In the nearly nineteen years since the destruction of the Wall that divided East from West Berlin, Germans have struggled with the challenges of reunification. The task has been daunting—unifying two countries with a common language but mutually hostile political and economic systems. Contrary to the optimistic predictions of 1989/1990, reunification has aggravated many of Germany’s problems within the larger context of globalization. Berlin, divided epicenter of the Cold War, Germany’s largest city and the capital since 1999, has been forced to confront the challenges of reunification with particular urgency. This book presents the work of six scholars who met at Bradley University’s annual Berlin seminar in June, 2006 to discuss the recent past and the future prospects of the German metropolis. Two broad concerns--society and historical memory--emerged during the seminar and are reflected in these scholars’ writings. The first section of the book assesses how Berliners have reunified the city through urban planning and social, economic and cultural policies. These chapters also speak to pressing contemporary issues of immigration, citizenship and cultural diversity. The essays in the book’s second part trace how historical memory has been shaped and politically contested in German culture, both in the divided nation and since 1989. Berlin Since the Wall’s End casts light on a metropolis that has been scarred, but not destroyed, by the upheavals of recent history.

A selection from The Magic Lantern, Timothy Garton Ash’s classic first-person history of the Revolution of ’89 and the end of the Cold War—an on-the-ground glimpse of the fall of the Berlin Wall. “In the beginning was the Wall itself.” So writes matchless chronicler and observer Timothy Garton Ash on the strange life and stranger death of the Wall that divided two worlds. Garton Ash takes the reader with him as he walks through the Wall and across no-man’s land in early November of 1989, where as recently as that February a man attempting to cross had been shot dead. But November 9 ushers in a new world. Garton Ash introduces us to the East Berliners lining up for the “greeting money” offered at banks; the newfound wanderers looking for the ferry to England; and the chaotic, intoxicating political atmosphere sweeping through the reunited city. This is a vivid and enduring picture of a defining moment in history, when a wall came tumbling down. An eBook short.

Drawing on a vast range of material – from the first films of Berlin in the 1890s, to the city's impact on contemporary digital art – WALLS OF BERLIN examines how Berlin's walls form apertures that mediate their preoccupations and manias, damage and scars, non-erasable inscriptions and outlandish markings, fractures and fissures, strata and outgrowths, veerings and oscillations across time, corporeal traces and residues, sexual obsessions, and revelatory urban vanishings. In a rich cultural history of the city's memories and its acts of oblivion, Stephen Barber probes many of its overlooked but most illuminating spaces and sites inflected by art and film – alongside the visual, textual and sonic presences that inhabit them.

A revelatory history of the commemoration of the Berlin Wall and its significance in defining contemporary German national identity.

Twenty years after its fall, the wall that divided Berlin and Germany presents a conceptual paradox: on one hand, Germans have sought to erase it completely; on the other, it haunts the imagination in complex and often surprising ways

The border between East and West Germany was closed on 26 May 1953. On 13 August 1961 crude fences and walls were erected around West Berlin: the Berlin Wall had been created. The Wall encircled West Berlin for a distance of 155km, and its barriers and surveillance systems evolved over the years into an advanced obstacle network. The Intra-German Border ran from the Baltic Sea to the Czechoslovak border for 1,381km, and was where NATO forces faced the Warsaw Pact for the 45 years of the Cold War. This book examines the international situation that led to the establishment of the Berlin Wall and the IGB, and discusses how these barrier systems were operated, and finally fell.

In 1984, Johnny East, a dancer, is invited to West Berlin by mad Alice, an English girl living a bohemian life in the city at the heart of the Cold War. Alice is besotted with Johnny but on a trip to the East one day, Johnny meets and falls in love with a Russian tightrope walker in East Berlin. They begin an affair that leaves a trail of East-West transits, both legal and illegal, including one of the most daring crossings of the Berlin Wall. Twenty years on Johnny is the director of an aerial company and with an exciting new performance returns to Berlin, a new vibrant city, to face the ghosts of the past, the present, and Alice. The Last Dance over the Berlin Wall is a story of young love, decadence and tragedy in the walled-in city of West Berlin.

How is it that walls, borders, boundaries—and their material and symbolic architectures of division and exclusion—engender their very opposite? This edited volume explores the crossings, permeations, and constructions of cultural and political borders between peoples and territories, examining how walls, borders, and boundaries signify both interdependence and contact within sites of conflict and separation. Topics addressed range from the geopolitics of Europe’s historical and contemporary city walls to conceptual reflections on the intersection of human rights and separating walls, the memory politics generated in historically disputed border areas, theatrical explorations of border crossings, and the mapping of boundaries within migrant communities.

Are you ready to immerse yourself in one of the most captivating and transformative periods of history? Step back in time and witness the rise and fall of the Berlin Wall, an iconic symbol of division and defiance. Introducing the "Berlin Wall: East vs West Germany" book bundle, a comprehensive collection that takes you on a journey through the intricate layers of this monumental structure. Book 1 - Echoes Of Division: Exploring The Human Stories Of The Berlin Wall Delve into the personal narratives, heart-wrenching separations, and the unwavering spirit of those impacted by the Berlin Wall. Through intimate accounts and compelling stories, experience the triumphs, tragedies, and enduring hope that emerged from a divided nation. Book 2 - Beyond Concrete Walls: The Economic Impact Of The Berlin Wall On East And West Germany Uncover the economic repercussions that echoed across East and West Germany. Dive deep into the stark disparities in living standards, employment opportunities, and economic development that emerged as a result of the Wall. Gain valuable insights into the lasting effects on both sides of the divide and the subsequent challenges faced during reunification. Book 3 - Unveiling The Hidden Secrets: Espionage And Intrigue Along The Berlin Wall Unlock the hidden world of espionage and the cloak-and-dagger operations that unfolded along the Berlin Wall. Unveil the gripping tales of spies, intelligence agencies, and covert operations, and discover how the Wall became a battleground for secrets, power, and international intrigue. Book 4 - Art As Resistance: Graffiti And Political Expression On The Berlin Wall Witness the power of artistic expression and its defiance against the oppressive regime. Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of graffiti and political art that adorned the Berlin Wall. Experience the visual manifestations of protest, unity, and hope, as artists turned the Wall into a canvas of resilience and resistance. Individually, each book offers a unique perspective on the Berlin Wall, but together, they form an all-encompassing narrative that will transport you back in time. Unearth the stories of ordinary individuals caught in extraordinary circumstances, analyze the economic impact of a divided nation, delve into the hidden world of spies and espionage, and witness the transformative power of art in the face of oppression. Whether you are a history enthusiast, a lover of human stories, or someone seeking profound insights into the forces that shaped our world, this book bundle is a must-have addition to your collection. It offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore the complexities, triumphs, and lessons of the Berlin Wall. Don't miss your chance to own this captivating book bundle. Order the "Berlin Wall: East vs West Germany" collection today and embark on an unforgettable journey through history. Experience the echoes of division, the resounding impact on economies, the clandestine world of espionage, and the enduring power of art as resistance.