Into the Hands of the Soldiers

Freedom and Chaos in Egypt and the Middle East

By: David D. Kirkpatrick

Narrated by: David D. Kirkpatrick

ONE OF THE ECONOMIST'S BOOKS OF THE YEAR

David D. Kirkpatrick, a correspondent for The New York Times, was banned from Egypt for writing this book: the definitive account of the turn back toward authoritarianism in Cairo and across the Middle East.

Egypt has long set the paradigm for Arab autocracy. It is the keeper of the peace with Israel and the cornerstone of the American-backed regional order. So when Egyptians rose up to demand democracy in 2011, their thirty months of freedom convulsed the whole region.

Now a new strongman, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, is building a dictatorship so severe some call it totalitarian. The economy sputters, an insurgency simmers, Christians suffer, and the Israeli military has been forced to intervene. But some in Washington—including President Trump—applaud Sisi as a crucial ally.

Kirkpatrick lived with his family in Cairo through the revolution, the coup and the bloodshed that followed. Then he returned to Washington to uncover the American role in the tragedy. His heartbreaking story is essential to understanding the Middle East today.

Neutral and Objective Tale of Arab Spring

Detailed and documented telling of 1st hand experience in tumultuous times in contemporary Egypt and how the "Fee Modern" World witnessed the Rise and Fall of Arab Spring

gripping

Awesome story and perspective

I am usually not one to write reviews but this was such an excellent story. I love these great historical and in depth dives into a story but this was even better given that it was told from the perspective of a reporter that is covering it. It was a very nuanced and detailed approach to this largely complex story. Definitely recommend this book!

The story of a lost generation

too many thoughts to be written, mostly with a heavy heart. For sure needs a keyboard rather than a phone to give thoughts about this book.

great book exceeding expectations

Very nice to hear, full of facts, fairly unbiased, I enjoyed every minute of it.

An Account of record.

A great account of the events surrounding an important time in Egypt’s history. Emphasizes the importance of Investigative journalism and how in a country where truth and facts are hard to find this kind of journalism is very much needed.