"The story of [this book] is as up-to-the-minute as a radio broadcast. It is as pertinent and timely as commentator's between-the-rounds summary at a prize fight. It is a blow-by-blow account of round one in Berlin. The second round was in Moscow in April, 1947; the third -- as this is written -- will be in London in November. The issues that were fought to a draw in Berlin are the same that wrecked the Moscow conference and are likely to be first on the agenda in London -- namely, the economic unity of Germany and the Russian demand for reparations from current production"--Jacket.

The physical setting : Berlin -- The functional setting : OMGUS in motion -- American planning for reparations -- Policy development : Yalta to Potsdam -- Military government : machinery and personalities -- The task after Potsdam -- The Hoover report -- The Level of Industry Committee -- Negotiations continue -- The Steel decision -- Four plans for reparation -- Further negotiations -- Completion of the final reparation plans -- Later developments.