Communing with the Enemy: Covert Operations, Christianity and Cold War Politics

Description: Communing with the Enemy by Merrilyn Thomas This book examines the secret role of British and German Christians in the Cold War, both as non-governmental envoys and as members of covert intelligence operations. Based on archival sources, including those of the Stasi together with interviews with some of those involved, it demonstrates the way in which religion was used as a tool of psychological warfare. During the 1960s, the concept of Christian-Marxist dialogue was espoused by Church leaders and appropriated by politicians. In the GDR, Ulbricht used Christian-Marxist dialogue to quell opposition to his regime; in the West, politicians encouraged a policy of détente which led to the erosion of communist ideology. As the seeds of Ostpolitik were sown, Christians tunnelled their way beneath the ideological barriers of the Cold War in the name of reconciliation while secretly establishing subversive networks. At the same time, they provided political leaders with a hidden channel of communication across the Iron Curtain. This book examines the 1965 Coventry Cathedral project of reconciliation in Dresden, the work of Paul Oestreicher, and the activities of the German Christian organisation Aktion SÜhnezeichen. In doing so, it reveals the complexity of the Cold War world in which both sides appeared to hold out the hand of friendship while secretly working to eliminate the enemy. FORMAT Paperback LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Author Biography The Author: Merrilyn Thomas received a BA (Hons) in European Studies from the University of East Anglia in 1969 and a Ph.D. in German History from University College London in 2002. She is a Research Fellow in Cold War history at University College London and an occasional teacher of European history at the University of Cambridge. She was an observer of events in the GDR from the 1960s until its demise in 1990 and visited the country on several occasions. She has contributed to volumes on the GDR and Britain. Table of Contents Contents: Coventry Cathedral and Cold War Reconciliation - The Intelligence War - Hans-Joachim Seidowsky - Aktion S Review The searching light that Dr Thomas sheds so effectively on the political and ideological machinations of the mighty in London, Berlin, Coventry, and Dresden reveals much in the background which had previously been obscure. Her skill in interpreting an immense amount of archival material underlies many shrewd judgements of persons and policies. (John Arnold, The Church Times) [Merrilyn Thomas hat] ein wichtiges Buch geschrieben. Es enthält einen weitgehend unbekannten Teil der Geschichte und erinnert daran, was wir den christlichen Kirchen und den Geheimdiensten zu verdanken haben. (Egon Bahr) Review Text The searching light that Dr Thomas sheds so effectively on the political and ideological machinations of the mighty in London, Berlin, Coventry, and Dresden reveals much in the background which had previously been obscure. Her skill in interpreting an immense amount of archival material underlies many shrewd judgements of persons and policies. (John Arnold, The Church Times) [Merrilyn Thomas hat] ein wichtiges Buch geschrieben. Es enthaelt einen weitgehend unbekannten Teil der Geschichte und erinnert daran, was wir den christlichen Kirchen und den Geheimdiensten zu verdanken haben. (Egon Bahr) Review Quote The searching light that Dr Thomas sheds so effectively on the political and ideological machinations of the mighty in London, Berlin, Coventry, and Dresden reveals much in the background which had previously been obscure. Her skill in interpreting an immense amount of archival material underlies many shrewd judgements of persons and policies. (John Arnold, The Church Times) [Merrilyn Thomas hat] ein wichtiges Buch geschrieben. Es enthlt einen weitgehend unbekannten Teil der Geschichte und erinnert daran, was wir den christlichen Kirchen und den Geheimdiensten zu verdanken haben. (Egon Bahr) Details ISBN3039101927 Author Merrilyn Thomas Pages 293 Publisher Verlag Peter Lang ISBN-10 3039101927 ISBN-13 9783039101924 Format Paperback Imprint Verlag Peter Lang Subtitle Covert Operations, Christianity and Cold War Politics in Britain and the GDR Country of Publication Switzerland DEWEY 327.1241043109045 Place of Publication Pieterlen Short Title COMMUNING W/THE ENEMY Language English Media Book Birth 1946 Year 2004 Publication Date 2004-12-15 DOI 10.1604/9783039101924 UK Release Date 2004-12-15 Audience General We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! TheNile_Item_ID:135243640;

Price: 119.06 AUD

Location: Melbourne

End Time: 2024-12-07T09:11:24.000Z

Shipping Cost: 9.79 AUD