The two authors, the great old man of a KPD historiography beyond GDR-bound myths, Hermann Weber, and the equally renowned Andreas Herbst, have presented a book that not only writes history but will also make history. Readers are invited to provide additions and corrections, which is why this first edition will surely be followed by more. This prophecy from a reviewer in 2004 quickly became reality in every respect. Immediately after its release, relatives of the communist officials biographed here came forward not to complain, but with additional material. Furthermore, research continued. Although the authors and the publisher were aware that a third edition with 1,168 pages would not only overwhelm the art of bookbinding, there was consensus: the project was not canceled.