Reading Plamper’s book and writing this review in a time of rising right-wing authoritarian politics—in which migration is weaponized to spread fear, prejudice, and hate—offers an inspiring reaffirmation of our shared humanity. The numerous detailed accounts and personal histories he presents serve as powerful testimonies to a lived reality that cannot be erased or ignored. Diverse backgrounds and religions shape daily lives in Germany, adapting and contributing in countless ways. By shifting the focus to those who actively form German society—despite often being labeled as “the other” or simply “migrants”—Plamper challenges exclusionary narratives. His meticulous documentation of migration stories underscores not only the enduring presence of these communities but also their role in shaping Germany’s future.
This is more like it, historical accounts can deliver political messages and show the way not to better political decision making but a better living together.