"So far there has been a dearth of studies on the economic history of the GDR, unlike the recent surge of general historical accounts. Based on an exceptional knowledge of the literature and well supported by a number of key, so far unpublished, documents, this book fills the gap. Andre Steiner fully succeeds in his attempt, managing to produce from highly complex material a very accessible text for a wide readership without sacrificing analytical quality." - H-Soz-u-Kult

The establishment of the Communist social model in one part of Germany was a result of international postwar...