The German Democratic Republic The Rise and Fall of a Cold War State (428)

Cold War Conversations Podcast

Ian Sanders

Society & Culture, Documentary, History

4.8 • 758 Ratings

🗓️ 1 November 2025

⏱️ 71 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Ned Richardson- Little has written a new book titled The German Democratic Republic: The Rise and Fall of a Cold War State. It offers a differentiated picture of the communist state with a sophisticated analysis of life under dictatorship which candidly confronts the abuses of the East German Communist Party and the Stasi. The GDR was also entangled in international politics well beyond the rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union. Ned offers a history of the GDR in a global perspective that illustrates the worldview of those who ruled it, those who rebelled against the strictures of state socialism, and those in between who sought a normal life under dictatorship. Buy the book & support the podcast here: UK listeners https://uk.bookshop.org/a/1549/9781350341517 US listeners https://bookshop.org/a/92195/9781350341517 Episode extras including videos here ⁠⁠https://coldwarconversations.com/episode428/⁠⁠ The fight to preserve Cold War history continues and via a simple monthly donation, you will give me the ammunition to continue to preserve Cold War history. You’ll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history. Just go to ⁠⁠https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/⁠⁠ If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, We also welcome one-off donations via the same link. Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to ⁠⁠https://coldwarconversations.com/store/⁠⁠ Continue the Cold War Conversation via social media! F acebook ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/⁠⁠ BlueSky ⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/coldwarpod.bsky.social⁠⁠ Threads ⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@coldwarconversations⁠⁠ Twitter/X ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod⁠⁠ Instagram ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/⁠⁠ Youtube ⁠⁠https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	Welcome to Cold War Conversations, the home of real stories of the Cold War.
0:06.5	Are you stuck in traffic watching brake lights when you'd rather be watching the northern lights?
0:12.6	At HSBC, we know ambition looks different to everyone.
0:16.2	Whether it's retiring early or leaving more for your family, we can help.
0:20.1	Because when it comes to unlocking
0:21.3	your money's potential, we know wealth. Search HSBC Wealth today to get your financial future moving.
0:28.1	HSBC UK opening up a world of opportunity. HSBC UK current account holders only.
0:35.7	Please stand clear of the gap.
0:40.1	Another morning, another reminder there's a gap to be careful of.
0:45.0	But maybe it's time to bridge the one between your 9 to 5 and your dream of living life on your own terms.
0:48.8	At HSBC, we know ambition looks different to everyone.
0:52.4	Whether it's retiring early or leaving more for your family, we can help.
0:54.4	Because when it comes to unlocking your money's potential, we know wealth. Search HSBC Wealth today. HSBC UK, opening up a world of opportunity.
1:01.5	HSBC UK current account holders only. The state as an entity no longer is willing to defend its own
1:08.9	authority. No one's willing to put their lives on the line in the same way.
1:12.1	No one's willing to kill for it.
1:13.7	And once enough people push back on this, it's sort of like a door-giving way.
1:19.5	This is Cold War Conversations.
1:22.9	If you're new here, you've come to the right place to listen to Cold War History.
1:27.4	Please make sure you follow us in your podcast app so you don't miss future episodes.
1:33.3	Ned Richardson Little has written a new book titled The German Democratic Republic,
1:37.3	The Rise and Fall of a Cold War State.
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Ian Sanders, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Ian Sanders and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.