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 about 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]
Reception
Volume I, published in 2007, was well received by academics and collectors. 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 were invaluable for those concerned in knowing more about Stasi history and culture.[7]
Contents
Volume I
Foreword by Ambassador Hugh Montgomery
Chapter 1 Historical overview of the Early Years of East Germany and the MfS
Chapter 2 Outline of the book
Chapter 3 Documents awarded to members of the SfS and MfS during the mid 1950s
Chapter 4 Verdienstmedaille der Grenztruppen der DDR
Chapter 5 Medaille der Waffenbrüderschaft
Chapter 6 Für Treue Dienste in der Nationalen Volksarmee
Chapter 7 Verdienstmedaille der Nationalen Volksarmee
Chapter 8 Medaille für Vorbildlichen Grenzdienst
Chapter 9 Verdienter Mitarbeiter der Staatssicherheit
Chapter 10 Kampforden für Verdienste um Volk und Vaterland
Chapter 11 Vaterländischer Verdienstorden
Chapter 12 Additional DDR award documents presented to MfS personnel
Chapter 13 Foreign presentations to MfS personnel
Chapter 14 MfS Erinnerungsabzeichen
Chapter 15 MfS Langjährige Treue Dienste
Chapter 16 Document covers for MfS presentation documents
Chapter 17 MfS Signatures
Chapter 18 MfS Ausweis
Chapter 19 MfS Medaille
Bibliography
Volume II
Foreword by Ambassador Hugh Montgomery
Chapter 20 DDR and Foreign Award Documents Presented to Members and Organizations of the MfS
