This book is a collective effort by several contributing authors to Middle East Report, whose original essays provided such rich material for this collection. The authors graciously supported this project from the outset and provided timely revised submissions in the midst of the momentous political change sweeping across the Arab world.
The advice and prompt assistance of our commissioning editor at Verso, Sebastian Budgen, and the managing editor, Mark Martin, made working with Verso a pleasure. Michelle Woodward, the photo editor for Middle East Report, found the wonderful pictures that open each section of the volume. Sasa Tang helped format the typescript with care. Amanda Ufheil-Somers, assistant editor of Middle East Report, took on extra duties so that Chris Toensing might work on this project.
Jeannie Sowers thanks the College of Liberal Arts, University of New Hampshire, for supporting research in Egypt during the summer of 2011. She is also grateful to her husband Ben Chandran and son Evan for their support and humor during this project.