The Berlin Wall

“It’s hard to describe how life was so hard and dreary [in East Berlin]. The ache to get away from the . . . secret police snoops, from the grey meat, from the clothes that itched and the air that stung your eyes was palpable,” said Hans-Peter Spitzner, a member of the last family to escape East Germany before the fall of the Berlin Wall. This engaging and detailed history begins with the tense story of Spitzner and his daughter’s escape through Checkpoint Charlie. Later chapters describe the construction of the wall in 1961, life in East Berlin and life in West Berlin, how conditions changed over the course of the Cold War, and how the wall ultimately fell. Informative text boxes and sidebars provide more detail about such topics as airdrops of candy and student protests. A map, diagram, and many period photographs help readers visualize Berlin life. Back matter includes a time line, list of essential facts, glossary, additional resources, source notes, and an index.