The Philosophy of the Revolution

2.6/5 ( ratings)

This volume is the result of a careful study by Economica Books of several available versions of Nasser's essay. The translation used is one published by Dar Al-Maaref in Egypt, and given by President Nasser in Cairo to the Editor. Although in spots this translation is stylistically awkward from the standpoint of English readers, its deficiencies do not distort Nasser's meaning. Another version would offer American readers a far smoother English style, but would necessarily lack something of the original - albeit naive - vigor of the more literal translation here printed. Accordingly, the text of the Dar Al-Maaref translation has been preserved excepting for the correction of certain errors in spelling or grammar. It has, however, been abridges by approximately 20 per cent. In this condensation, the omissions are either of repetitive or rambling passages, or of occasional passages on medieval Egyptian history. Nothing controversial has been omitted, nor any remarks bearing on Nasser's attitude toward Israel. The notes are by Richard H. Nolte of The Rockefeller Foundation, whose own annotated translation appeared as an Institute of Current World Affairs Newsletter and as an American Universities Field Staff Report early in 1954. The Introduction by Dr. Badeau is based on the Dar Al-Maaref translation and is prepared especially for Economica Books. We are most fortunate in having persuaded Dr. Badeau to write it on short notice just prior to his departure for Africa. As former president of the American University in Cairo, and now as president of the Near East Foundation, he has has a long and extensive knowledge of Egypt's conditions, on which he is an acknowledges authority. His penetrating introduction to The Philosophy reflects both this broad background and a refreshing absence of bias with regard to a man who is surely one of the most controversial and important persons in the world today.