Description: In colonial-era Egypt, a new social category of "modern men" emerged, the efendiyya, who represented the new middle class elite. This volume explores how they assumed a key political role in the anti-colonial movement and in the building of a modern state both before and after the revolution of 1952.
Review Quotes: "An outstanding accomplishment, original, illuminating, and thought provoking. The Age of the Efendiyya offers an entirely fresh reading on the rise, evolution, and formation of Egypt and the Middle East's modern middle class: the 'new man/woman.' Ryzova systematically and comprehensively explores the critical role of the Efendiyya in producing and propelling authentic, home-made modernity in society, culture, and politics. Exploiting impeccable archival, print, and visual sources, never before used, Ryzova is the first scholar to penetrate the mindset of the Efediyya, through its discourse, actions, and daily minutiae."--Professor Israel Gershoni, Tel Aviv University
"[E]ssential reading for scholars of modern Egypt and the Middle East."--Kenneth M. Cuno, American Historical Review"While so much of the recent social and cultural history of Egypt has aimed at rewriting the literature from below, this bold effort to reconceive Egyptian history from the middle advances the field enormously. This book is certainly essential reading for those who would seek to understand modern Egypt."--Paul Sedra, English Historical Review