In the West, we often assume our way of life is the ideal and that everyone else aspires to have what we do. This belief shapes our foreign policy and even how we view those born outside our perceived paradise. Hester Vaizey challenges this notion in Born in the GDR.

We take for granted that those living under the oppression of communism must have been overjoyed when the Berlin Wall fell. But for many, the sudden collapse of their world brought unexpected challenges. While life under communism meant enduring shortages and sacrificing luxuries, it also guaranteed jobs, food, and a sense of security. Overnight, those guarantees disappeared, replaced by the uncertainty of capitalism and the harsh realities of a consumer-driven society. Would their skills be enough to compete? Could they adapt, survive, and even thrive?

Through the voices of eight individuals, Vaizey reveals the deeply personal and often surprising experiences of this historic upheaval. Their stories challenge assumptions and offer a nuanced perspective on life after the Wall.

Recently, I’ve been on a non-fiction reading spree, and Born in the GDR is one of the standout books I’ve encountered. It’s thought-provoking, eye-opening, and well worth your time.

While this book gave a different perspective of the fall of the Berlin Wall, it would have been nice to actually read the interviews. The author does a great job of giving insight to the emotions and feelings of the people from East Berlin. The book truly gives you a whole new way of thinking about things. The different perspectives of the eight people and how they remember growing up and living in the GDR is very insightful. The author shows that not everyone sees things exactly the same and that everything isn't what it looks like.