Overview

Building on a strong foundation of primary sources, this unique study traces the role of East Germany's military (NVA) in the country's unification with West Germany. Utilizing interviews with and questionnaires from NVA officers, Herspring unravels the puzzle of the NVA's decision against using force to save the political system it was sworn to serve. The author also examines the integration of a select minority of officers and NCOs into the Bundeswehr. Illuminating the problems encountered by the Bundeswehr as it incorporated these individuals, Herspring constructs an ideal type of officer in one of the most politicized and tightly controlled of all communist militaries. His findings will be invaluable for all military-political specialists and for anyone interested in the process of transition from authoritarian/totalitarian to democratic systems.

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9780847687183

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Reviews

Dale Herspring has uncovered a fascinating story about the conduct and collapse of the East German army during both the protest against the East German government and also the reunification of Germany. -- Ronald A. Francisco, University of Kansas This is a brilliant book, combining scholarly rigor at its best with compassionate understanding of the complex social problems caused by the downfall of East Germany's political system and its military structure. A masterpiece of contemporary historical writing: carefully researched, thoroughly analyzed, judiciously concluded, and well-written. Excellent! -- Colonel Hans-Werner Weber, former NVA officer and senior advisor to the last defense minister of the GDR In Requiem for an Army, Dale R. Herspring offers a useful English summary of the events surrounding the collapse of the East German military. Professor Herspring contribution is to have identified the key actors as well as the questions we should ask them to determine why the NVA permitted a peaceful transition to democracy and reunification. Journal Of Conflict Studies The remarkable materials assembled in the Herspring volume in the desintegration of the NVA will make this book the point of departure for analysis of a military-political event that had no precedent as of 1989. Contemporary Security Policy All in all a fascinating account; it is hard to fault the thorough treatment of the topic. It fills an important gap in the publications on German unification available in English. Political Studies [Herspring's] book fills important gaps in our understanding of Germany's unification. -- H. Krisch, emeritus, University of Connecticut CHOICE, October 1999

Dale Herspring has uncovered a fascinating story about the conduct and collapse of the East German army during both the protest against the East German government and also the reunification of Germany.--Ronald A. Francisco

Author Information

Dale R. Herspring is University Distinguished Professor at Kansas State University.

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