The Berlin Wall: A World Divided

by Hope M. Harrison

5 hours and 2 minutes

The Berlin Wall is perhaps modern history’s most infamous edifice.

For 28 years, it divided postwar Germany into communist-controlled east and democratic west. Then, in 1989, it collapsed - transforming a symbol of communist oppression into a potent emblem of freedom.

Why, and how, was the Berlin Wall constructed? How did Germans adapt to its presence or try to escape it? What political and social forces were responsible for its destruction? What still remains of the Berlin Wall, and how do today’s Germans grapple with its legacy?

The Berlin Wall: A World Divided is more than just the story of brick, concrete, and barbed wire. It’s the story of a city, a country, and a world - all of them divided. To hear how the Berlin Wall exemplified this division is to gain insights into a central tension of world history: between the human drive for freedom and the political will that would control and repress that drive. Drawing on years of research using former top-secret communist archives, Hope M. Harrison has crafted a riveting Audible Original that brings to life the political, social, and cultural history of the Berlin Wall. She shares the story of the millions of people who lived in its real shadow - and still live in its figurative one.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Audiobook

6 pages, Audible Audio

Published October 21, 2021

Reviews

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid course that sums up the history of Berlin as a divided city after WWII, covering the history of the Berlin Wall, its victims and its legacy. Nothing here that was new to me, but given that I was born in the GDR and grew up near Berlin, it's a vastly more personally relevant subject to me than to the majority of its intended audience. Gotta say, it's very nice to listen to a lecturer who knows how to pronounce German...

[Gilbert Stack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harrison provides a quick overview of the Berlin Wall, starting with the political situation that led to its creation and ending with the aftermath of its demolition. The account is punctuated with both exciting and heart-wrenching tales of real people who risked (and often lost) everything in an attempt to move from east to west. Harrison provides a lot of details I didn’t know. Perhaps most striking was that the wall was initiated by the East Germans without the approval of the Soviet Union—that sort of independence is not something the stereotype of the Iron Curtain led me to expect. I was also surprised by just how much official transit went on between East and West through the wall and how dependent the East German government was on the revenue that they gained from taxing those they let visit from the west. I was also surprised to learn that West Germany was in the habit of “purchasing” the freedom of many East Germans convicted of trying to escape to the west. On this level, East Germany was actually quite capitalistic.

If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.

[John Remedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stumbled across this on Audible and realised I knew nothing about the subject, being aged six when the Wall came down. I found it interesting and informative, with a decent amount of time dedicated to each lecture.

[Mark Stattelman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I own over one hundred of The Great Courses on Dvd and subscribe to The Great Courses Plus streaming service (the only option available now as Dvd purchases are no longer offered) and am happy to see that The Teaching Company has teamed up with Audible. Having said this, I'll admit that some of the lectures can get a little boring.
The narrator in this one is probably a very good teacher (as are most all of the instructors of the courses) but this was mostly a not always fascinating listen (I'm trying to word this generously is why it sounds awkward). And there were some highlights and interesting parts throughout. The narrator did try to juice things up a bit in tone and enthusiasm. Perhaps the material is dry to begin with, especially if you aren't a history buff. I am a history buff, however . . .
Maybe I'm simply used to watching/listening to these courses in 40 to 60 minute segments at a time, and this was just over 5 hrs if I remember correctly. I listened over two to three days while driving. This is pretty much how I listen to most audiobooks. This was relatively short by audiobook standards. I've listened to some that are 30 to 40 hrs long (spread out over days at a time).
In any case, I'm sure the narrator is excellent in the classroom and I don't want to knock anything about this series, or this book in particular. This is dry history, but there are glimmers of interesting bits of info and stories that pop up throughout . . .
Let me just say that you should really be very interested in the subject and in this period in particular before attempting this. It's good info but keep this caveat in mind. You can always just listen to one chapter at a time instead of letting it run all the way through.

[Nigeyb · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the time of writing The Berlin Wall: A World Divided is a free audiobook for anyone with an Audible UK membership. It's a series of lectures by Hope M. Harrison that cover the history of the Berlin Wall. Having just finished the fascinating Checkmate in Berlin: The Cold War Showdown That Shaped the Modern World I was keen to continue the story. Helpfully The Berlin Wall: A World Divided picks up where Checkmate ends and it vividly illuminates the political, social, and cultural history of the wall, and the GDR. Needless to say it includes touching tales of people who risked everything in an attempt to move from east to west. It's a fascinating listen which covers a lot of ground in just five hours.

4/5

[Klee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This audiobook was absolutely fascinating, shedding light on so much I didn’t know about how the Berlin Wall truly came to be. It delves deep into the complex relationships within Germany - between East and West - while also exploring the wider international connections that shaped its history.

The personal stories were heartbreaking, especially those of escape attempts and tragic losses. It reminded me of someone I met who had grown up in East Germany, recalling how a banana and chocolate from her grandmother in the West felt like the ultimate Christmas treat - I did not fully understand the devastating reality of the divide.

I was particularly intrigued by the unexpected influence of international pop stars, from David Bowie’s “Heroes” becoming an anthem of hope to the strange admiration for Bruce Springsteen in the East.

Overall, this is an incredibly important and eye-opening listen - essential for anyone wanting to understand one of history’s most defining divides.

[Niniane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing. The wall was erected from a fearful controlling regime to prevent East Germans from going to the West.

Hundreds of people tried bold escapes, and over 100 were shot and killed. People could also apply to emigrate. A few people were approved, and many of the others were punished including jail time.

Eventually there was some loosening of rules, including from Gorbachev.

The final dissolution was due to a mistake. One government official took a press conference with free questions, without having read the new travel rules. He gave a jumbled answer from his paper, failing to mention some of the restrictions. Many thousands of people went to the wall expecting to cross immediately. The guards finally gave in.

This felt optimistic to me, hearing about decades of fearful control that eventually had a peaceful resolution.

[Aly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very brief yet well-rounded political history of Germany starting at the end of the Second World War until current times. Harrison skillfully weaves in the story of the creation and subsequent tearing down of the wall (along with the heartbreaking stories of some of the people whose lives were tragically affected by it), in order to help the listener understand it's consequences on both a macro (political) and micro (individual) level. Obviously too short to be comprehensive by any means, but a great introduction for anyone interested in learning about the topic. You can already get so much out of this book/lecture without any prerequisites, but I feel like having an understanding of the general history of Europe did slightly elevate the experience.

[Prahalathan KK · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a Great Courses production in the form of lectures.
Why was the wall built? Usually walls are built to protest from those outside, how was this wall different?
Who built the Berlin Wall? I've always thought the Russians did it until now
The allies defeated the Germans, split Germany among the four countries at the end of the second world war, but the wall was built much later
A large part of the course if about people who successfully and unsuccessfully tried to cross the wall
The fall of the berlin wall is one of the landmark moments for democracy and the end of the cold war, but it happened by mistake.
Recommended only for the history buffs

[Gregory Eakins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having been born in the generation just after the Berlin Wall, this little segment of history is sort of a big question mark. In this lecture, Hope Harrison briefly covers the history of the wall, the victims, the fall, and the legacy.

Scattered throughout the lectures are personal stories of those affected by the wall, such as those who tried to escape from East Germany. This helps ground the history into something real.

For those unfamiliar with the history of the Berlin Wall, this short lecture series will quickly get you up to speed on the gist of the whole situation.

[Sandra Vdplaats · Rating 5 out of 5]

** Audible audiobook ** 5 hours.

(I was in Berlin before the wall fell - ).

I remember like it was yesterday. I was studying German, and I had to get up early for a lecture that morning. I remember my mum waking me up, and telling me to quickly turn on the TV. And I remember crying for the most part of the day.

This is an account of an incomprehensible piece of history. Well-researched, and utterly heartbreaking.

[Hanna Kylin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title of this course is somewhat misleading, as it is so much more! This is a well structured, concise and captivating journey through the history of Germany, from the end of the second world war to the present.

As a German immigrant living in Berlin I find this very useful. It's given me colour to fill in all the lines around me.

[Dean HOCK1NG · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this on audible and found it very interesting. It’s written in a supposed lecture format but was so direct and to the point and full of interesting facts and stories that I wanted to continue once I’d started! A great piece of writing on such an important part of history

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

We are going to Germany and I was interested in learning about the Berlin Wall when I saw this audiobook referenced. It is an excellent book- comprehensive yet concise- detailing the political, social and cultural aspects of the Berlin Wall and the development of East Germany.

[Nick Harriss · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting listen. I was pretty familiar with the “big” events around the divided Berlin from 1945 to 1990, but this series of lectures gives a lot of useful information regarding what happened in between.

[Hammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

INCREDIBLE! Would 1k for sure read again.

[مُهنا · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating stuff.

[Selene Peck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fascinating!

[Sharolyn Stauffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent and engaging short lecture series with some interesting stories.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good history of the BW with personal stories of people on both sides.

[Jeff J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Concise history of the Berlin Wall.