In this engaging and immensely readable text, Alexander and Bassiouny confirm their position as two of the most astute observers of Egypt's labour movements. Firmly grounded in recent debates around neoliberalism, capitalism and the Egyptian state - and drawing upon a wealth of fascinating first-hand accounts - this book provides many critical insights into Egyptian workers and their ongoing struggles. It deserves to be very widely read.

Adam Hanieh, SOAS, University of London

Here at last is a book on Egypt that acknowledges and traces the pivotal role of the workers in the sequence of events that led to the gigantic uprising of January-February 2011, and the subsequent unfolding of the revolutionary process. In a field dominated by studies focusing exclusively on political movements and state apparatus, this is a most welcome and important contribution

Professor Gilbert Achcar, SOAS, University of London, and author of The People Want: A Radical Exploration of the Arab Uprising

This is an intriguing and detailed account of why the role of the working class needs to be put centre stage in understanding the toppling of Hosni Mubarak. The authors provide insight and analytical rigour in documenting and accounting for the growth and dynamism of independent trade unions in "revolutionary" Egypt. A must read for those who want to know how and why the working class is essential to understanding political and economic crisis in Egypt.

Professor Ray Bush, University of Leeds

One of the best accounts on the Egyptian revolution, its underlying causes and its aftermath. The book is an accessible and in-depth read for both specialists and non-specialists alike, not only deciphering the workings of one of the most important political events in recent years, but also providing a comprehensive analysis of structural changes in modern Egypt.

Rabab El Mahdi, The American University in Cairo