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The concise history of the GDR covers the time leading up to the building of the Wall and ending in 1990. Hoyer aims to show the reader what life in the GDR was like - including welfare state, home and family, popular culture and foreign relations -while also focusing on key figures such as Walter Ulbricht, Erich Honecker and head of Stasi, Erich Mielke. When it comes to women‘s equality, the GDR was one step ahead of the west: women were working

On the way home from ballet rehearsal on Sunday I visited 2 different Little Free Libraries. These were my spoils. 5.5 hours of ballet done this weekend ✅. I‘m a bit sore as I had a bit of a rest in the school holidays just gone.

This book tells the true story of 5 Munich university students, who set up an underground resistance movement against the Nazis, & their tragic fate.

This was all new to me as although I've read quite a bit about WWII, I'd never heard of the 'White Rose'. The story of their tragically short-lived efforts to establish a resistance movement against the Nazis is an important one, but I felt a bit short-changed with regards to the people themselves.

The author admits in the first chapter that fascism is difficult to define and that different characteristics will be emphasised depending on what definition one chooses. The characteristics he chooses to highlight have some uncomfortable resonances this year (2025) considering this book dates from 2014. ⬇

#coffeeandabook

I'd place this somewhere between "pick" and "so-so." It's a decent read, and provides a good overview of the Teutonic Knights. Some parts, such as the structure of the order, where interesting. However, the style of writing didn't quite draw me in. Still would recommend if you're looking for an introduction to the Teutonic Knights.

This book HURTS! I have, over the course of this trilogy; developed anxiety, heart palpitations, and my depression is definitely not living the good life. I think these books are an important read and a deeply emotional reminder. I learned a lot, and am horrified by all of it. 5/5 stars ⭐️

It is a very timely and interesting book. The parts showing the parallels between propaganda in wwII and today's especially Russian propaganda are very thought-provoking. I especially like how the author establishes that propaganda often lets you act up and confirm your own prejudices and darker designs. We are all deeply flawed, and because of that, we are very vulnerable to manipulation

Irene interested in reading as well.
#readingcats #catsandbooks #TuxedoCats

I finally finished this massive tome. I‘ve neglected learning much about WW2 over my lifetime, so this was quite the journey through history, but well worth it. I realize that some modern academic historians are critical of Shirer‘s work in that as a journalist, they view him as an amateur who failed to research and analyze in a rigorous manner. I‘m in no position to weigh in on that, but I can confess that I did enjoy this book quite a bit.