Egypt on the Brink

Short, readable, clear, and passionately written. A good introduction to Egypt's story. -Boston Globe Tarek Osman, a Western-educated Egyptian banker and occasional columnist, brings the eye of an intelligent amateur to the story of this country's past half century. He writes with feeling, backed up by an impressively broad list of sources as well as sharp critical insight and astute judgement. -The Economist Osman writes with a focused and uncluttered style [which will] retain the interest of even the most general reader. -Joyce Tyldesley, Financial Times Strange, then, that despite continued fascination with ancient Egypt, so little aside from turgid academic tomes or breathless journalistic accounts has been published about the current condition of the most populous country in the turbulent Middle East, and among the most influential. Egypt on the Brink is a slim book, simply written and easy to understand, and it goes a long way to filling this void. . . . The author, Tarek Osman, a Western-educated Egyptian banker and occasional columnist, brings the eye of an intelligent amateur to the story of his country's past half-century. He writes with feeling, backed up by an impressively broad list of sources as well as sharp critical insight and astute judgment. -The Economist Osman paints a colourful and convincing picture of the decline of Mubarak's rule. . . . A compelling account of how the various combustile ingredients of revolution came together, awaiting the final spark. -Gerald Butt, Times Literary Supplement [A] well researched and closely argued book. -John R. Bradley, Literary Review Immensely readable. -Keith Richmond, Tribune Full marks to Tarek Osman and Yale University Press for the bull's eye title of Egypt on the Brink. -Boyd Tonkin, The Independent Osman, a native Egyptian, brings considerable insight to his country's problems and analyses the changes that have occurred...This book is an excellent guide to what ought to be the leading Arab state. -North and South This is an excellent modern history of Egypt, written by an Egyptian, which provides a useful background to recent events.....This is a book which does much to counter the somewhat simplistic and excitable journalistic coverage of the last few months, and a warning that after nearly 60 years of republican autocracy, and the longer period of colonial and semi-colonial autocracy that preceded Nasser, there is little history of democratic governance in Egypt and many challenges for the future. -Ducan Bowie, Chartist