This biographical project focuses on two areas of research: the importance of biographies in East German power relations and the role Honecker played in the GDR’s long-term political stability and the government’s sudden downfall. The research is based on Honecker’s memoirs, interviews and official party documents and explores Honecker’s life from 1912 to 1945 and his years as the political leader of the GDR. The first volume was published in 2016. Martin Sabrow: Erich Honecker: Das Leben davor 1912-1945, C.H. Beck Verlag, München 2016, 623 Seiten, 23 Abbildungen, ISBN 978-3-406-69809-5.
The biography continues with Erich Honecker's life and politician years from 1945 to 1994 under the title "Erich Honecker. The mandate of power".