about the middle east background and situation. I think that it's an important book to read whether or not you have to do so for class. Three cheers!

I had to read selections from this for my course at school about Egyptian politics. Actually, I only signed up because I heard the teacher liked hockey players a lot. But I read this book, the entire thing, not just the selections, because I needed to do well on the exam to maintain my GPA, since I'm an athlete. I read this and I got and A on the exam and a B+ in the class. THANK YOU SELMA BOTMAN! I didn't fail because I read the book and I learned a lot of things that I probably would have never known if I hadn't taken this course. I won't be a major in Eygptian politics, but I will at least know what I'm talking about when someone brings up something about MIddle Eastern politics. I GOT AN A! that's nuts. If I can get an A, you can too. Read this book, I swear your Profs will love you for it.

You should all go out and buy this book, or sit in your office and buy it online if you want. But where is the cover art? I really liked the picture on the cover, it's black and white and it's like a mass movement. Well, do not judge a book only by its cover (or lack thereof). You should buy this book; despite the amazon oversight of cover art, the text is way better than the image on the front.

I learned a lot about the current situation in the mid-east when I read this for class. It is so interesting to see a devout country that doesn't do the whole Jihad thing against America. I would recommend this book RIGHT NOW. you should get it and learn about the REAL situation there. great stuff.

I personally found this book very useful in understanding the status of women in Egypt, but also the entire Mid-East. I was able to see that female discrimination did not end in Afghanistan with the Taliban. This book shed a light on an under-represented area of social studies (in my opinion). I would recommend it fully.

i read this book as a supplement to my current course in middle eastern politics, spanning from 1800-the present. this book was very informative in explaing the reasons for revolution and instability in eygpt. this was very helpful for my final papaer and exam, and i recommend it to any poli-sci majors.

I took a class in modern Egyptian politics and this book really helped me understand and become more interested in Egypt in a transitional period.

I use this in my class to teach my students in my Introduction to Middle Eastern and North African History. If they don't read it, they fail. If they read it and try to understand it, they will probably get a C. This is a great classroom tool for all teachers interested in Middle Eastern history. Use it.