A history of the 103-mile wall between East and West Germany discusses its geopolitical ramifications, its representation of the struggle between Soviet communism and American capitalism, and the internal and external pressures that led to its dismantling.

"First published in Great Britain in 2006 by Bloomsbury Publishing"--T.p. verso.

Foreword : Welcome to the wall -- [I] Sand : Marsh Town -- Reds -- 'It must look democratic, but we must have everything in our hands' -- Blockade -- [II] Blood : 'Dissolve the people and elect another' -- The crown princes -- Wag the dog -- Operation 'Rose' -- [III] Wire : Barded-wire Sunday -- Prisoners -- 'That bastard from Berlin' -- [IV] Cement : Wall games -- High noon in the Friedrichstrasse -- Break-outs -- 'Ich bin ein Berliner' -- [V] Money : The surreal cage -- Endgame -- The wall came tumbling down -- Afterword : The theft of hope.