The Berlin Wall

Gelb presents a fairly complete history and description of the wall, from its geographical parameters to its geopolitical significance, from its philosophical and functional architects to its detractors and apologists. The book is at its breathless best in recounting the stringing of the first strands of barbed wire in August 1961, and in describing the innovative attempts of East Germans to escape . Gelb was a correspondent for the Mutual Broadcasting Network in Berlin during the wall's construction. His writing style is very much popular journalism, and one almost expects to read comic book-like expletives. Despite this, or perhaps because of it, the book will appeal to a broad spectrum of readers. Gelb does raise an interesting question, though he does not pursue it far enough.