📖 Overview
Gershoni's historical study examines Egypt's pivotal period between the 1919 revolution and the military coup of 1952. The book traces the development of Egyptian nationalism and the struggle for independence from British control during these transformative decades.
The narrative follows key political movements, social changes, and the rise of new ideologies in Egyptian society between the world wars. It covers the roles of both elite political actors and broader popular movements in shaping the nation's trajectory toward sovereignty.
The work analyzes the complex relationships between the monarchy, religious institutions, colonial authorities, and emergent nationalist groups during this period. The economic and cultural dimensions of Egyptian society receive substantial attention alongside the political narrative.
This history offers insights into the foundations of modern Egypt and the intersection of colonialism, nationalism, and modernization in the early twentieth century Middle East. The themes explored remain relevant to understanding contemporary Egyptian politics and society.
👀 Reviews
This appears to be an academic text with limited online reader reviews available. The few reviews found focus on the book's thorough research and detailed examination of Egyptian nationalism between WWI and the 1952 revolution.
What readers liked:
- Documentation of intellectual and cultural changes during this period
- Analysis of how liberal constitutionalism emerged in Egypt
- Coverage of urban middle class political developments
What readers disliked:
- Dense academic writing style
- Limited perspective on rural and working class experiences
- Minimal coverage of economic factors
Available Ratings:
Goodreads: 3.5/5 (4 ratings, 0 text reviews)
WorldCat: No ratings or reviews
Google Books: No ratings or reviews
Note: This book appears to be primarily used in academic settings rather than by general readers, which explains the limited number of public reviews available online.
📚 Similar books
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Inside Egypt: The Land of the Pharaohs on the Brink of a Revolution by John R. Bradley Documents the social and political conditions in Egypt from the monarchy through Mubarak's regime with connections to the 1919-1952 period.
Revolutionary Egypt: Connecting Domestic and International Struggles by Reem Abou-El-Fadl Links Egypt's 1919 revolution to broader anti-colonial movements and traces its influence through subsequent political transformations.
A Military History of Modern Egypt by Andrew McGregor Examines the evolution of Egypt's military from Muhammad Ali's reign through the 1952 revolution, including its role in politics and society.
A History of Modern Egypt by P.J. Vatikiotis Analyzes Egypt's political development from 1516 to 1970 with emphasis on nationalist movements and institutional changes.
Inside Egypt: The Land of the Pharaohs on the Brink of a Revolution by John R. Bradley Documents the social and political conditions in Egypt from the monarchy through Mubarak's regime with connections to the 1919-1952 period.
Revolutionary Egypt: Connecting Domestic and International Struggles by Reem Abou-El-Fadl Links Egypt's 1919 revolution to broader anti-colonial movements and traces its influence through subsequent political transformations.
🤔 Interesting facts
🔷 Author Israel Gershoni is a professor at Tel Aviv University and has dedicated over four decades to studying Egyptian intellectual history and nationalism.
🔷 The book examines how Egyptian intellectuals adapted Western liberal ideologies to create their own unique form of "Egyptian liberalism" during this pivotal period.
🔷 1919-1952 marked Egypt's "Liberal Age," when the country experienced unprecedented cultural and political experimentation despite still being under British influence.
🔷 The period covered by the book ends with the Free Officers' Revolution of 1952, which overthrew King Farouk and eventually brought Gamal Abdel Nasser to power.
🔷 During this era, Egypt saw the rise of influential newspapers and journals like Al-Ahram and Al-Hilal, which helped shape public opinion and national identity.