CRITICAL BOOK REVIEW

Critical Book Review Two; Dairies of an Unfinished Revolution

Portland State University
Rachael Bennett

CRITICAL BOOK REVIEW

2
Bibliographic Information

Diaries of an Unfinished Revolution is a collection of narratives from

the 2011 Arab Spring. The book was edited by Layla Al-Zubaidi and Matthew
Cassel however each section has its own author. This edition of Diaries of an
Unfinished Revolution was published in 2013 in New York, New York by
Penguin Books and is priced at $17.00.
Introduction
Chastised as unnecessary and out of hand, the violence during the
2011 Arab Spring was instead a show of action; and according to Mahatma
Gandhi Action expresses priorities, ( Brainy). Taking to the street many
ordinary people risked more than their lives to restore their corrupt country.
The violence that resulted from this, both government and revolutionary
driven was appalling yet utterly necessary to the cause. Diaries of an
Unfinished Revolution a collection of short narratives from the 2011 Arab
Spring highlights the short term risks associated with a revolution while
bringing light to the long term benefits to a nation and its people. This is
because when speaking of revolutions, the emotions of an uprising translate
into social changes that have lasting long term benefits.
Summary
Within the book Diaries of an Unfinished Revolution; a collection of
short narratives edited by Layla Al-Zubaidi and Matthew Cassel we see the
effects of revolutionary actions unfold. From Tunisia to Damascus the authors
of these short narratives whether on the ground or on social media have a

CRITICAL BOOK REVIEW

hand in the 2011 Arab Spring. As each chapter unfolds we get a glimpse into
the revolutions and the true stories of revolutionaries. Unlike news articles or
broadcasts, these stories evoke feelings and convey messages that would
otherwise never reach a Western audience. Much is unknown about the 2011
Arab Spring and even more is left to the imagination about the general
populous feeling during the time. Diaries of an Unfinished Revolution opens
the door to understanding a broader picture during this time period and the
sentiments that follow it.
Authors Argument
Among the chapters in Diaries of an Unfinished Revolution, two emerge
as prime examples of how within a revolutionary setting, short term risks and
long term benefits play a key role in peoples decision making. Cairo, City
in Waiting (Egypt), the second chapter, by author Yasmine El Rashidi and
Wishful Thinking (Saudi Arabia), the seventh chapter, by Safa al Ahmad
may differ in their revolutions but not the outlook for their futures. Short
term these countries vary widely in their political movements, causes, and
outcomes while long term they could share the same fate. The Egyptian
revolution was a mere 18 days that finalized with the ousting of President
Hosni Mubarak. (Kirkpatrick, 2011). These days during the month of January
2011 were full of protests and violent clashes with police. Throughout these
days protesters filled the streets and infamous Tahrir Square, shouting and
holding signs demanding the fall of the regime. For 18 days violence of all
kinds was a common occurrence, but eventually Egypt won its freedom.

CRITICAL BOOK REVIEW

However this was short lived as the people of Egypt soon realized the power
struggle that ensues after a revolution. With democracy quickly put into
place Mohamed Morsi (Kirkpatrick, 2012) was elected, only to be ousted by
the very nation that seemed to have voted him into office. Short term risks
such as these appear to be detrimental to a nation in revolt, but ultimately
will be greatly beneficial. They give Egypt a platform for the nation it was
and create the ideals for the nation it will become. The Egyptian Revolution is
the model revolution all other Arab nations followed for this reason; they
have the ability to succeed.
However the Egyptian Revolution was vastly different from protests
seen in other nations, particularly those in Saudi Arabia. For decades the
people of Saudi Arabia were controlled by an oppressive regime, specifically
that of a monarchy. This changes the dynamic of the Saudi Arabian
Revolution for the anger and oppression is as deep rooted as the control. The
regimes unwillingness to relinquish power spurred the brutal actions taken
against the protesters and innocent people in Saudi Arabia. Violent clashes
with not just police but the army and terrorist groups as well, stopped any
protest before they began. This left the majority of Saudi Arabias people
questioning the fate of their country and the reality of their corrupt
government. Though it may appear as if Saudi Arabia could not ever succeed
at a revolution, long term there is hope. As with the Egyptian revolution
often the short term risks in Saudi Arabia cloud the positives associated with
the revolution, however short lived. For Saudi Arabia it was a matter of

CRITICAL BOOK REVIEW

timing and government control. Looking forward to the future, a country

under such political strife will have to reach further than others in order to
gain political stability. As with all countries that experienced political
uprisings in 2011 Arab Spring; it will take time and effort to overcome the
short term hardships that have been placed before them.

Authors Evidence
When speaking to the benefits of a revolution it is difficult for an
outsider to put everything into perspective. Especially when speaking of
revolutions such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia, that contain so many
dimensions a person could get lost. Yasmine El Rashidi and Safa al Ahmads
statements within their chapters generate perspectives that make these
benefits clear to any reader. Yasmine El Rashidi (2013) comments on the
days after revolution has ended by stating.
For every emotion, every thought, every idea, now, there was an
audience, and on the same street corners that were once host to
dejection, possibility was being born. I watched, in the days of the
Egyptian uprising and the months that followed, human emotion
finding an outlet, and in tandem discovering its source. (pg. 64)
Short term Egypt is seen as a model revolutionary country by surrounding
nations and its people. In many respects this is true, rights were won and a
democracy quickly established. However there are still cracks Egypt needs to
fill, and the country must do so fast if it does not want to come tumbling

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down again. But these cracks are what make the nation strong. The political
reform seen in Egypt over the years has been the result of the
demonstrations that took place in January of 2011. From then on the
Egyptian people saw a turning point in the power they held over the
government and how they could choose to use it. The remaining issues Egypt
faces will now be dealt with not by silent voices but revolutionary cries.
Much the same can be said for the people of Saudi Arabia. Safa al
Ahmad states Why are you letting the youth commit your mistakes? I
asked Abu Ali. They believe we failed. They dont want to learn from us.
They are not protesting against the government, but against the past as
well. (Ahmad, 178) For years the people in Saudi Arabia have quietly gone
about their live under the oppressive regime. During the Arab Spring of 2011
this changed for many of the Sudanees involved in the protests. For once
they could give a voice to their troubles and ideas about political reform. This
kind of social change is a tidal wave that cannot be stopped. Generations
after the uprising in 2011 will not try and replicate was done but achieve
what the protester of that year could not. This kind of permanent creation of
a mindset that comes from revolution is hard to see in the short term, but is
a common theme in the long term timeline of a revolution.
Writing Style Critique
Diaries of an Unfinished Revolution is a collection of primary source
short narratives. This view point engages the reader in a way an ordinary
novel is unable to. The passion behind each primary source reflects the

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feeling of the nation at the time, immersing the reader in otherwise the far
off rebellions. Following the revolution in chronological order, the reader is
able to experience each event as if it were happening now. This writing
technique shows how each revolution influenced the next and to what extent
this had on the general populous. Though each narrative in and of itself is
emotional and thought provoking the chapters on Egypt and Saudi Arabia
seem more directed towards the audience. Both written by women, they
have an interesting perspective on womens roles and family dynamics
during the revolution. This perspective shows another side to revolutionaries,
contrary to the typical image. Making for a narrative that more relatable and
genuine.
Conclusion
The revolutions of the 2011 Arab Spring sparked social movements
that will endure countless generations. The feelings of the protesters at this
time were captured in the pages of Diaries of an Unfinished Revolution
edited by Layla Al-Zubaidi and Matthew Cassel. Each of the eight short
narratives, from Tunisia to Damascus, illustrate the value of believing in the
long term. Of these eight short narratives two stand apart as key examples
of this ideal, Egypt and Saudi Arabi. Within either chapter there are
similarities and differences between the risks each nation faced in the short
term, but also the lasting effect the social changes can have in the long run.
As Authors Yasmine El Rashidi and Safa al Ahmad unfold their stories,
readers are able to catch glimpses of these social changes and their effects

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on society. However it may be impossible to understand the last social
changes that took place during the 2011 Arab Spring, for it is social change
that is inevitable and continuous.

CRITICAL BOOK REVIEW

References
Al Ahmad, S. (2013). Wishful Thinking. In Diaries of an Unfinished
Revolution (p. 157-178). New York: Penguin Books.
El Rashidi, Y. (2013). Cairo, City in Waiting. In Diaries of an Unfinished
Revolution (p. 48-65). New York: Penguin Books.
Kirkpatrick, D. (2011, February 11). Egypt Erupts in Jubilation as Mubarak
Steps Down. Retrieved December 8, 2014, from
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/12/world/middleeast/12egypt.h
tml?pagewanted=all&_r=0
Kirkpatrick, D. (2012, June 24). Named Egypts Winner, Islamist Makes
History. Retrieved December 9, 2014, from
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/25/world/middleeast/mohamed
-morsi-of-muslim-brotherhood-declared-as-egyptspresident.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
Mahatma Gandhi Quotes. (n.d.). Retrieved December 8, 2014, from
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/mahatma_gandhi.
html