The Stasi Poetry Circle : The Creative Writing Class that Tried to Win the Cold War by Philip Oltermann 9780571331208

The Stasi Poetry Circle : The Creative Writing Class that Tried to Win the Cold War

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£12.99 GBP
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The Stasi Poetry Circle: The Creative Writing Class that Tried to Win the Cold War by Philip Oltermann is an extraordinary delve into a surreal and little-known chapter of history where art and espionage intertwined within the oppressive confines of the East German regime.

Imagine a secret police so convinced that poetry could undermine their authority that they assembled soldiers and border guards in a heavily fortified military compound to master the craft of writing poetry. This astonishing true story reveals the exhaustive measures the Stasi took in training their own poets as a form of psychological warfare.

Philip Oltermann, an investigative journalist, dedicated five years to uncovering the hidden narratives found within Stasi files, lost poetic volumes, and the surviving members of this clandestine literary group. In The Stasi Poetry Circle, he chronicles the metamorphosis of individuals from spies to poets, powerfully blurring the lines between creativity and surveillance.

  • Engrossing Narrative: Lauded by The Observer as "engrossing," this work captures the reader's imagination.
  • Remarkable Insights: The Times describes it as a "remarkable" historical account, offering profound revelations.
  • Unique Perspective: Explore the fascinating intersection of art and politics with global implications.

Oltermann’s work transcends mere historical recounting; it serves as a profound examination of how culture can be weaponized. This book is essential for anyone intrigued by the complexities of creativity under oppression, making it a must-read for both history buffs and literary enthusiasts.

Product Information

ISBN: 9780571331208
Author: Philip Oltermann
Format: Paperback / softback
Imprint: Faber & Faber
Publisher: Faber & Faber
Dimensions: 129 x 198 x 27 mm
Publication Date: 02 February, 2023
Pagination: 224 pages
Weight: 186g

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Our tagline is ‘Long Live the Hedgerows’ and our symbol a hibernating dormouse. If you want to support an independent with a unique character and which will share stories with you for years to come, then choose Sherlock & Pages. The world needs bookshops with soul, for they are ‘citadels of light.’

Sherlock & Pages is a little bookshop with a big heart. We are based in Frome, Somerset, England and curate lists of books in the areas we are passionate about – landscape, nature, history, and heritage. In short, the conservation of all we’ve inherited and all we are responsible to pass on. We aim to inspire and be inspired, to form a literary culture of care and passion about this precious planet we call home.

This is a shop where you might find something you haven’t seen before, and we like to think we’ve got something for everyone. We choose each of our books with care and for a reason. This is because our physical store is small but beautifully formed, holding only around 1200 titles at any one time. We try and recreate the feel of the shop wherever we are online, to reflect our niche categories and personality.

We have an active social media presence and aim to share our story with all our friends. The long-term goal is to build a hub for the books and writers we believe in. Who knows where our adventure will lead but by supporting Sherlock & Pages you’re helping us to add a further layer of magic to our little corner of the world. If you haven’t visited our physical store, one day you might just make a literary pilgrimage down to Somerset.

Our tagline is ‘Long Live the Hedgerows’ and our symbol a hibernating dormouse. If you want to support an independent with a unique character and which will share stories with you for years to come, then choose Sherlock & Pages. The world needs bookshops with soul, for they are ‘citadels of light.’

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