‘A thrilling and essential social history that details the rebellious youth movement that helped change the world’ Rolling Stone’Wildly entertaining’ VogueAs these kids began to form bands, they also became more visible, and security forces – including the dreaded secret police, the Stasi – targeted them. They were spied on by friends and family; they were expelled from schools and fired from jobs; they were beaten by police and imprisoned. But instead of conforming, the punks fought back, playing an indispensable role in the underground movement that helped bring down the Berlin Wall.Rollicking, cinematic and thrillingly topical, this secret history brings to life the young men and women who successfully fought authoritarianism three chords at a time. Burning Down the Haus is a fiery testament to the irrepressible spirit of revolution.