For the first time in modern history, a regime had to wall itself in to keep from bleeding to death. The masses of refugees that had staked their hopes on the Berlin escape route through the Iron Curtain were cut off from freedom by this wall of death erected by a Soviet puppet and tolerated by the new American president and his administration. The United States had witnessed and permitted, even conspired in, the undoing of those human rights to which it was purportedly committed. Contrary to the inaugural address of the young president, the price was not paid, the burden was not borne, the hardship was not met, the friends were not supported, and the foes were not opposed. As a result the survival and success of liberty was not only not assured; it was destroyed.This book examines the `how’ in an attempt to find out `why.’