New Books in History How Did Germany Go From Vilified to Respected?: A Conversation Andrew I. Port
Mar 23, 2026
Andrew I. Port, Professor of German history and author of Germany (Polity, 2025), traces Germany’s dramatic postwar transformation. He contrasts East and West developments, explains how division was imposed, and examines reunification’s promises and disappointments. He also discusses the long 1950s, the rise of the far right, and changing expectations about German responsibility and identity.
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Write Assuming No Prior Knowledge
- When writing for general readers, assume no prior knowledge and avoid jargon; Port modeled the book on his teaching approach after detecting students often hadn't done readings.
- He recommends clear, lecture-style exposition that introduces basics before layered analysis.
Sixties Consolidated Both Germanys
- The 1960s were a decade of consolidation not only protest: East Germany consolidated after the Wall and reforms, West Germany consolidated through economic boom and the 1968 movement's integration.
- Port sees 1968 radicals ultimately becoming mainstream leaders, reshaping society from inside.
Currency Union Triggered Instant Shopping Frenzy
- Port describes the immediate effect of currency unions: East Berlin stores emptied before Deutschmark introduction and later filled when currency union happened in July 1990.
- He recounts personally traveling to buy a Bulgarian wine he knew would vanish after currency change, illustrating everyday economic shock.
