Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Beyond the Wall is the first book, in either English or German, to tell the whole story of the extraordinary revolution that demolished the Berlin Wall, ended the Cold war, and tore apart the Soviet regime. Elizabeth Pond, former Moscow and European correspondent for the Christian Science Monitor, was an eyewitness to the dramatic events of 1989-92 and to the fifteen years of relations between Germany and Eastern Europe leading up to them. Pond weaves together in riveting prose the strands of events that are usually recounted separately. Rather than looking just at the East German revolt or the process of unification that created a new nation, she traces the interaction of these events and their diplomatic consequences for Europe. Pond shows the political, economic, and social forces at work--leading up to the unification, during the transition process, and in the aftermath. Looking at the European framework, she explains how significantly the European Community and its move toward integration both affected and were affected by German unification. The book contains a wealth of new information form hundreds of interviews with top German and American policymakers, East German Politburo members and average German citizens. It also incorporates up-to-date research on such topics as the Stasi secret police and the midlife crisis of the German left. Pond concludes with an assessment of the roles of the United States and a unified Germany in the new Europe. Calling for a continued partnership between the United States and Germany, who "have come through a common baptism of fire since the fall of the Berlin Wall," Pond casts an optimistic eye toward the future.

Reviews provided by Syndetics

Publishers Weekly Review

This is a comprehensive account of events leading to and including the unification of Germany in 1990 and its immediate aftermath, as well as an informed speculative look into the future of a German-led Europe. Pond, a former correspondent for the Christian Science Monitor , confirms that Washington supported unification early and reveals the crucial U.S. role in reversing British and French opposition. The most vexing problem the Germans are dealing with, according to Pond, is Ver gang en heits be walt i gung or ``mastering the past,'' which manifests itself in the dilemma over whether to punish or integrate those who collaborated with the East German regime of Erich Honecker. Though it is clear that Washington's assistance to the new Germany will be minimal, the author urges the U.S. to help the country to stabilize Poland, the Czech and Slovak republics and Hungary and to take the lead in knitting them into Europe proper. In our shrinking world, she concludes, policy differences with allies such as Germany have become ``virtually domestic debates.'' This is the best analysis to date of the unification of the two Germanys. (June) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

CHOICE Review

Pond witnessed many of the revolutionary changes in East Europe firsthand as Moscow and European correspondent for the Christian Science Monitor. She has supplemented her personal observations of the dramatic events of 1989-92 with numerous interviews with key figures from that era. The book offers useful information about the democratic revolution in East Germany, German unification, and the immediate aftermath. In addition, it builds upon the general framework of early postrevolutionary books such as Surge to Freedom by J.F. Brown (CH, Nov'91). Coverage of the unification process is complete and lively. Pond gives special attention to topics such as the painstaking negotiations over the Two plus Four formula, discussions about the role of Soviet troops in the eastern part of Germany, and the importance of regional organizations such as EC, CSCE, and NATO. Unlike some analysts, she credits President Bush with contributions to the reunification process. Although the book is highly informative and useful, it lacks the theoretical framework that would facilitate an understanding of the overall significance of the conclusions. The book contains a valuable bibliographic essay, extensive notes, and a complete list of references. General audiences and advanced undergraduates as well as academic specialists will benefit from the book. J. W. Peterson; Valdosta State College

Author notes provided by Syndetics

Elizabeth Pond is a journalist based in Germany. Currently a correspondent for the Washington Quarterly , she was a longtime European correspondent for the Christian Science Monitor . She is the author, most recently, of Friendly Fire: The Near-Death of the Transatlantic Alliance (Brookings, 2003) and The Rebirth of Europe (Brookings, revised 2002).