Beyond the Wall: A History of East Germany
by Katja Hoyer
Description
This sweeping history explores East Germany from its founding in 1949 through reunification in 1990, examining the state’s politics, economy, culture, and place within the Cold War. Alongside the machinery of the Socialist Unity Party and the influence of the Soviet Union, it brings everyday East Germans into focus—their ambitions, compromises, frustrations, and forms of resilience. Challenging simplified portrayals of the German Democratic Republic as merely a failed dictatorship, the book presents a nuanced account of a society shaped by both repression and genuine social transformation. Vivid, accessible, and richly contextualized, it offers a fresh perspective on a vanished country whose legacy continues to shape modern Germany.
Available Editions
paperback
Basic Books
Published Jan 1, 2023
496 pages
ISBN: 9781541602571
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Details
First Published
2023
Language
eng
Content Warnings
Content and trigger warnings for Beyond the Wall: A History of East Germany by Katja Hoyer.