Nasser’s Republic: The Making of Modern Egypt

An intriguing overview of Egypt’s political history in the modern age, Nasser’s Republic examines the transformative influence of Gamal Abdel Nasser (1918–1970) on the Arab world. Through his leadership of the 1952 revolution and rise to power as Egypt’s second president, Nasser challenged Western powers and championed Arab and African liberation. He fought against unemployment, poverty, and illiteracy, but ultimately fell short of offering Egyptians democracy. Michal Goldman presents the contradictions and questions that surround the legacy of this charismatic political figure, whose influence over the modern era, including the Arab Spring, remains at the heart of Egypt’s struggles.