Book description
SPECIAL PRICE
Revolution 2. 0 is the story of Wael Ghonim's extraordinary
contribution to the Egyptian Revolution.
On the 25th of January 2011, a call for people to protest against the
Egyptian government appeared on Facebook.
'We are all Khaled Said' was set up by one of the Arab world's leading
internet gurus - Wael Ghonim. He wanted it to be a focal point for
ordinary Egyptians to express their anger at the killing of a young
student, and transform the feeling of injustice into a peaceful protest
that brought people out onto the streets of Cairo.
But two days later, as the number of people in the streets grew, Wael
disappeared. After 11 days in captivity, when he was finally released by
Egyptian state security amid cheers and applause, he went straight on to
Egyptian television to try and mobilise the people, and stood up in
Tahrir Square to tell thousands of Egyptians 'this is not the time for
individuals, parties or movements. It's time for all of us to say one
thing: Egypt above all.'
A visionary with a passion for computers, Wael had created one of the
Arab world's leading websites whilst still at university. Through the
internet, he had met his wife, and networked with hundreds of young men
and women from around the world. But in January 2011, Wael's knowledge
of technology, and his understanding of the attitudes of young people
and the way they use the internet enabled him to make a lasting
contribution to the future of Egypt.
In Revolution 2. 0 Wael gives his unique insight into Egypt's history -
how it shaped his life, and thousands like him. It introduces the
problems and injustice of Egyptian politics before the revolution, and
tells the full story of Wael's journey - from We are all Khaled Said to
Wael's imprisonment by State Security, and the last triumphant days of
the revolution.
Hailed as a hero, but modestly rejecting the label, Wael's
determination to change the course of Egyptian history is a truly
remarkable story - and testament to the ability of one man to bring
people together for the cause of justice, and ultimately, freedom.
Wael Ghonim was born in Cairo and grew up in Egypt and Saudi Arabia,
earning a degree in computer engineering 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 non-governmental organisation supporting education and
technology in Egpyt.
