Stasiland: Stories from Behind the Berlin Wall
“Stasiland demonstrates that great, original reporting is still possible. . . . A heartbreaking, beautifully written book. A classic.” — Claire Tomalin, Guardian “Books of the Year” Winner of the Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-Fiction: a powerfully moving account of people who heroically resisted the communist dictatorship of East Germany, and of people who worked for its secret police, the Stasi. Anna Funder delivers a prize-winning and powerfully rendered account of the resistance against East Germany’s communist dictatorship in these harrowing, personal tales of life behind the Iron Curtain—and, especially, of life under the iron fist of the Stasi, East Germany’s brutal state security force. In thetradition of Frederick Taylor’s The Berlin Wall and Philip Gourevitch’s We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will be Killed With Our Families, Funder’s Stasiland is a masterpiece of investigative reporting, written with novelistic vividness and the compelling intensity of a universal, real-life story.
A Haunting Glimpse into Life Under East German Surveillance
Anna Funder's Stasiland: Stories from Behind the Berlin Wall is a poignant and powerful collection of personal testimonies from individuals who lived under the watchful eye of the Stasi, the East German secret police. Funder meticulously weaves together their experiences, revealing the pervasive fear, paranoia, and oppression that defined life in the former German Democratic Republic (GDR).
A Mosaic of Lived Experiences:
The book goes beyond dry historical accounts, instead focusing on the human stories behind the headlines. Funder interviews individuals from various backgrounds, including musicians, artists, writers, and ordinary citizens. Their narratives offer a kaleidoscope of perspectives, revealing the diverse ways in which the Stasi infiltrated and manipulated every aspect of life in the GDR.
Unveiling the Invisible Oppressor:
The Stasi's methods of control were both brutal and sophisticated. Funder details their intricate network of informers, their use of technology for surveillance, and their psychological tactics that instilled fear and distrust within communities. The book shines a light on the invisible oppressor that haunted the lives of millions, leaving a lasting impact on individuals and society as a whole.
More Than Just a Historical Account:
"Stasiland" transcends the realm of historical documentation. Funder's skillful storytelling breathes life into the testimonies, allowing readers to connect with the individuals on an emotional level. The stories are filled with moments of courage, resilience, and even humor, showcasing the human spirit's ability to endure even the most oppressive circumstances.
Strengths:
- Compelling narratives: Funder's ability to weave together personal stories is captivating, making the book both informative and emotionally engaging.
- Unique perspectives: The diverse range of interviewees provides a comprehensive picture of life under the Stasi, offering a deeper understanding of the GDR's society and culture.
- Vivid descriptions: Funder's evocative writing brings the stories to life, allowing readers to feel the fear, paranoia, and uncertainty that permeated everyday life in East Germany.
- Exploration of complex issues: The book goes beyond simply recounting historical events, delving into the psychological, social, and political ramifications of living under constant surveillance.
Weaknesses:
- Limited historical context: While the book provides sufficient information for individual stories, it could benefit from a more comprehensive historical overview of the GDR and the Stasi's broader political role.
- Focus on individuals: While the focus on individual stories is a strength, it may leave some readers wanting a more analytical discussion of the Stasi's wider impact on East German society.
Overall Impression:
"Stasiland" is a haunting and unforgettable read that offers a unique and intimate look into life behind the Berlin Wall. By giving voice to the victims of the Stasi, Funder reminds us of the human cost of oppression and the importance of protecting individual freedoms. This book is a valuable addition to the historical record and serves as a powerful reminder of the fragility of democracy.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Recommendation: Highly recommended for anyone interested in twentieth-century history, the Cold War, and the impact of totalitarian regimes on individuals and societies. It is also a poignant read for those seeking to understand the human cost of political repression.
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Anna Funder, Author 
Anna Funder, born in 1966, is a highly acclaimed Australian author known for her compelling works that explore historical and political themes. Her notable books include "Stasiland," "All That I Am," and the novella "The Girl With the Dogs." Funder's writing has garnered widespread recognition, earning her prestigious awards and establishing her as a prominent figure in the literary world.
Early Life and Education: Anna Funder's educational journey began with primary schooling in Melbourne and Paris. She later attended Star of the Sea College, where she graduated as Dux in 1983. Her academic pursuits led her to the University of Melbourne and the Freie Universität of Berlin. Funder holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) and a Bachelor of Laws (Hons). She furthered her studies with a Master of Arts from the University of Melbourne and earned a Doctor of Creative Arts from the University of Technology Sydney.
Career Transition: Before transitioning to a full-time writing career in the late 1990s, Funder worked as an international lawyer for the Australian Government. Her expertise spanned human rights, constitutional law, and treaty negotiation. This diverse background in law and advocacy would later influence and enrich her literary works.
Literary Achievements: Anna Funder's writing has received numerous accolades and awards, showcasing her talent for storytelling and her ability to delve into complex historical narratives. Her essays, feature articles, and columns have been featured in esteemed publications such as The Guardian, The Sunday Times, The Sydney Morning Herald, Best Australian Essays, and The Monthly.
Stasiland: Funder's breakthrough work, "Stasiland," explores the stories of individuals who resisted the communist dictatorship of East Germany and those who worked for the infamous Stasi secret police. This book, translated into 16 languages, earned Funder the 2004 Samuel Johnson Prize and recognition as a finalist for several other prestigious awards.
All That I Am: In 2012, Funder released the novel "All That I Am," shedding light on the untold story of four German-Jewish anti-Hitler activists forced to flee to London. The novel received critical acclaim, earning Funder numerous awards, including the Miles Franklin Award in 2012.
Human Rights Advocacy: Beyond her literary achievements, Funder is actively involved in human rights activities. She serves as an ambassador for the International Cities of Refuge Network (ICORN), offering safe havens for persecuted writers. Funder is also a member of the Advisory Panel of the Australian Privacy Foundation, showcasing her commitment to social causes.
Public Appearances and Awards: Funder has made significant public appearances, delivering named lectures and contributing to various publications. Her feature "Secret History" won the 2007 ASA Maunder Award for Journalism. She has received multiple awards, including the Samuel Johnson Prize (2004) and the InStyle magazine's Woman of Style Award for Arts & Culture in 2013.
Anna Funder's extensive list of awards and nominations reflects her impact on literature and her dedication to addressing social and historical issues through her writing.
Ms. Funder's book is alternatingly moving and enraging, but always intriguing. She captures well the tragedy of the eastern part of Germany that was never truly freed from tyranny after World War II and indeed only transitioned from one set of brutes, thugs and criminals to another set of the same. You cannot come away from this book not appreciating the freedom God has blessed us with in the Western world nor taking it for granted again.
Ms. Funder's chronicle of the brutality of the criminal Hoenecker/Mielke regime is intelligent and well crafted. Funder is a terrific writer and she is a supremely talented at chronicaling history with a name and face attached as she brings forth the accounts of ex-Stasi agents and the subjects of their oppression who suffered in Stasi prisons and the larger prison that was the DDR.
The tale of the woman whose son was injured during the birthing process and is subsequently spirited out of East Berlin to West Berlin for treatment and her attempts to escape the East to be with her convalescing baby is as heartbreaking a tale you are ever likely to encounter. But at the same time it renews your faith in humanity as this woman refuses to betray an innocent man to the vile Hoeneker regime in exchange for an exit visa to West Berlin. Her's is one of the great stories of courage and absolute decency I've known.
The hapless woman's tale is also one of the most galling stories of oppression by a regime psychotically obsessed with preventing the free movement of its people as I've come across and I've studied a great deal about the evil regimes in the former USSR, North Korea, Saddam's Iraq, Cuba, etc. Yet some of the stories in this book still managed to shock my sensibilities despite all I know about the depredations inflicted by other regimes on their hapless peoples.
The arrogance and lack of shame of some of the ex-Stasi reptiles Ms. Funder interviews is also an outrage. But I'm glad Ms. Funder included their perspective which made the history she develops much richer. It is an interesting study to see the various personalities of these brutes and what they think of their role in that oppressive regime today.
One of the things you will immediately notice about Funder's book is the degree to which she is present in the book and very much included in the accounts she develops. At first I wondered if this would be off-putting, making the book read more like a novel than as a history, especially as she developed the story of her German drinking partner. I found myself sort of dreading the parts of the book that included him but as was so often the case with people who lived in the East it turned out her friend had an interesting tale to tell as well.
Some might find Ms. Funder's omnipresence in the book self-indulgent but I found it ended up making the book more readable and injecting more of the human element in a book that recounts so much inhumanity. This is afterall a tale told from the human perspective and Ms. Funder is a very likeable personality indeed. I also appeciated her outrage and description of actual physical distress Funder experienced as she encounters tale after tale after tale of criminality by people who abused their power.
So prepare for a fascinating tale into darkness as you re-live a very dark period and place in human history. For Americans who may look with skepticism on your own country and institutions, pick this book up and learn once again to appreciate the freedom and abundance you live in.
It will put into perspective as well all those who decry supposed "torture" of terrorist prisoners at Gitmo and elsewhere. I defy them to read this book and still tell me the terrorist mass murderers in our custody have endured anything even a millioneth as horrifying as the East German regime inflicted on their own people and those who ran afoul of the regime there, often on trumped up charges rammed through to conviction with kangaroo courts.
The Al Qaeda fiends at Gitmo are living at a Sandals Resort compared to what the prisoners of the East German regime experienced. Nothing that the murderers at Gitmo have experienced is torture, (and even then only 3 of the top Al Qaeda leaders imprisoned there were even waterboarded, which produced information that prevented further attacks according to CIA sources and other arrests) certainly not when compared to the sadism of the Stasi jailers. The jihadis have been treated with absolute deference and respect compared to what the DDR regime accorded even those of its citizens not imprisoned.
