The Last Division: Berlin, the Wall, and the Cold War

(Paperback)

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A brilliant paper chasean excellent book.Library Journal

JFK, Khrushchev, Reagan, and a city divided.

Berlin has played a major role in world politics since the Nazi era and continues to be in the spotlight today as the once-again-great capital of Germany. Ann Tusa presents an engaging chronicle of the Cold War partitions of this historic city, from the political strife and administrative division by the victors against Hitler, through the building and eventual destruction of the Wall.

Using newly available documents, she offers by far the fullest account to date of the political, diplomatic, and military affairs of the city, with vivid characterizations of central figures like Konrad Adenauer, Nikita Khrushchev, and British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan. Tusa's account also displays the full drama surrounding the building of the Wall, from its ramifications for world politics (including John F. Kennedy's famous response that a wall is a hell of a lot better than a war and Ronald Reagans iconic Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!) to the experiences of ordinary Berliners and the personal tragedies they experienced as the Wall severed a living city and sundered families for generations.

The result is a startling combination of historical detail and lucid style, a story that The Sunday Times of London has hailed as not only painstakingly researched but eminently readable.

Reviews

"Tusa tells this exciting story well."New York Times

Tusa's perceptive analysis is complemented by shrewd assessments of the principal players in this drama."Publisher's Weekly

An excellent jobTusas work comes to life.Kirkus Reviews

A brilliant paper chasean excellent book.Library Journal
"Tusa tells this exciting story well."New York Times

Tusa's perceptive analysis is complemented by shrewd assessments of the principal players in this drama."Publisher's Weekly

An excellent jobTusas work comes to life.Kirkus Reviews

A brilliant paper chasean excellent book.Library Journal

Author Bio

Ann Tusa is the coauthor, along with her husband and writing partner John Tusa, of The Berlin Airlift and The Nuremberg Trial. She lives in London, England.

Raymond Seitzis a former career diplomat and U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom.