This book review will appear in Political Studies Review, Vol. 12, No. 2, May 2014.
Michael Gehler
(2011) Three Germanies: West Germany, East Germany and The Berlin Republic. London:
Reaktion Books Ltd. 330pp, £16.95 (p/b), ISBN 9781861897787
No visitor to Berlin can understand the past
or future of the city without understanding its division into east and west or
efforts since 1990 to reunite it putting Berlin back as not only the German capital
but as one of the great capitals of Europe and the world. So too is it
impossible to understand modern Germany, its place in Europe and the world and
its future without reference to its previous division. Yet all too often the history
of Germany since 1945 is told as separate histories of East and West. With the
Cold War fading into history and Germany an increasingly ‘normal’ state this
approach is clearly outdated.
Michael Gehler’s history is therefore a
welcome change. His chronological history begins with the emergence of East and
West Germanies and the role they played in the division of Germany and Europe.
Through a comprehensive history he draws out their parallel development
highlighting commonalities as much as differences. Sections on the post-1990 Berlin
Republic draw the history together. There is little new, its unique contribution
being a joined up history. While the book provides some social, economic and
cultural history it is on the politics that it is strongest. Sadly the legacy
of the Germanies from before 1933 is given cursory mention. The book will be of
use to those interested in Cold War history and Germany’s place in post-1945 international
relations and European integration.
The writing, translation and editing of the
book do not make it an easy read. The text conveys no sense of tension, crises
pass by in a matter of fact way. Even the politics can be dry and difficult to
follow; I was sometimes left confused about various political events. Most
annoying of all is the delivery of the book’s wide-ranging detail. Too often details
of events, institutions and individuals come across as a clumsy muddle.
Worryingly I tired of noting small inaccuracies. Sometimes the balance can also
frustrate. For example, the Baader-Meinhof Gang receives nearly five
pages of discussion while a mere two pages are spent focusing on the Stasi despite
the latter daily terrorising far more Germans for far longer with a deeper
lasting psychological impact. Some prior knowledge of German
history would therefore be helpful. As a joined up history then it is bold and
welcome. Sadly the detail of the history is too often anything but joined up.
