The Writings on the Wall: Peace at the Berlin Wall

by Terry Tillman

Briefly describes the history of the Berlin Wall, shows its graffiti, and depicts the wall being torn down

Genres: History, Photography, Nonfiction

152 pages, Paperback

Published September 1, 1990

Reviews

[Lysergius]

This could have been a superb book if the author had a) been able to speak German, and b) spent more time in Berlin. As it is the photographs are decent, and I suppose the quotations he sprinkles throughout the book are meaningful but it has no sense of being about Berlin, Berliners, or the wall and the damage it did. His interest is solely in capturing the graffiti on the West side of the wall. He fails to point out that there was none on the East side, due to the presence of the "death zone" between the inner and outer walls.

As an introduction to der Mauer it would suit school children perhaps.

[carl theaker]

What a difference a Wall makes! I passed through CheckPoint
Charlie back when you had to to reach the other side.
West Berlin, boisterous, active, cars packed the KuDamm at 1AM.
Passing through the Graffiti west side to the east,
a difference of well, East & West.

A zone of dead buildings near the Wall, so you wouldn't use
those to jump over the wall or burrow under. You had to
exchange 25 Marks and you had to spend it, no taking any
money back, and nothing to spend it on! No picture taking
of 'official buildings.' Maybe 6 smoky Trabants buzzed
from one traffic light to the next.

This book is a collection of glossy photos mixed with
pithy quotes regarding freedom and walls, divided into
the phases, 'up against the wall', 'off the wall' etc.

Ironically John Lennon's 'Imagine' is quoted, which
is the Communist Manifesto put to music, just the
ideology that build the Wall.

And! the book came with your own authenticated hunk
of the Wall!

[Yuthea Sum]

I'm here for the famous quotes from famous public figures. <3

Here's one:
"We look forward to a time when the power of love will replace the love of power" W. E. Gladstone