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Revolution for Dummies
Revolution for Dummies: Laughing through the Arab Spring | Bassem Youssef
Hilarious and Heartbreaking. Comedy shouldnt take courage, but it made an exception for Bassem. --Jon Stewart "The Jon Stewart of the Arabic World"the creator of The Program, the most popular television show in Egypts historychronicles his transformation from heart surgeon to political satirist, and offers crucial insight into the Arab Spring, the Egyptian Revolution, and the turmoil roiling the modern Middle East, all of which inspired the documentary about his life, Tickling Giants. Bassem Youssefs incendiary satirical news program, Al-Bernameg (The Program), chronicled the events of the 2011 Egyptian Revolution, the fall of President Hosni Mubarak, and the rise of Mubaraks successor, Mohamed Morsi. Youssef not only captured his nations dissent but stamped it with his own brand of humorous political criticism, in which the Egyptian government became the prime laughing stock. So potent were Youssefs skits, jokes, and commentary, the authoritarian government accused him of insulting the Egyptian presidency and Islam. After a six-hour long police interrogation, Youssef was released. While his case was eventually dismissed, his television show was terminated, and Youssef, fearful for his safety, fled his homeland. In Revolution for Dummies, Youssef recounts his life and offers hysterical riffs on the hypocrisy, instability, and corruption that has long animated Egyptian politics. From the attempted cover-up of the violent clashes in Tahrir Square to the governments announcement that it had created the worlds first "AIDS cure" machine, to the conviction of officials that Youssef was a CIA operativerecruited by Jon Stewartto bring down the country through sarcasm. Theres much moreand its all insanely true. Interweaving the dramatic and inspiring stories of the development of his popular television show and his rise as the most contentious funny-man in Egypt, Youssefs humorous, fast-paced takes on dictatorship, revolution, and the unforeseeable destiny of democracy in the Modern Middle East offers much needed hope and more than a few healing laughs. A documentary about his life, Tickling Giants, debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2016, and is now scheduled for major release.
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JulieAly
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I cannot remember the last time a book made me laugh out loud as much as this one. A good read for Egyptians and non-Egyptians to get a better understanding of the Egyptian revolutions. I enjoyed that Bassem didn‘t put his political views in the book and remained unbias. I recommend.

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ChaoticMissAdventures
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Wow. This should be a must read. The connections Youssef makes between Egyptian authoritarian rulers and the current American climate is startling.

Well written, ironically funny, and eye opening. His personal story inside of the general revolution story is interesting - heart surgeon turned TV satirist turned exile.

If you listen to the audio Youssef read it himself.

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LibraryCin
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This was very good. I learned at lot, and of course, it has a nice dose of humour to go along with it. There are some parallels with our Western/North American society, as well, some of which he mentions specifically, and some that just popped into my head. He did eventually come to the US, so he can see what‘s happening there now (or at the time of writing). This was published in 2017, so still fairly recent.

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knzii

We grew up thinking that our country is invincible and that no invader would succeed in overcoming it. But as we grew older and looked back to our history we realized that our country was indeed just a graveyard for all invaders who stayed long enough to die there and hand it over to yet another invader.

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knzii
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An entire revolution had erupted because one kid was tortured to death in a police station. One death. Now death had become very easy to swallow. What was a couple more? When the military turned people into discarded commodities, there was no telling how high the death toll could climb.

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Jen2
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So good and funny

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gonzalezanae2
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Nothing could bring two right-wing groups together quite like the common belief that no person should ever experience freedom of thought.

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gonzalezanae2
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We are too afraid of some ephemeral God to vote in our own self interest

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Robothugs
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Just started this #audiobook while doing some weaving. I most recently saw him on Samantha Bee's show and decided I needed to read it. I want to see Tickling Giants! Anyway, I'm loving it so far! Bassem Youseff, the "Egyptian Jon Stewart."

JoRead Oooo, sounds interesting 😊 7y
minkyb Weaving! Just keep those talents coming. 😘 7y
Robothugs Aww ☺️ it's been fun to learn! @minkyb 7y
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Jas16
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Bassem Youssef and I share the same #celebritylove of Jon Stewart. Granted he is referred to as the Jon Stewart of Egypt, was a guest on the Daily Show, and had Jon on his show while still in Egypt and I just really like Jon Stewart. This was a great audiobook. I learned a lot about the Arab Spring. I very much recommend it. #sizzlinsummerbooks

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lauralovesbooks1
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Absolutely excellent audio book. I learned so much about the Arab Spring in Egypt, saw some frightening and distressing similarities between the US and Egypt, and still managed to laugh out loud throughout the entire book. Youssef has been compared to Jon Stewart -- and his tone and political satire is very similar to what you might see on The Daily Show. Highly recommend.

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Sue
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So this. Was amazing (and excellent on audio). What an amazing and brave guy. I twitter stalked him last night and he has a documentary called Tickling Giants out at the moment which is available on iTunes.

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Sue
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In the Middle East, assholes come for free. (Wondering why the US spent so much money to then be saddled with Trump for 4 years.)

I'm not far into this book, but it's an awesome combination of truth bombs and one liners.

Riveted_Reader_Melissa I have to pick this one up, he's so interesting! 7y
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Dvmheather
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This was a great audiobook. Bassem Youssef was a surgeon who became a political satirist in Egypt. That went well until he had to flee the country. http://www.spiritblog.net/revolution-for-dummies

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ramyasbookshelf
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#booklust Again, spotted on Instagram. Can't stop drooling.

Riveted_Reader_Melissa That's bound to be good. He's a pretty good comedian, I saw him many times on The Daily Show, and even more after he had to move to the US after his version of The Daily Show in Egypt was forcefully cancelled and he was threatened. 7y
BooksForEmpathy @Riveted_Reader_Melissa Yes! He was just on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah on March 20th. I wanted to get the book after I heard him speak. Check out his interview there! 7y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @BooksForEmpathy I will! He was just on Samantha Bee's show Full Frontal too last week. (edited) 7y
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ramyasbookshelf @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @BooksForEmpathy I've never seen him on any show! Going to look him up now! 7y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @ramyasbookshelf He used to host his own version of a The Daily Show type show on Egyptian TV, but after the change in leadership there through the multiple protests (Arab Spring & late military takeover) he actually had to move to the US, essentially the satire we take for granted was becoming to life threatening to him to stay in Egypt an longer. Jon Stewart had him on a few times, and both Trevor Noah and Samantha Bee have both had him on. 7y
ramyasbookshelf @Riveted_Reader_Melissa thanks for that info! Now I definitely definitely want to read his book! We definitely do take our freedom to express ourselves for granted here. 7y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @ramyasbookshelf He's good, but it's all comedy satire... so enjoy. I believe he continues on with a YouTube channel program now. I'll have to keep my eyes open for this book too, he mentioned a different one he had coming out soon on the last show I saw him on, Tickling Giants, so I didn't even know this one was out. 7y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa Nevermind... I just looked it up Tickling Giants is a film coming out, not a book. Sorry for the confusion. 7y
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bookshopsc
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As far as celebrity tell-alls goes, this had way more history lessons than most, but was also much more hilarious (and terrifying). Youssef tells his perspective on Egypt‘s revolution(s)/coups/turbulence in the last six years, and if you are at all confused at how all of those words apply then you need to read this book. I promise it is funny, and painfully biting, as it always is with the best satire. - Jax

ruthemmielang He was on the Daily Show last night! I'll have to read this one 7y
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