Revolution 2.0

The Power of the People Is Greater Than the People in Power - A Memoir

By: Wael Ghonim

Narrated by: Sean Runnette

The revolutions sweeping the Middle East in 2011 were unlike any the world had ever seen. Brutal regimes that had been in power for many decades were suddenly swarmed by unstoppable mobs of freedom seekers. Now, one of the key figures behind the Egyptian uprising tells the riveting inside story of what happened and presents lessons for all of us on how to unleash the power of crowds.

Wael Ghonim was a little-known 30-year-old Google executive in the fall of 2010 when he anonymously launched a Facebook page to protest the death of an Egyptian man at the hands of security forces. The page’s followers expanded quickly and moved from online protests to nonconfrontational public gatherings. Then, on January 14, 2011, they made history when they announced a revolution. Over 350,000 friends clamored to join. On January 25, as the revolution began in earnest, Ghonim was captured and held for 12 days of brutal interrogation - and when he emerged and gave a speech on national television, the protests grew even more intense. Four days later, Mubarak was gone.

The lessons Ghonim draws will inspire each of us: Forget the past. Don’t plan ahead. Let the crowd make its own decisions. Welcome to Revolution 2.0.

Wael Ghonim was born in Cairo and grew up in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, earning a degree from Cairo University in 2004 and an MBA from the American University in Cairo in 2007. He joined Google in 2008, rising to become head of marketing for Google Middle East and North Africa. He is currently on sabbatical from Google to launch a nongovernmental organization supporting education and technology in Egypt.

©2012 Wael Ghonim (P)2012 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Insight

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

It is an excellent book showing how the revolution was not planned and gave me insight why it did not succeed in achieving its goals, the way events folded shows how the youth in Egypt where full of hope and have noble ideas but lacking leadership and organization. It gave me peace knowing what really happened and understanding now more why it failed (I read it in 2015)

Any additional comments?

I recommend the book

An emotional trip inside Egypt’s fight for freedom

A passionate memoir of all the events transpiring in Egypt during a monumental time. As an Egyptian, I consider it to be a great tribute to all those who died defending their legitimate dreams. This book gave me hope listening to it in 2020, knowing Egypt will transcend everything holding it back.

Inspiring,motivate book

Even if you don't interested in Egypt or Egyptian revolution, the book is very inspiring in how hard work and struggle for the noble goals must success

Inspiring Real-time Modern History

Hard to put down... An honest, passionate accounting of the Egyptian Revolution -- but more important, a strong message to what we can do when organized & inspired by sincere desire to improve our circumstances. "The Power of the People is Greater than the People in Power" is a message with implications far broader than Egypt for much needed revolutions of all kinds! Go people!!