Bruni de la Motte, born and raised in East Germany, joins the show to discuss her book "Stasi State or Socialist Paradise?: The German Democratic Republic and What Became of It". The purpose of her book, which she co-authored with John Greene, is to provide a more balanced take on East Germany then what is popularly remembered of this ambitious socialist experiment.   Some of what we cover includes looking at the German left in the lead up to the second World War and their dire predicament under Nazi rule; why East and West Germany were split in the first place; the Berlin Wall; triumphs of their socialist system, Bruni's experiences living there, and valid criticisms of East Germany that eventually led to it's demise.   More info regarding our discussion can be found on the patreon posting of this episode: https://www.patreon.com/posts/70904608