A story like this was bound to be impactful, but in Egyptian journalist El-Rifae’s hands, it comes to life in a mesmerizing and unforgettable way. This book focuses on the story of a group of people who banded together during the 2011 Egyptian revolution. As women joined in the protests in Tahrir Square and elsewhere, some found themselves targeted by men who sexually assaulted and harassed them. Wanting to protect the rights and safety of women who participate in demonstrations, the group formed intervention teams that helped women escape abuse and access care after they were attacked. Members of these teams (including El-Rifae) faced considerable risks themselves; this book shares their stories and their reckoning with the trauma they experienced in 2011. El-Rifae weaves palpable emotion into every sentence, asking readers to embrace the complexity and humanity of this remarkable moment in Egypt. VERDICT Readers won’t soon forget El-Rifae’s captivating book; essential reading for feminists and historians.

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