After the Wall: Germany, the Germans and the Burdens of HistoryThe reunited Germany that emerged from the euphoria of 1989 - that miraculous moment when the Wall fell and all the world cheered - is neither a power to be feared nor a rich, stable democracy to be admired. Far from freeing the Germans from the burdens of history, the fall of the Wall has exacerbated the traumas of the past, leaving Germany divided - against itself, east from west: against the "other", its own six million foreign residents as well as hundreds of thousands of new immigrants who arrive each year; and most of all, against the continuing legacy of the Nazi and communist eras. The readmission of sixteen million East German residents has uncovered old wounds and lifted half a century of taboos. Blending essay and reportage and drawing on countless interviews with people from all sides, Marc Fisher tells stories that reveal a seething and chaotic nation handicapped by its past and struggling to define its role at home and abroad. These personal stories touch on the lingering fear of a mighty Germany, memories of the Holocaust, Germany's economic role as the engine of Europe, and its diplomatic role as the strongest nation at the border of the troubled former Soviet Bloc. |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
accept Adolf Hitler Althans American Anton asked became began believed Berlin Bonn border building called camp child communist country's East German eastern economic face father finally forced foreigners friends Gabriele Germany's Gypsies hand Hitler Holocaust Hotzes hundred idea identity Jewish Jews knew Kohl Kohl's later leader live look months mother moved Nazi never night offered once Ossis parents party past percent police political politicians postwar problem questions remained reporters Ritter rules seemed social society Soviet stay story street talk tell things told took town train tried Turks turned unification United Wall watched weeks western woman young youth Zeidler