Review (Guest): Revolution 2.0 The Power of the People Is Greater Than the People in Power A Memoir

Wael Ghonim has become an iconic figure of the Egyptian revolution since he anonymously started the Facebook Page, “We are All Khalid Said,” criticizing police brutality in Egypt after young activist Khalid Said was beaten to death in broad daylight by the police in Alexandria for posting a video on police corruption on the internet. In the first few days of the revolution, Ghonim was kidnapped by plainclothes policeman but released later. He appeared on a talk show at a time when the protests were reaching a dead end. Instead of delivering a fiery speech full of revolutionary fervor as expected, he wept and apologized publicly to the parents of protesters who were killed during the protests, saying “don't blame us, blame those who are power hungry.” His tearful words ignited the protests again.

This book is more than a personal account of Wael Ghoneim's role in the revolution. It is a reflection of his generation's unexpected involvement in their country's political fate. Long viewed as spoiled Westernized brats, liberal middle class Egyptian youths proved to be much more than affluent fast car driving beach kids with an identity crisis. Revolution 2.O delves deep into the mindset of a generation that surprised even itself. While the world expected, and almost wished, any upheaval in the Middle East to come from the radical right wing, the roaring voices of pro-democracy and liberal human rights activists drowned the stereotyping of the Middle East. It is sad how world politics, working with Arab regimes and military, are trying desperately to push the right wing to the foreground of the new Middle East at the expense of the young activists who initiated the rebellion no one dared even talk about. It is important to read Revolution 2.0 not only with the events of the revolution as the backdrop of the narrative and analysis but with the book itself as a testimony and an account of the true origins of the Egyptian revolution.

It is a must read. This account will become even more important as such true origins are overshadowed by world governments' deals with the right wing and the military in the Middle East to hijack the revolutions sparked by pro-democracy and liberal activists.