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sigfig's review
4.0
Fascinating perspective. He does a good job covering all communities along the wall and some interesting stories from each area. Great cast of characters he meets along the way.
There are a lot of countries I need to go learn some more about.
There are a lot of countries I need to go learn some more about.
bekahdb's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
This book was a wonderful overview of so many different countries, ethnicities, cultures, and stories from the iron curtain. There were so many places and forces I was totally unaware of (Denmark, GDR, Albania, Corfu, etc.) that convicted me to learn more. The personal travel component was also great - I felt in a way like I was along for the trip.
sarahtokar's review
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
4.0
I enjoyed listening to this on audio, though I probably should have read a hard copy so I could remember the place names better. Also, I could have used some maps and pictures to enhance the experience. Overall some great new tidbits of history to add to my decent understanding of the topic. Like the little Danish island which was liberated and controlled by the Soviets at the end of the war (unlike the rest of the country); the tiny piece of West Germany -- a popular seaside getaway - which lay in East German territory; the dozen or so smaller versions of the Berlin Wall; the outrageous numbers of Stasi personnel (and the correspondingly large # of files on GDR citizens); the bizarre features of Albanian communism; the Corfu Strait event (British Bay of Pigs); the also bizarre nature of Azerbaijan geography and current cult of personality.
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