Beyond the Wall, East Germany, 1949 - 1990, Katja Hoyer — 1st Edition

Condition

Near Fine: Original unclipped dust jacket shows light rubbing to edges and corners, one scuff to the spine, with small creases to the front and back panels and faint staining; artwork remains clear and bright. Original cloth binding in excellent condition, with only slight creasing to the spine. Binding tight and square. Internally, pages are clean, bright, and appear unread. A sharp, well-preserved copy overall.

Description

A modern first edition, first printing (Allen Lane, 2023, with “007” on the copyright page), presented in original cloth with dust jacket. As a recent and well-received work of historical scholarship, early printings are of interest to collectors of contemporary history titles, particularly those issued by Allen Lane, the hardback imprint of Penguin. While not yet scarce, copies in high-grade condition will become increasingly desirable over time, especially as Katja Hoyer’s reputation continues to develop. A strong example for collectors of modern first editions and Cold War history.

Beyond the Wall offers a sweeping history of East Germany from its founding in 1949 to its collapse in 1990, drawing on personal stories as well as political analysis. Katja Hoyer explores the everyday lives of those who lived under the GDR, examining how ideology, surveillance, and social structures shaped their experiences. The book presents a nuanced portrait of a state often reduced to Cold War stereotypes, revealing its complexities and contradictions.