I read ‘Stasi State or Socialist Paradise?: The German Democratic Republic and What Became of It’ by Bruni de la Motte, John Green, and Seumas Milne. This book really challenged my western perspective on East Germany and highlighted the complex collapse that occurred. Something that isn’t talked about is how many social and workers rights were taken away or reduced when the wall fell. Feminism in particular backslid tremendously as state support for female employment was removed and women as a result faced widespread unemployment.

I guess I just want to point out it wasn’t a perfect black and white victory for the west, it was also a calamity that caused depression era style suffering for the people living there. I strongly recommend the book for anyone that enjoys circle jerking the fall of the Wall.