5.0 out of 5 stars brilliant and readable account

J.H. · 9 December 2024

The author of this brilliant account was born in the former East Germany (GDR) in 1985, and is now a naturalised British citizen and writer in German history. As such, being born in the country and thereby having the family cultural background, but not having been old enough to form substantive memories and views, she is perhaps particularly well placed to cover this topic with sensitivity but without a massive axe to grind. Apparently, when the book was translated into German (yes she wrote the book in English despite her origin), the book was not as well received in her country of birth, with some reviewers claiming she was too pro-GDR. The reader can make up their own mind. She covers the whole history, not only political, and biographical with the roles of Wilhelm Pieck, Walter Ulbricht, Erich Honecker and Erich Mielke, but also economic, social and cultural. The narrative is also studded with personal recollections from ordinary GDR citizens from a wide variety of backgrounds, adding colour and depth to the main narrative. She certainly does not shrink from coverage of the lack of democracy, transparency and opportunities for political participation and travel, nor the repellent surveillance culture of the notorious Stasi. But at the same time, she acknowledges that East German society had some strengths, such as social mobility and educational opportunities for the working class, and opportunities for women through the provision of childcare, which exceeded that in West Germany at the time. For some East Germans, those maybe not motivated by politics or a desire for travel, but looking for economic security and provision for their families, the "package" no doubt seemed very attractive.Of course the contradictions rose to a head in the mid to late 80s, and the final collapse of the GDR regime, along those in most of the rest of Eastern Europe, was stunningly quick and almost incredible, as I well remember observing the events as a young man just out of university. And the reunification of Germany was almost as quick - and many people would say in hindsight, probably too quick, given the failure to properly integrate East Germans into the new polity, which has resulted in economic and social inequality between the two uneven "halves" even to this day. A great and very readable account.

5.0 out of 5 stars Probably one of the best books about the former DDR!

M. · 1 December 2023

The author was a native of the now defunct GDR and her first-hand description of life there makes a refreshing change from most of the other books about the country which are often written by people from abroad and see things there from a biased viewpoint which has tended to become stereo-typed and does not accurately describe the reality of life for many of the ordinary people who lived away from Berlin and the border with West Germany. By quoting various persons experiences as examples, she offers a fascinating insight into many aspects of the country which were not widely known to outsiders. I had personal experience of the place in the early 1970's when I was still at quite a young age in my late teens so this book was particularly interesting for me to read and well worth the effort, despite some of its grammatical errors and sometimes confusing format which others have referred to. The downfall of the regime was largely due to its paranoia and oppression, as much as economic woes and refusal to change with the times to satisfy the needs of its population,who finally simply turned their backs on it!Although many of them openly said that without the wall and the Stasi they believed their state was worth saving,it is still questionable whether it could have survived with all the political and economic upheaval taking place in Europe at that time?On a more personal note,I can still remember the sulphurous odor of burning lignite coal which prevailed there in many places, the often decrepid buildings and roads in many cities and towns as well as villages which looked depressingly brown and grey and untouched since World War Two, but perhaps most of all the familiar DDR 'smell' which was prevalent at border crossings, on Interflug planes and many other public buildings-it was not unpleasant but very distinctive and reminded me some kind of disinfectant chemical or printing ink etc?I was never sure exactly where it came from-when I visited Berlin briefly in 2008 for the first time since re-unification and went to the now Stasi museum at Hohenschoenhausen prison,I was assailed by it once again upstairs in the administration building where it still prevails among the green bakelite phones and furniture etc!Another visitor also immediately remarked on it' diese geruch-das war der DDR!It brought back many memories of my previous times in the country-the guide said he thought it was the linoleum on the floor,while other people said it was from the paint on the walls?Maybe Katya can solve this mystery for me as I am sure she will remember it!Anyway, I thank her for her gallant efforts in writiung this book and hope it sells well!I would be pleased to correspond with her if she has the time.

4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating Overview of Life in the Other Germany

S. · 3 September 2023

This book is a historical account of the creation of East Germany and of the many phases it went through before its collapse in 1989. The author brings out many useful insights.What I would have liked to have heard more about is the daily life of East Germans, rather than a mainly political narrative. Of course there was some reference to the lives of ordinary people, but perhaps the emphasis should have been the other way round, given that the politics of the country at the time is fairly well understood in the West, unlike the everyday struggles and triumphs of its citizens. However, on balance a useful read

Excellent, well written and documented publication;

W.G.H. · 21 February 2024

Research and a history of Germany after unification.

Excellent insight into a different way of living

D.T. · 31 October 2024

An engagingly written opportunity to learn from an alternative to western capitalism. I was brought up on Cold War mythology and anywhere beyond the wall somehow appeared in my imagination in black and white. This book will make any westerner think twice about the supposed superiority of capitalism and reflect on the differences between ‘freedom to’ and ‘freedom from’. This is not to ignore the paranoia that led to abominations such as the Stasi as this too offers a point of reflection. Totally eye opening.

dustcover

R.F. · 20 March 2025

It was only missing its dustcover.

DDR in depth

A.C. · 14 November 2025

An exhaustive and very interesting text about the whole history of the DDR

So interesting!!

M.W. · 30 June 2024

This is a well written Book and really interesting to hear the Truth about DDR and not just what Western media has tried us to believe it was