This book is the result of many people’s work on three strands of a single project—Germany: Memories of a Nation. The first was conceived as a temporary exhibition, to be presented at the British Museum between 16 October 2014–25 January 2015. Sponsored by Betsy and Jack Ryan, and supported by the Salomon Oppenheimer Philanthropic Foundation, the exhibition set out to look at Germany’s challenging history from the standpoint of the new Germany created after the fall of the Berlin Wall. Different aspects of that history were explored in the second strand, a radio series—collaboratively developed by the British Museum and BBC Radio 4. The third strand is this book.
At the British Museum, Rosalind Winton, supported by Joanna Hammond and Sam Stewart, nurtured series and book in every stage of their development, while Max Easterman and Christopher Bond shaped the programme scripts with their gifted writing skills. My sincerest thanks are extended to Clarissa von Spee and Sabrina Ben Aouicha for bringing curatorial knowledge and expertise to the exhibition (overseen by Carolyn Marsden Smith and Alasdair Hood), and to the other parts of the enterprise. My greatest debt goes to Barrie Cook, my principal interlocutor, curator of the exhibition, who with apparently limitless knowledge has provided guidance, encouragement and, especially valuably, restraint, at every stage of the project.
Jane Ellison, Commissioning Editor of BBC Radio 4 and Joanna Mackle, Deputy Director of the British Museum, have guided their respective teams over three years to bring Germany: Memories of a Nation into being. Without their energetic clarity neither the programmes, with their accompanying website, nor this book would have been achieved.
At the BBC Tony Hall, the Director General and Gwyneth Williams, Controller of Radio 4, gave their blessing and encouragement to this happy partnership between two public-service organizations. In the Documentaries Unit, BBC Radio and Music, Paul Kobrak, master of sound, travelled extensively with me in Germany, and produced programmes which his rigorous curiosity did much to shape. John Goudie throughout guided us with invaluable editorial sense, and indispensable support was provided by Clare Walker, Anne Smith and Sue Fleming. The programmes were supported by a BBC website, for which I extend my thanks to Rhian Roberts and Greg Smith, as well as the Head of Web at the British Museum, Matthew Cock.
This book owes its existence to the indefatigable professionalism and patience of Stuart Proffitt, Publishing Director of Penguin, whose boundless intellectual energy helped transform scripts into book chapters. My warm thanks also go to the Penguin team—Marian Aird, Andrew Barker, Chloe Campbell, Donald Futers, Mark Handsley, Rebecca Lee, Cecilia Mackay, Rita Matos, Michael Page and Kit Shepherd—who enabled the book to be published to mark the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.
My final thanks go to all the expert contributors who feature both in this book and the radio series that accompanied it—their knowledge guided our research and shaped the project’s structure. As well as contributing to one of the programmes, Professor Bernhard Rieger made valuable comments on the later chapters of the book. Finally, Dr. Detlef Felken of CH Beck, the German publisher of this book, has throughout put his knowledge of German history at our disposal, making many creative suggestions and saving us from errors. Those that remain are mine.
To all those involved in the creation and development of Germany: Memories of a Nation in each of its manifestations, I extend my warmest thanks.
—NEIL MACGREGOR Director, The British Museum October 2014