In Cryptic Concrete, the latest title to be published in the RGS-IBG book series, Dr Ian Klinke takes us on a subterranean journey into Cold War West Germany to understand how this historical era relates to the contemporary world.
Editor of the RGS-IBG book series Dr David Featherstone said: “The RGS-IBG book series seeks to promote scholarly publications that leave an intellectual mark and change the way readers think about particular issues, methods or theories.”
Cryptic Concrete is the culmination of over nine years of research into German geopolitics and the Cold War. By exploring bunkered sites in West Germany, Ian sheds light on the inner workings of the Cold War state, focusing on two structures in particular: the nuclear bunker and the atomic missile site.
As Ian outlines: “The book makes the case that West German military strategists, engineers, civil defence planners and politicians were animated by a vision of living space that was no longer territorial but rather subterranean in nature.”
Beginning with his childhood discovery of a bunker in the book’s introduction to a visit to the small village of Büchel, where the remains of Germany’s nuclear biopolitics still exist today, Ian argues that a reassessment of the history of geo- and biopolitics is crucial. And in the final chapters, he describes how the “historical absurdity” of Cold War Germany can help to inform our contemporary world.
Cryptic Concrete is available to buy on the Wiley website.
Society members receive up to a 35% discount on titles in the RGS-IBG book series when ordering through Wiley. Log in to the members area to access the 35% discount code and simply enter at the checkout on the Wiley website.