Most of the book tells to story of the family in East Berlin, how they lived, worked and feared the brutal regime
The author tells the story of the two tunnels incorporating the diggers, spies, an American TV network that sponsored a tunnel along with the rights to film the work and rescue
The novel touches on several subjects which are important even in today’s world. The division of Berlin, the relationships between the victorious Allied personal who are now trying to align themselves with the political wishes of their leaders as well as the German people and the effects of the Berlin blockade.
One of the most significant outcomes of 1961 was the perceived weakness Khrushchev found in Kennedy, prompted him to place missiles in Cuba & give up Berlin