The Ambivalent Alliance

The book delves into the complexities of West Germany's postwar recovery under Chancellor Konrad Adenauer, emphasizing his pivotal alliance with the West. It explores the tensions between differing visions of European integration and the Atlantic community, highlighting the internal conflicts between "Atlanticists" and "Gaullists." These ideological struggles not only shaped Adenauer's leadership but also contributed to the challenges faced by his successor, Ludwig Erhard, after Adenauer's retirement in 1963, revealing the intricate dynamics of postwar German politics.