Publications
Books That Uncover Hidden Histories
Rocking the Wall — Bruce Springsteen: The Berlin Concert That Changed the World
2013
“Rocking the Wall” explores the epic Bruce Springsteen concert in East Berlin on July 19, 1988, and how it changed the world. Erik Kirschbaum spoke to scores of fans and concert organizers on both sides of the Berlin Wall, including Jon Landau, Springsteen’s long-time friend and manager, to unearth this fascinating story with behind-the-scenes details from eyewitness accounts, TV recordings, and even Stasi files.
This gripping book transports you back to those heady times shortly before the Berlin Wall fell and takes you on an unforgettable journey to the open-air concert grounds in Weissensee, where The Boss delivered a courageous speech against the Wall to more than 300,000 delirious young East Germans full of joy and hope.
Burning Beethoven — The Eradication of German Culture in the United States During World War I
2015
This illuminating exposé on a dark chapter of American history tells how the flourishing German culture in the United States was wiped out by a fury of anti-German hysteria during World War I. Germans, once America’s biggest, proudest, and most successful ethnic group were targets of hate, persecution, and even lynchings and vigilante hangings.
German cooks were burned, newspapers were closed, and sauerkraut was renamed “liberty cabbage” — the “freedom fries” of modern times.
Soccer Without Borders — Jürgen Klinsmann, Coaching the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team and the Quest for the World Cup
2015
An in-depth look at Jürgen Klinsmann’s journey coaching the United States Men’s National Soccer Team and the ambitious quest to make the U.S. a competitive force in international football. Kirschbaum examines the cultural challenges, tactical innovations, and the remarkable story of a German coach who tried to transform American soccer from the inside out.
Swim, Bike and Run: Triathlon — The Sporting Trinity
1985
An early guide to the then-emerging sport of triathlon, exploring the three disciplines — swimming, cycling, and running — that make up this demanding “sporting trinity.” The book offers insights into training, endurance, and the growing culture around one of the most challenging tests of athletic all-round ability.