Dealing with the Devil

“Highly readable. . . . Highly recommended.” — CHOICE

“In this excellent book, M.E. Sarotte explores the process of rapprochement between the German Democratic Repubic and the Federal Republic of Germany from 1969 to 1973 . . . . Sarotte deploys a wealth of archival evidence and reaches some new and fascinating conclusions. Overall, the book is lucidly written, thoroughly researched, and well structured . . . . This is a very impressive piece of scholarship, which should be consulted not only by historians of the former GDR but also by students of postwar international relations.” — American Historical Review

“Sarotte has taken full advantage of the availability of new archival sources since 1990 to produce this important study of Ostpolitik which concentrates on the diplomatic, political and economic manoeuvrings of the period from the East German perspective. . . . A worthwhile book which will correct misconceptions and supplement our understanding of the motives and constraints of both Germanies.” — German History

“An excellent piece of research, based on unpublished documents from party and state archives. . . . A rare example of truly international history. Its author used not only German sources and literature, but also American, French, and Russian material.” — Journal of Cold War Studies

“Particularly deserving of praise is the author’s significant accomplishment of proving conclusively a crucial point: the significance of the 'China factor.' She shows the escalation of the Sino-Soviet conflict and the US-Chinese rapprochement functioned as catalysts. . . . This book is in particular worth reading because it confirms that the relations between the two German states can only be understood in full consideration of the world politics of the time.” — Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung

“This is an excellent and engagingly written study of relations between East and West Germany at a pivotal time in the evolution of detente between the superpowers. Sarotte brings to her story original documents that no other scholar has researched, and she analyzes them with great subtlety and sophistication. Her fascinating account should be read by anyone interested in Cold War history.” — A. James McAdams, University of Notre Dame

“With this study of the East German side of Ostpolitik, Sarotte deepens our knowledge and understanding of one of the pivotal episodes of the Cold War. Though many memoirs and histories tell the story from the vantage points of Bonn and Washington, no other book gives an authoritative account of how it looked from East Berlin. Written with both economy and verve, Dealing with the Devil ensures that the 'other Germans' of the period can never again be treated as faceless Soviet puppets.” — Ernest May, Harvard University