Western Continental Europe

• DOI: 10.1177/000271625630400169
• Date: 01 March 1956
• Published date: 01 March 1956
• Author: Carl G. Anthon
• Subject Matter: Articles

186
WESTERN CONTINENTAL EUROPE
politic. It is a pity that one misses in this
book certain characteristic features that
EWAN BUTLER. City Divided: Berlin 1955.
make Berlin what it is. There is lacking,
Pp. 187.
New York: Frederick A.
for example, a sufficient emphasis of the
Praeger, 1955. $3.95.
refugee problem which at certain times
Since World War II, and more particu-
threatened to turn the whole city into one
larly since the split of Germany, Berlin has
vast refugee camp. A description of the
become a focal point in world history. The
city’s refugee processing center and one of
Berlin blockade and airlift, the June Re-
its many camps would have been a reward-
volts, and the Berlin Four-Power Confer-
ing contribution. One misses any discus-
ence in 1954 have repeatedly thrust Berlin
sion of such typical anti-Communist or-
to the forefront of the cold war and have
ganizations as the Free Jurists, the Fight-
made it a barometer for measuring the ten-
ing League against Inhumanity, and similar
sion between East and West. And even
groups. One would like to see a discussion
when the city is not rocked by some dra-
of the functions and activities of the Allied
matic crisis it continues to command the
occupation agencies which play a very pon-
attention and concern of the Western pow-
siderable role in a city that is technically
ers because of its prime importance as bul-
still occupied territory. And although the
wark of the free world and as a window
book’s title is Berlin 1955, the historical
through the Iron Curtain. It is indeed
discussion would have justified, nay, re-
this latter function, made possible by the
quired a portrayal of the leader who more
four-power status of the city, situated 100
than any other man embodied the spirit of
miles inside Communist East Germany,
postwar Berlin: the late Ernst Reuter. Un-
that gives Berlin its continuous significance.
fortunately the account is marred by a few
It is not surprising, therefore, that a num-
...