Picnic
An Escape to Freedom and the Collapse of the Iron Curtain
By Matthew Longo | Publisher: Vintage Publishing
About the book
*WINNER OF THE ORWELL PRIZE FOR POLITICAL WRITING 2024*
A gripping reconstruction of the daring escape to freedom of hundreds of East Germans in the summer of 1989 and how it led to the fall of the Berlin Wall.
'A pivotal – and exhilarating – moment in 20th century history. . . gripping' Observer
'Intensely moving' Sunday Times
'Engrossing and dramatic' William Boyd, New Statesman
In August 1989, a group of Hungarian activists did the unthinkable: they entered the forbidden militarised zone of the Iron Curtain - and held a picnic. On wisps of rumour, thousands of East German 'holiday-makers' had made their way to the border, surveilled by lurking Stasi agents. The stage was set for the greatest border breach in Cold War history. The fall of the Berlin Wall, the end of the Soviet Union - the so-called end of history - all would flow from what happened next. Drawing on dozens of original interviews with those involved, Matthew Longo reconstructs this world-shaping event and its tumultuous aftermath.
'Evoke[s] the dramatic events in vivid colour . . . fascinating' Katja Hoyer, Telegraph *****
‘Captivating . . . a vivid, fast-paced narrative’ New York Times
*SHORTLISTED FOR THE HISTORICAL WRITERS ASSOCIATION NON-FICTION CROWN
*A GUARDIAN BIGGEST FICTION AND NON-FICTION FOR 2024
*A WATERSTONES 'BOOK YOU NEED TO READ IN 2024'
*A FOYLES TOP TEN READ FOR JANUARY 2024
* A TORTOISE MEDIA BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024
Editions of Picnic
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9781847927798
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781847927804
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781529920987
- EBook
- ISBN 9781529920994
- AudioStreaming
- ISBN 9781529932119
Read an Excerpt
*WINNER OF THE ORWELL PRIZE FOR POLITICAL WRITING 2024*
A gripping reconstruction of the daring escape to freedom of hundreds of East Germans in the summer of 1989 and how it led to the fall of the Berlin Wall.
'A pivotal – and exhilarating – moment in 20th century history. . . gripping' Observer
'Intensely moving' Sunday Times
'Engrossing and dramatic' William Boyd, New Statesman
In August 1989, a group of Hungarian activists did the unthinkable: they entered the forbidden militarised zone of the Iron Curtain - and held a picnic. On wisps of rumour, thousands of East German 'holiday-makers' had made their way to the border, surveilled by lurking Stasi agents. The stage was set for the greatest border breach in Cold War history. The fall of the Berlin Wall, the end of the Soviet Union - the so-called end of history - all would flow from what happened next. Drawing on dozens of original interviews with those involved, Matthew Longo reconstructs this world-shaping event and its tumultuous aftermath.
'Evoke[s] the dramatic events in vivid colour . . . fascinating' Katja Hoyer, Telegraph *****
‘Captivating . . . a vivid, fast-paced narrative’ New York Times
*SHORTLISTED FOR THE HISTORICAL WRITERS ASSOCIATION NON-FICTION CROWN
*A GUARDIAN BIGGEST FICTION AND NON-FICTION FOR 2024
*A WATERSTONES 'BOOK YOU NEED TO READ IN 2024'
*A FOYLES TOP TEN READ FOR JANUARY 2024
* A TORTOISE MEDIA BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Picnic about?
*WINNER OF THE ORWELL PRIZE FOR POLITICAL WRITING 2024*
A gripping reconstruction of the daring escape to freedom of hundreds of East Germans in the summer of 1989 and how it led to the fall of the Berlin Wall.
'A pivotal – and exhilarating – moment in 20th century history. . . gripping' Observer
'Intensely moving' Sunday Times
'Engrossing and dramatic' William Boyd, New Statesman
In August 1989, a group of Hungarian activists did the unthinkable: they entered the forbidden militarised zone of the Iron Curtain - and held a picnic. On wisps of rumour, thousands of East German 'holiday-makers' had made their way to the border, surveilled by lurking Stasi agents. The stage was set for the greatest border breach in Cold War history. The fall of the Berlin Wall, the end of the Soviet Union - the so-called end of history - all would flow from what happened next. Drawing on dozens of original interviews with those involved, Matthew Longo reconstructs this world-shaping event and its tumultuous aftermath.
'Evoke[s] the dramatic events in vivid colour . . . fascinating' Katja Hoyer, Telegraph *****
‘Captivating . . . a vivid, fast-paced narrative’ New York Times
*SHORTLISTED FOR THE HISTORICAL WRITERS ASSOCIATION NON-FICTION CROWN
*A GUARDIAN BIGGEST FICTION AND NON-FICTION FOR 2024
*A WATERSTONES 'BOOK YOU NEED TO READ IN 2024'
*A FOYLES TOP TEN READ FOR JANUARY 2024
* A TORTOISE MEDIA BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Picnic?
History and Archaeology > History > History: specific events and topics > Cold wars and proxy conflicts
Where can I read a sample of Picnic?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781847927798
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Picnic?
Matthew Longo
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Picnic is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781847927798) and paperback(ISBN 9781847927804) and paperback(ISBN 9781529920987) and ebook(ISBN 9781529920994) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9781529932119)
Where can I buy Picnic online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Picnic from below