Nation ohne Haus: Deutschland 1945-1961

by Adolf M. Birke

A historical overview of Germany after WWII through the building of the Berlin Wall.

540 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1989

Reviews

[Greg · Rating 3 out of 5]

This comprehensive history of Germany between the end of WWII and the building of the Berlin Wall does an admirable job of describing how the nation was split between West and East and the steps that, relatively quickly, restored West Germany to a position of prominent sovereignty. The first half of the book covers the precarious period between 1945-1949 when the victorious four powers jockeyed for position to dominate Germany and rehabilitate its people through balancing acts to avoid a resurgence of the powers that led to the war. The second part focuses on the birth of two nation states: one which is integral to the creation of a western alliance to contain the Soviet threat and another which is more of a vassal state governed by the uncertainties of Soviet leadership.

The only weakness is the virtual exclusion of the social and political forces that put many of the bureaucrats of the Nazi era back into positions of power and responsibility. Although the author does describe how these instances were largely a response to the realities of the Cold War, I believe more could have been added. But, as with any comprehensive history, it takes as much skill to know what to leave out as what to include.

Highly recommended for serious students of German history, not really something for those with a casual interest.