Book Review: Inside Egypt | Bikya Masr
“Inside Egypt: The land of the Pharaoh’s on the brink of revolution” was allegedly banned in Egypt over its controversial content, in which author John Bradley attempts to argue that the North African nation is heading toward a future fraught with strife. But, some in the country argue this was a ploy by the publishers to get more readers. And beyond the alleged “ploy” the book lacks real substance that pushes the conversation of Egypt forward. The reality is not as simple as the author attempts to show.
“Inside Egypt” is a look at the inner workings of Egyptian society. Bradley argues that Egypt is ripe for revolution to overthrow the government of President Hosni Mubarak. Throughout the volume, Bradley draws on his experience in Egypt and especially upon those secular activists and artists who loiter in Cairo’s Wust el Balad, or downtown, district. But, it often becomes obvious the man spent little time in the country and used the time to speak with only a handful of individuals that are barely connected to the real Egypt he attempts to describe.
