The word Oberliga conjures strong memories with East German football fans, sometimes wistful memories of big and turbulent football times in the former GDR. Clubs that are now third- or fourth-rate, played at times at the highest European level, and the emotions lived in the league stadiums no less than in the West German Bundesliga. But the history of East German football also has a second face: the political administration made massive use of "game action" to promote friendly clubs or to dislodge unpleasant athletes. Horn and Baingo describe the sometimes absurd political influences, but focus on the sporting aspects of the league history. Season after season and underpinned by extensive statistical material, they reminisce about the often dramatic events. A long overdue book about a completed, but unforgotten chapter of German football history.