Going Behind the Sun

I could not put Going Behind the Sun down. It is more than a memoir of the Egyptian revolution. It is a personal, intimate, honest, and deeply human account of what it means to organize, resist, sacrifice, and remain committed to nonviolence when hope gives way to repression. Ahmed Maher does not simply celebrate the courage that brought millions into the streets. He courageously examines the divisions, miscalculations, and difficult choices that allowed authoritarianism to return. Written by someone who did not observe history from a distance, but helped shape it and paid a profound personal price, this book is a powerful reminder that removing a dictator is only the beginning, and that the deeper work of building democracy, civil society, and a culture of nonviolence is as difficult a process as the revolution itself.”

Revolutions are like paragliding: taking off requires courage, but surviving the changing winds requires learning, adaptation, and an unwavering sense of direction. Ahmed Maher gives us the rare story of both—the exhilaration of challenging the impossible and the difficult lessons of what comes after.”

Maher skillfully chronicles a lifetime of courage, resolve, and sacrifice that helped change Egypt, the broader Middle East, and the world in unprecedented ways. The story of the organization he formed, April 6th, and the rise and demise of Egypt’s failed uprising are woven into every detail of this biography. Surprisingly, the story remains profoundly human in every aspect, as Maher brings his family and friends around the world into his journey. What remains throughout is the unrelenting and inspiring spirit of steady growth, cross-border solidarity, and long-term resilience of one of Egypt’s leading organizers—and the hopes and dreams of a global movement for freedom over the past generation.”

Those distraught by democratic backsliding globally will take heart from this book. Ahmed Maher gives voice to a generation of youth who set Egypt and the rest of the Arab world on fire a decade and a half ago. Their story of courage and commitment gives proof positive that the quest for democratic freedoms and social and economic justice, while deferred, continues to smolder.”

Ahmed Maher did not merely witness history—he helped to make it. His courage helped change Egypt forever, by awakening a generation, challenging a dictatorship, and reminding the world that ordinary citizens possess the power to change history. His book is a profoundly moving memoir of his personal journey, and an inspiration to us all to continue to resist.”