The so-called Arab Spring came as a surprise to many academics and policy makers. Scholars have tried to understand the nature of the protests and the motives behind the uprisings. Likewise, the Egyptian revolution is now among the most studied cases. Hazem Kandil’s ambitious project is only one of them, but it is unique with its institutional historical approach. In Soldiers, Spies and Statesmen: Egypt’s Road to Revolt, Kandil simply/mainly traces the political power struggle of actors/ institutions within the Egyptian authoritarian regime structure during the last 60 years.