Reviews
On a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 meaning "poor" and 5 meaning "excellent," please evaluate the following:
Structure and organization: 5
Grammar: 4
Cover Design: 3
What did you like best about this book?
Great care went into organizing, identifying and describing the collection and researching this period of history, which not many people know about. The details the author provided in the beginning of the book were certainly new to me and offered in such a way that I didn't feel like I was reading a high school history book. The photos are crisp and clear, and the accompanying text marks to clarify, for example, parts of documents are professionally presented. Though I'm not familiar with the period in Germany's history from which the collection originated, as a collector of antiques and other items, I truly admire the author's efforts and am inspired to take on a similar projects.
How can the author improve this book?
The cover was a bit odd. There are so many photos of memorabilia throughout the book that I don't think resorting to using photograph where faces has to be blurred out was the wisest choice for cover art. A collage of medals, certificates and badges would have been much nicer. (The back cover is much better than the front.)
Writer's Digest
16th Annual International Self-Published Book Awards
Commentary Sheet – December 2008
Author: Ralph Pickard
Title: Stasi Decorations and Memorabilia
Category: Reference Books
Judge: 58
Heraldry has been described as "the shorthand of history" and "the floral border in the garden of history."[20] Although the term originally applied to military and familial coats of arms and related badges, the communist nations created a new form of heraldry, substituting political and industrial insignia for military symbols in badges and awards. Since the communist forms of heraldry cannot be found in standard reference works on the subject—though the topic has received new attention with the fall of communism—Ralph Pickard has taken a step in the direction of preserving a piece of the East German heraldic record with his new reference work, Stasi Decorations and Memorabilia. All the items in the book are in his private collection. As Ambassador Hugh Montgomery notes in his foreword to the book, Soviet heraldic influence prevailed and the Stasi "abandoned all efforts to retain any ties to German historical precedent."
After a short historical overview of the Stasi organization, the book contains high quality color photographs of most of the medals, awards, and commemorative coins—even document covers—issued by the Stasi. Detailed specifications are indicated for each item so one may in verify authenticity. An unusual aspect of Stasi heraldry are the coins honoring former spies and espionage networks even when the officers involved included Soviet agents. The Rote Kapelle network is an example; native German, but GRU agent, Richard Sorge and his radioman Max Clausen are another (238-44).
The non-German reader will need a dictionary because the German terms on the items are not translated. Likewise, the table of contents is in German. Future editions of the book would do well to include translations.
Overall, this is a valuable and impressive reference work.
Hayden B. Peake, The Intelligence Officer's Bookshelf
Center for the Study of Intelligence - Publication
Studies in Intelligence – Review
September 2008 Volume 52, Number 3
Page 52
Author Ralph Pickard has tackled a topic that recently emerged as a vibrant collecting market – medals and awards of one of the major, former Eastern Bloc nations. Following the end of the Cold War, East Germany militaria flooded the market. However, very little was available to guide the military collectors in making astute decisions – that is, until now (at least as far as medals are concerned).
STASI Decorations and Memorabilia delves into the awards issued by the East German Ministry for State Security, ("MfS" but better known as the "STASI"). The Stasi was a central player in maintaining police control and led intelligence activities for East Germany. STASI provides a new and unique chapter of written and photographic history related to the organization and items that were presented or awarded to its members throughout the Cold War.
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. This might put off a few traditional medal collectors who just want to see the obverse and reverse of the medals. The author has provided a valuable first step towards understanding the awards and the people who received them.
John Adams-Graf, Military Trader Editor
Military Trader Magazine - Review
March 2008 Volume 15, Issue 3
Page 10 - Books in Brief section
This book, from front cover to back cover is a masterful compilation of eye popping data not before disclosed to the general public, nor collectors interested in this particular subject. Collector's in general will be delighted to find that because much of the awards and documents awarded the Stasi, are similar to their NVA and MdI counterpart, much of the material transcends to these two other DDR military organizations. The collector therefore will find much of the material useful for collecting awards and decorations pursuant not to just the Stasi, but also the NVA and MdI. That is for sure welcome news and especially the detail in which the book goes with respect to the specifics of the medals and the award documents is very deep.
This book is absolutely a treasure trove of information about the Stasi from inception of its organization to its demise in 1989. It is unlike any book heretofore published about any aspect of East Germany or its military organizations. Just like the Stasi, the book is in and of itself, unique. It is historical, and then so much more. It goes into depth with respect to the awards and decorations awarded members of the Stasi, beyond anything comprehensible. I am in awe at the knowledge base Ralph has acquired and amassed with respect to this subject matter, about which the book reveals he truly is an expert.
Upon acquiring a copy, one needs to scrutinize the photos in the book very carefully. There are many surprises and it readily becomes apparent that the Stasi was like no other military organization of the DDR, and members of its organization wore their awards differently from that of the other military organizations. This is but one small hint at the voluminous information that is captured in this wonderfully constructed, detailed and informative book. There are versions of some medals heretofore not seen by members of the collecting community, myself included. And I count myself as having an extensive collection of DDR medals.
If one has been hesitant to collect medals and certificates, because they are costly and there are many fakes and counterfeits on the market, this book will go a long way to alleviating those collecting fears. The detail in which the author (Ralph) has gone to expose the real from the fake is painstakingly voluminous. It will make even the most jaded novice an expert.
Not inclusive of the Contents page, Acknowledgments, Foreword, Introduction, Index and Bibliography, the book is 246 pages long. This book is large and the pictures, of which many are in color, are crisp and clear, as are examples that are included. The book is intelligently laid out and follows a clear and concise order that makes it easy to read and to also single out and go directly to specific subject matter, should the reader be so inclined.
The Foreword, written by Ambassador Hugh Montgomery is brilliantly done. It sets the tone for the entire book and what is to follow. It goes a great deal toward placing the reader into the Cold War setting as it was when the awards and decorations about which the book addresses, and its organization - The Stasi - were active. If you like your table fare set with intangibles associated to the Cold War Spy arena, then this book will satisfy even the hungriest avid connoisseurs.
Bon Appetite
Michael Gallagher
This book is in a class all by itself in more ways than one. The author, a good friend of ours, has been untiring over the past 15 years or so in collecting and identifying STASI artifacts. The payoff for all of us is this groundbreaking book on STASI medals, award certificates other documents, ID booklets and more. The book is profusely illustrated, mostly in color, with descriptions (including precise measurements) destined to make it a godsend to future collectors. There is nothing like the book on either side of the Atlantic. We salute Ralph for his dedication, and for giving East German collecting such a welcome mega-leap.
Gowen Militaria
Although I am not myself a collector of STASI material, I greatly enjoyed this book. I can only imagine that anyone who collects STASI artifacts will find it invaluable. Mr. Pickard demonstrates a thorough knowledge of the memorabilia, and the book is well-designed and has excellent production value. 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.
David Nickles, Ph.D.
STASI Decoration and Memorabilia - A Collector's Guide (Ralph Pickard) Frontline Historical Publishing. Festeinband 248 S. Large format, ca 400 meist farbige Abbildungen; in englischer Sprache, mit vielen Abb. von Originalurkunden in deutscher Sprache.
Wie erkennt man, daß ein vermeintlich unverfängliches NVA-Dokument mit dem STASI zu tun hatte? Wie läßt sich Erich Mielkes Originalunterschrift von einer faksimilierten unterscheiden (die wohlgemerkt auch "echt DDR" war)? Wie sah ein Dienstausweis des geheimnisumwitterten "Ministeriums für Staatssicherheit" im original aus? Gab es beim STASI auch Blank-waffen? Diese und viele andere Fragen beantwortet der vorliegende Band.
Der ehemalige DDR-Geheimdienst ist noch heute von einer Dunstglocke des Schweigens umgeben. So kann es kaum verwundern, daß auch die Fachliteratur uber STASI-Auszeichnungen und Ehrenzeichen recht spärlich ist - besonders, was detailreiche Gesamtdarstellungen angeht. Dem will - und kann! - dieser Band abhelfen. Er geht das umfangreiche Thema auf ungewohnte Weise an: Vom Gesichts-punkt der Dokumente, denen dann die jeweiligen Realstücke zugeordnet werden. Eine Fülle verschiedenster Medaillen und ihrer Varianten werden samt Ordensband (falls existent) stets avers und teils auch revers Farbe abgebildet und samt Urkunde (diese vor allem) ausführlich erläutert.
Solcherart werden behandelt: * Verdienstmedaille der Grenztruppen der DDR; * " Für treue Dienste in der NVA"; * Verdienstmedaille der NVA; * Medaille für vorbildlichen Grenzdienst; * Kampforden für Verdienstorden; and nochvieles mehr (s. unten!).
Die umfangreiche Darstellung beginnt bereits erstaunlich früh - mit den OEZ und Verleihungsurkunden für MfS-Angehörige seit Mitte der 50er Jahre: gerade über diese frühen Stücke war bisher nur sehr wenig bekannt. Zeitlich "am anderen Ende" finden sich aber auch solche Dokumente wie der Passierschein für eine Bezirksverwaltung (sprich: Bezirks-Hauptquartier) des MfS von 1991 - übrigens mit dem interessanten Hinweis "Nur gültig mit Quartals-stempel": Der STASI traute wohl selbst den eigenen Leuten nur "auf Abruf"...
Phaleristisch reicht das Spektrum von eigentlichen Auszeichnungen und Ehrenzeichen bis hin zu bloßen Erinnerungsstücken für sound solange treue Dienste, von der landläufigen Medaille am Bande über Denkmünzen und Schildformen bis zu den sehr seltenen Blankwaffen: Auch der STASI kannte Ehrendolche! Solche Beistücke wie amtliche Dokumentenmappen werden ebenfalls in vielen Varianten in Farbe gezeigt. Gezeigt werden aber auch ausländische OEZ, die an STASI-Angehörige verliehen wurden, oder solche Raritäten wie ehrenhalber vergebene Sparguthaben (5000, -DM Ost für treue Dienste...) oder Passierscheine für Hochsicherheitsbereiche: Wer eine "Berechtigungskarte" für das "Zentrale Chiffrierorgan" vorweisen konnte, gehörte mit Sicherheit zum innersten Kreis des STASI...! Interessant auch das Zeitkolorit der MfS-Kurierausweise, mit Aufschrift in Deutsch und... Russisch.
Kleine Anmerkung zum Schluß: Die Präzision dieser Darstellung reicht bis zu millimetergenauen Größenangaben für Texteile und einzelne Schlüsselworte in den Dokumenten: Exakter geht's nicht mehr! - oe
International Militaria-Magazine (IMM)
April/May 2009 – Nr. 138
Page 4
