Gareth Dale Boeken

An incisive new study of dissent and protest in the German Democratic Republic, focusing on the upheaval of 1989-1990. The author, an active participant both in the 'Citizens' Movement' and in the street protests of that year, draws upon a vast array of sources including interviews, documents from the archives of the old regime and the Citizens' Movement and his own diary entries, to explore the causes and processes of the East German revolution. The book is at once a lucid and vibrant narrative history and a pioneering contribution to research in this field.

Gareth Dale's new biography offers us a bracing reminder of a far richer world of socialist activity that once existed in much of the West. Nikil Saval, The Nation

Focusing on the economic history of the German Democratic Republic, the book examines its interactions with the global market and the pressures of Soviet-style autarky. It details how GDR policymakers sought to leverage Western imports and credits to stimulate growth, ultimately leading to increased debt and dependency. The analysis includes the complex relationships between East and West German industrialists in the 1980s, supported by a wealth of secondary sources and previously unpublished archival documents, illustrating the GDR's economic decline and limited choices.

Focusing on the East German Revolution of 1989, this book reveals overlooked events and phases through extensive research, including interviews with key figures and archival materials. It highlights significant occurrences such as the 'battle of Dresden station,' the 'December uprising,' and the January 1990 strike wave. The author, a former resident and active participant in the protests, infuses the narrative with personal insights and immediacy, providing a fresh perspective on this pivotal historical moment.