Revolution for Dummies

De: Bassem Youssef

Narrado por: Bassem Youssef

"The Jon Stewart of the Arabic World" - the creator of The Program, the most popular television show in Egypt's history - chronicles 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.

Bassem Youssef's 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 Mubarak's successor, Mohamed Morsi. Youssef not only captured his nation's 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 Youssef's 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 government's announcement that it had created the world's first "AIDS cure" machine, to the conviction of officials that Youssef was a CIA operative - recruited by Jon Stewart - to bring down the country through sarcasm. There's much more - and it's 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, Youssef's 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.

©2017 Bassem Youssef (P)2017 HarperCollins Publishers

The Jon Stewart of the Middle East

Bassem Youssef earned the nickname “The Jon Stewart of the Middle East” with his popular satirical news show in Egypt. Political pressure ultimately forced him to flee his country during the Arab Spring, and here he finally tells the whole story with dry, weary humor. The part that blows my mind the MOST is that this man was a freaking HEART SURGEON before the revolution, and he fell into becoming a hugely successful TV news host basically on a whim. Once he got a taste, there was no turning back. Talk about stumbling into your life's calling.

Youssef's trademark seems to be that he jokes about whatever he wants, totally irregardless of pressure from Egypt's leaders, his bosses, or popular opinion. He sticks to his guns, opinions be damned. It's what made him so successful but was also ultimately his downfall. There are so many moments in his story where you're like "Bassemmmmmm, don't do it." But then he does it, and you're just left in awe of his single-minded commitment to forbidding anyone from interfering with his content.

I also have a soft spot for stories with close male friendships, and Youssef's real-life friendship with Jon Stewart is very touching. Youssef was a fan first, and you can tell he's still totally starstruck by Stewart, but Stewart became his mentor and ultimately his friend. There's a moment when Youssef flies to Jordan to meet Stewart in a moment of crisis, as Stewart is one of the few people in the world who can possibly understand and counsel him on the more delicate aspects of being a satirical news host. I loved those parts of this book.

Youssef's voice is totally charming on the audio, and his international perspective is also fascinating, hitting closer to home than you’d expect. His memoir brings the events and fallout of the Arab Spring to life in an accessible way, with a satirist's flair. This was a great listen.

Loved it from a person whol lived it all

100% true and well presented. I'm Egyptian who lived all this events from different angles for sure but with same position and point of view..thanks for the Clown who represents me

Impressive narrative

Impressive narrative if why & how Bassem Youssef has to be estranged from his beloved country Egypt!!

Loved it

Entertaining and insightful

Basseem Youssef takes you on an entertaining and insightful journey into Egyptian politics. along the way he provides an example of how dictatorship establishes itself and the steps that dictators take to stay in control. his own narration makes the experience even better

True, accurate, sad and funny!

The sad realty from the person who brought laughter to millions of people. I can relate having lived through the major part of the events! Thank you Bassem Youssef!

Brutal Honesty with Just Enough Humor

Bassem Youssef tells an important story with a scary truth. This is a must read for anyone who is registered to vote...seriously! Unfortunately, as he points out, most will not be swayed from their blind loyalty to terrible leaders like Trump or any of the dipshit dictators in the Middle East and elsewhere. Nonetheless, its a history book with a brilliant and funny author that will entertain as well as enlighten the reader/listener. Congratulations on your work Dr. Youssef!!!

hilarious and sobering

A fantastic book, I love that the author read it. Both lol funny and scary in its similarity to the current US political climate. A cautionary, but fun take.

Wow

Listening to Bassem Youssef was an enlightening experience.

The man is funny. His voice is just fine.

The Egyptian Jon Stewart

This book was hilarious and informative beyond belief. I wasn't very familiar with the Egyptian Revolution, so I learned a lot. Basically a great book to laugh to keep from crying.

THE MIDDLE EAST IS NOT ONE BIG COUNTRY!

I got the book after seeing Youssef on the old Daily Show with Jon Stewart. He is very bright and funny and found himself in the middle of a series of regime changes in Egypt. Read it if, for no other reason, you will at last, know the difference between Islam, Muslims. Islamists and the Muslim Brotherhood which will make you the smartest kid around the cheese dip at holiday cocktail parties.