Bassma Kodmani (1959-2023) was a leading figure of the exiled Syrian opposition who devoted much of her career to the democratisation of the Arab world. A prominent expert in Middle Eastern affairs, she held a doctorate in political science from Sciences Po, France and was the founding executive director of the Paris-based Arab Reform Initiative. In 2011 she co-founded the Syrian National Council, the first coalition of opponents to President Bashar al-Assad's regime. She served as head of foreign relations and spokesperson for the body and was a leading member of the opposition High Negotiations Committee, participating in United Nations-hosted meetings in Geneva from 2016.

• Timeline of Key Events List of Names Main Syrian Opposition Groups List of ContributorsEditors’ Notes to Text Tribute by Ghassan Salamé Preface by Bassma Kodmani Foreword by Hala KodmaniAcknowledgements List of Abbreviations and AcronymsMap of Syria Chapter One: Early Life Growing Up Becoming a Revolutionary Chapter Two: Into the Struggle The Creation of the Syrian National Council (SNC) Experiences in the SNC 2011-2012 Chapter Three: Connecting with the Ground in Syria Emergence of Local Councils with Omar AzizDr. Wehbe in DoumaDevastating LossesOn the Other Side of the SunEducation as a Battlefield—Abu Adnan FleitaniThe Kofi Annan UN Mission in SyriaChapter Four: Diplomatic Failure and Descent into War Brutally EjectedThe Islamist TakeoverThe Failure of Representation and False UnityThe Free Syrian Army : neither free nor an army Wrong AlliancesMy RegretsChapter Five: In the Shadows: Becoming a Freelance Diplomat Seeking Emirati SupportQatar Control over the New Syrian Opposition and Military CouncilDealing with Fighting Forces on the GroundNegotiating with the RussiansBack Channel Diplomacy with IranA Wild Card: The KurdsChapter Six: Negotiations The Geneva TalksSmoke and MirrorsLausanne Technical TalksFrom Geneva to SochiChapter Seven: Track II Diplomacy Russia Controls AllThe Muegel Military Plan My Efforts for Tripartite Meetings with SuperpowersThe Offensive against Aleppo and the Emergence of HTSHigh Negotiating Committee Blocks NegotiationChapter Eight: Transformation A Woman in Arab PoliticsMy Vision of TransitionConclusion Afterword

The book is a gripping account filled with revealing narratives about the early stages of the Syrian uprisings. It offers an in-depth exploration of the political aspects of the revolt, highlighting the divisions and complexities within the opposition. The vivid storytelling and first-hand insights provide a compelling look into the dynamics and struggles of this tumultuous period.