Berlin Divided City, 1945-1989

Broadbent (Germanic studies, University of Texas, Austin) and Hake (German literature and culture, University of Texas, Austin) and their contributors re-evaluate the cultural life of Berlin, East and West, from the end of World War II until the demolition of the Wall in 1989. The collection begins in the moral and physical rubble of Berlin in 1945. The authors then trace the rebirth of art, architecture, music and drama in the years up to the building of the Berlin Wall in 1961. Although the east/west division was evident before the wall, it grew considerably afterwards so separate sections describe the differences in cultural development. While political propaganda is evident on both sides, the authors look beneath the Cold War debate to find emotional concerns that are particular to both Berlins. The final section covers the effects of unification. The essays are refreshingly unbiased, something that would have been difficult to find before unification. An interesting commentary on a brief but pivotal period in history. Annotation c2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Philip Broadbent is Assistant Professor in the Department of Germanic Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. He has published on literary representations of post- 1990 Berlin and contemporary European fiction. His current book project looks at the emergence of cool aesthetics in West Germany.