Es geschah an der Mauer

by Rainer Hildebrandt

German, English, French, Italian, Spanish

Katalog zur Ausstellung der Arbeitsgemeinschaft 13. August 'Die Mauer, vom 13. August zur heutigen Grenze' im 'Haus am Checkpoint Charlie'.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, German Literature, War, Germany

113 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1973

Reviews

[BookLovingLady (deceased Jan. 25, 2023...) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had visited the Haus an Mauer only a few days before the Wall fell, in November 1989, as I was in Berlin that whole week. Even today, the photos in this book are still able to make me unpleasantly shiver and are causing a lump in my throat...

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

It Happened at the Wall by Rainer and Alexandra Hildebrandt is a powerful photo book about life in Berlin after the war, particularly focusing on the Berlin Wall, from its construction to its fall. The book features high-quality paper and large, detailed photographs, many of which are not just documents of events but can be appreciated as works of art.

What sets this book apart is that it doesn’t just collect the usual photos that circulate on the internet. Instead, it showcases lesser-known, curious finds that many might not be familiar with. Along with the photographs, there are also stories—brief but impactful—that convey the realities people faced on both sides of the Wall.

Rainer Hildebrandt’s impressive background also stands out. He was a man with an extensive list of achievements, and his life story adds another layer of meaning to the book. As a human rights activist, he played a significant role in documenting the human stories behind the Berlin Wall. He also founded the Checkpoint Charlie Museum, which played a crucial part in preserving this history.

What I appreciate most about the book is how it focuses on ordinary people who found extraordinary ways to deal with the Wall’s challenges. The authors capture stories of resilience, sacrifice, and invention, showing that even in difficult times, human creativity and hope know no limits.

Although the book was clearly designed as a photo volume, I personally would have preferred more detailed stories. The edition I read included text in three languages, and perhaps reducing this to one language would have allowed more room for additional information. Because of this, I gave it four stars instead of five.

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in post-war German or GDR history, stories of human resilience and hope, or who simply enjoys looking at old photographs.

[Rachel Wakeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Lots of photos with descriptions in 5 different languages.

[Inno van Lieshout · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fotoboek over 'De Muur' in Berlijn. De bouw, de ontsnappingen, de VOPO's, etc. De Muur viel in 1989.

[Hugo Simão · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great photographic exposition of the history of the wall. It doesn't substitute, however, a history of the wall and the 2 germanies as a whole.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quando vivevo a Berlino e c'era ancora il muro, il Checkpoint Charlie era uno dei punti di passaggio da est a ovest e viceversa. Probabilmente il più immortalato da ogni film sulla guerra fredda. Alla riunificazione è sopravvissuto il museo dedicato ai tentativi, riusciti e non, di fuggire dalla DDR. Alcuni sono rocamboleschi, altri ingenui, alcuni hanno avuto un lieto fine, molti una fine drammatica.
Un documento importante per non dimenticare una pagina di storia recente.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chilling. Picked this up in Berlin. Very chilling.