Stasi Decorations and Memorabilia

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Stasi Decorations and Memorabilia

Stasi Decorations and Memorabilia, by Ralph Pickard is a three volume in-depth analysis of the socialist political culture of the Ministry for State Security (Stasi) of the German Democratic Republic (GDR). It provides information into the organization using artifacts such as medals, certificates and other objects to document the Stasi's awards and recognition of its members. [1] [2] Altogether, all three volumes contain over 900 pages with over 1700 illustrations. [3]

Contents

Reception

Volume I, published in 2007, was well received in the academic and collectors community. A review by the Central Intelligence Agency's Studies in Intelligence in September 2008 stated that, "Ralph Pickard has taken a step in the direction of preserving a piece of the East German heraldic record with his new reference work." [4] David Nickles, Ph.D. observed that, "Given the tremendous growth of interest in cultural history during recent years, I hope and expect that historians will appreciate the extent to which a book like this, with its emphasis on decorations and memorabilia, sheds light on the political culture of the German Democratic Republic." [5]

Additionally, the editor of Military Trader stated in his review (March 2008 Volume 15, Issue 3); "Researchers, historians and collectors with an interest in the Cold War or East Germany's security organization will appreciate the data in the book. A large portion of the book provides detailed information on the different award documents and timelines of when these documents were in use."

Volume II, published in early 2012, has been well received by both the East German collecting and academic communities. Colonel (Ret) Friedrich Jeschonnek, a book reviewer for Hardthöhenkurier magazine stated that there is a lot of literature on the STASI that has focused on secret operations and structure. However, there has been very little work that has focused on STASI culture which has been revealed in the photos, certificates and documents that have now been illustrated by both Volume I and II (Issue 3/2012). He further stated, for those who are concerned with the history of the GDR, the inner workings of the Secret Police and Phaleristics of the armed forces, both Volumes I and II are a must. [6]

Hayden Peake, a book reviewer, wrote in the September 2012 Volume 56 issue of Studies in Intelligence that both Volume I and II are invaluable for those concerned in knowing more about STASI history and culture. [7]

Contents

Volume I

Volume II

Volume III

Related Research Articles

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Helene "Elli" Barczatis was a typist-secretary who worked between April 1950 and January 1953 as the head secretary of the East German prime minister, Otto Grotewohl. Convicted of espionage, she and her lover Karl Laurenz were guillotined on 23 November 1955.

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References

  1. ↑ Pickard, Ralph (2007). Stasi decorations and memorabilia: a collector's guide. volume 1. Lorton, Virginia: Frontline Historical Publications. ISBN   978-0-9797199-0-5.
  2. ↑ Pickard, Ralph (2012). Stasi decorations and memorabilia: a collector's guide. volume 2. Lorton, Virginia: Frontline Historical Publications. ISBN   978-0-9797199-2-9.
  3. ↑ stasicollector (2011-11-26). "Stasi Decorations and Memorabilia Volumes I, II and III". Stasi Decorations and Memorabilia Volumes I, II and III. Retrieved 2023-09-21.
  4. ↑ Pickard, Ralph (2018). Stasi decorations and memorabilia: a collector's guide. volume 3. Lorton, Virginia: Frontline Historical Publications. ISBN   978-0-9797199-6-7.
  5. ↑ Peake, Hayden B. (2008). "The Intelligence Officer's Bookshelf". PsycEXTRA Dataset. doi:10.1037/e741192011-008 . Retrieved 2023-09-21.
  6. ↑ Cave, Alfred A. (February 2000). Navarre, Pierre (28 March 1790?–20 March 1874), fur trader and military scout. American National Biography Online. Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/anb/9780198606697.article.2000708.
  7. ↑ Carus, Friedrich August; Jeschonnek, Rolf (1990). Geschichte der Psychologie. doi:10.1007/978-3-642-75620-7. ISBN   978-3-642-75621-4.
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