Seduced by Secrets is an expose of the secret world of one of the most feared spy agencies in history. Revealed, for the first time, are the technical methods and sources of the Stasi (East German Ministry for State Security) as it stole secrets from abroad and spied on its own people. The book draws on classified files from the Stasi archives, including CIA-acquired material, interviews, and court documents to demonstrate that the Stasi overestimated the power of secrets and created an insular spy culture more intent on securing its power than protecting national security. It recreates the Stasi's hidden world of spy technology through biographies of agents, defectors, and officers, and by visualizing James Bond-like techniques and gadgets. In this highly original book, Macrakis adds a new dimension to our understanding of the East German Ministry for State Security in espionage history.
About the AuthorKristie Macrakis is the author or editor of five books including
Surviving the Swastika and
Prisoners, Lovers, and Spies. She received her PhD in the history of science from Harvard University, USA and is also a historian of espionage. She is a professor in the School of History, Technology and Society at Georgia Tech, USA.
ReviewsFor an extensive knowledge of the Stasi you must read
Seduced by Secrets. Macrakis delves deeply in the history, methodology and spymastercraft of 'one of the most effective and feared spy agencies and secret police in the world.' It's an intriguing book that reads like a spy novel--only it's Cold War truth."
--15MinutesMagazine.comBook InformationISBN 9781591141839
Author Kristie MacrakisFormat Paperback
Page Count 392
Imprint Naval Institute PressPublisher Naval Institute Press
Weight(grams) 539g