Berliner Zeitreise

The author Manfred Reschke was born in 1939 in Berlin and still lives in this city today. He survived World War II in a dramatic way and recalls the times of hardship as well as the politically turbulent years as a West Berliner during the era of the division of Berlin by the Allies. Immediately after the fall of the Wall, he explored the state of Brandenburg as an experienced hiker so thoroughly that his 66-lake hike became a hiking trail.

Building on this, he supported the development of hiking tourism. The then Prime Minister of Brandenburg, Matthias Platzeck, personally honored him as a volunteer. In 2002, he received the Federal Cross of Merit from the then Federal President Johannes Rau for his contributions to the welfare of the state. He wrote several hiking books, all published by Trescher Verlag.

During his 15 years of volunteer work in the state of Brandenburg, he met many people with a GDR background who had lived adjusted lives in their country, were not active decision-makers, and did not have to face personal disadvantages or political repression. The intense conversations with them, his own experiences, and the reading of many sources enabled the author to write a time travel narrative that presents the general life on both sides of the city.

The second part describes his life in Berlin with his wife, who comes from the old Weddinger neighborhood. Thus, the lives of real Berliners during the described 80 years in this city are exemplarily told.