Next week will mark the tenth anniversary of the protests that sparked a country-wide uprising in Syria, leading to a brutal crackdown and a civil war that would shatter the country into pieces. The Syrian conflict, from the early days of hope and revolution to the horrific violence and extremism that emerged later, has in many ways come to symbolise the Arab Spring for observers outside of the Middle East and North Africa.
Over the last couple of months, a plethora of articles have been published analysing the fallout of the Arab Spring. Some have focused on the initial wave of protests that erupted across the Middle East and North Africa in 2011, challenging autocratic regimes and giving hope to millions of young Arabs that they would have the power to shape their countries’ futures. Many have highlighted the unprecedented wave of unrest that subsequently destabilised the entire region, pondering what went wrong. Some have spoken of a so-called ‘Arab Winter’, referring to the counterrevolutions that dampened the hopes of democratic reform in the region and cemented the power of dictators and strongmen.
This reading list charts the various seasons of politics and society in the Middle East and North Africa over the last ten years. With a combination of fiction and non-fiction books (and an additional list dedicated to films and documentaries at the bottom), our Arab Spring reading list traverses the region, offering a lens into the revolutions and counterrevolutions that have dominated life in the Arab World over the last decade. Covering events from Tunisia to Yemen, the list includes biographical accounts, political analyses and historical fiction.
The last ten years have set events in motion that will continue to shape politics and society in the Middle East and North Africa for many years to come. So if you’re looking to improve your understanding of the region, these books and films make for essential reading and viewing.
NON-FICTION
The Return: Fathers, Sons and the Land In Between – Hisham Matar, Libya
Hisham Matar’s memoir, The Return, tells the story of the author’s return to his native Libya in 2012 in search of his father, who was abducted and incarcerated by Colonel Muammar Qaddafi while in exile in Cairo. As well as giving the reader an insight into life in Libya both during and after the Qaddafi regime, the book also provides a uniquely personal account of the impact of displacement and war on the human soul.
Revolution for Dummies – Bassem Youssef, Egypt
Revolution for Dummies is an autobiographical account of an Egyptian heart surgeon turned comedian who found fame through satire, becoming a YouTube sensation during the 2011 revolution. Through the extraordinary story of an ordinary man, the book charts the trajectory of the uprising in Egypt, showing how the initial hope of the protest movement quickly turned to chaos and repression.
The Crossing: My journey to the shattered heart of Syria – Samar Yazbek, Syria
Samar Yazbek is a Syrian Alawite who was forced into exile after the 2011 uprising for speaking out against the Assad regime. Determined to support those she had left behind, she secretly returned to Syria multiple times during the years since. The Crossing tells the story of what she found within the borders of her homeland as it was being torn apart by civil war.
Bahrain’s Uprising: Resistance and Repression in the Gulf – Ala’a Shehabi and Marc Owen Jones, Bahrain
This book, edited by Ala’a Shehabi – whose husband is imprisoned in Bahrain – and British academic Marc Owen Jones, tells one of the lesser known stories of the Arab Spring – that of the island nation of Bahrain. It offers an analysis of the political conditions that sparked the protests, how they unfolded on the ground, and the repression that continues to keep Bahraini opposition voices in the shadows.
The Monk of Mokha – Dave Eggers and Mokhtar Alkhanshali, Yemen
The Monk of Mokha tells the true story of Mokhtar Alkhanshali, a Yemeni-American who decided to resurrect Yemen’s ancient coffee trade at the height of the civil war. As well as recounting Mokhtar’s extraordinary experiences, it also gives an overview of the political and social dynamics of modern Yemen which led to the 2011 uprising and subsequent civil war.
In a Time of Monsters: Travels Through a Middle East in Revolt – Emma Sky
In a Time of Monsters tells the story of Emma Sky’s journey across the Middle East and North Africa during the 2011 uprisings. Sky, who had previously spent years working in Iraq as a political advisor to the US government, showcases her impressive understanding of the politics of the region, sharing insights into the historical and political factors that laid the groundwork for the revolutions alongside the human stories of the people she has met along the way.
FICTION
An Ardent Swarm – Yamen Manai, Tunisia
The Ardent Swarm tells the story of a Tunisian beekeeper who leaves his village to investigate the destruction of one of his hives, only to find his country in revolt. Through the story of one man, the book offers a recent history of events in Tunisia since 2011, highlighting the powerful forces wrestling to control the future of the country.
The Dictator’s Last Night – Yasmina Khadra, Libya
The Dictator’s Last Night places the reader inside the mind of Colonel Muammar Qaddafi, former ruler of Libya and ruthless dictator who was ousted by popular protests and the intervention of western powers in 2011. The book is a sombre imagining of the last night before Qaddafi’s death, as he reflects on his life and what has become of his country.
The City Always Wins – Omar Robert Hamilton, Egypt
The City Always Wins is the story of Maryam and Khalil, two young Egyptian activists whose lives are transformed by the revolution of 2011. The book captures the fervour and hope that infused the initial protests, along with the pain and heartbreak that came to follow as the elite fought back.
The Beekeeper of Aleppo – Christy Lefteri, Syria
The Beekeeper of Aleppo tells the story of Nuri, a beekeeper, and Afraa, his artist wife, whose simple lives are torn apart by the conflict in Syria, which forces them to flee their homes and their country. The story highlights the impact of war on the ordinary people who suffer the worst of its consequences, but is also a testament to the sheer strength of the human spirit.
FILM
The Square, Egypt
For Sama, Syria
The White Helmets, Syria
Bahrain: Shouting in the Dark
Did we miss anything?! If you have your own book and film recommendations relating to the Arab Spring, we’d love it if you’d leave a comment below and share them with us!