The Secret History Of Stasi Spy Cameras

This lavishly illustrated and authoritative book presents the secret history of Stasi and Warsaw Pact subminiature spy cameras used during the Cold War. It is a history that could only have been written through the collaboration of veteran Stasi technical intelligence officers and the world's foremost historians on Cold War spy cameras and tradecraft. With more than 450 photographs, the book reveals the history, development, and operational use of more than 70 secret cameras as used by one of the world's most formidable intelligence services--East German Stasi, or MfS--for secretly copying documents, and for surveillance and compromise. Every major camera system used by the Stasi is covered. A bonus at the end of the book is an exhaustive glossary of Stasi and Warsaw Pact photographic systems and optical devices. This book is a must-have for camera collectors, military enthusiasts, historians, and counterintelligence officers.

This lavishly photographed and authoritative book presents the secret history of Soviet subminiature spy cameras during the Cold War. It is a history that could only have been written by the veteran KGB technical intelligence officers who created and used the cameras in secret operations. With 350 photographs, the book reveals the history, development, and operational use of more than ninety secret cameras used by two of the world's most formidable intelligence services--the KGB (Komitet Gosudarstvennoy Bezopasnosti [Committee for State Security]) and GRU (Glavnoye Razvedyvatel'noye Upravleniye [Foreign Military Intelligence Agency of the Soviet Army])--for secretly copying documents, and for surveillance and compromise. Every major camera system used by the KGB, and several used by the GRU are included. A bonus at the end of the book is an exhaustive glossary on KGB and GRU photographic systems and optical devices. This book is a must-have for camera collectors, military enthusiasts, historians, and counterintelligence officers.

More fascinating than fiction, Seduced by Secrets takes the reader inside the real world of one of the most effective and feared spy agencies in history. The book reveals, for the first time, the secret technical methods and sources of the Stasi (East German Ministry for State Security) as it stole secrets from abroad and developed gadgets at home, employing universal, highly guarded techniques often used by other spy and security agencies. Seduced by Secrets draws on secret files from the Stasi archives, including CIA-acquired material, interviews and friendships, court documents, and unusual visits to spy sites, including "breaking into" a prison, to demonstrate that the Stasi overestimated the power of secrets to solve problems and created an insular spy culture more intent on securing its power than protecting national security. It recreates the Stasi's secret world of technology through biographies of agents, defectors, and officers and by visualizing James Bond-like techniques and gadgets. In this highly original book, Kristie Macrakis adds a new dimension to our understanding of the East German Ministry for State Security by bringing the topic into the realm of espionage history and exiting the political domain.

A well-balanced and detailed look at the East German Ministry for State Security, the secret police force more commonly known as the Stasi. “This is an excellent book, full of careful, balanced judgements and a wealth of concisely-communicated knowledge. It is also well written. Indeed, it is the best book yet published on the MfS.”—German History The Stasi stood for Stalinist oppression and all-encompassing surveillance. The “shield and sword of the party,” it secured the rule of the Communist Party for more than forty years, and by the 1980s it had become the largest secret-police apparatus in the world, per capita. Jens Gieseke tells the story of the Stasi, a feared secret-police force and a highly professional intelligence service. He inquires into the mechanisms of dictatorship and the day-to-day effects of surveillance and suspicion. Masterful and thorough at once, he takes the reader through this dark chapter of German postwar history, supplying key information on perpetrators, informers, and victims. In an assessment of post-communist memory politics, he critically discusses the consequences of opening the files and the outcomes of the Stasi debate in reunified Germany. A major guide for research on communist secret-police forces, this book is considered the standard reference work on the Stasi.

Washington, DC, stands at the epicenter of world espionage. Mapping this history from the halls of government to tranquil suburban neighborhoods reveals scoresof dead drops, covert meeting places, and secret facilities—a constellation ofclandestine sites unknown to even the most avid history buffs. Until now. Spy Sites of Washington, DC traces more than two centuries of secret history from the Mount Vernon study of spymaster George Washington to the Cleveland Park apartment of the “Queen of Cuba.” In 220 main entries as well as listings for dozens more spy sites, intelligence historians Robert Wallace and H. Keith Melton weave incredible true stories of derring-do and double-crosses that put even the best spy fiction to shame. Maps and more than three hundred photos allow readers to follow in the winding footsteps of moles and sleuths, trace the covert operations that influenced wars hot and cold, and understand the tradecraft traitors and spies alike used in the do-or-die chess games that have changed the course of history. Informing and entertaining, Spy Sites of Washington, DC is the comprehensive guidebook to the shadow history of our nation’s capital.

This unique book provides an accessible introduction to both the scientific background and the key people involved in the discovery and use of radiation and radioactivity. It begins by providing a short history of radiation exposures and radiation poisoning; from the early inappropriate use of X-rays and radium cures through the misadventures of the Manhattan Project and the Chernobyl disaster, to the high-profile and deliberate poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko in London with polonium-210, which gave rise to worldwide media attention. The chapters provide a catalogue of deliberate criminal acts, unfortunate accidents, and inadvertent radiation exposures, exploring well-known events in detail, as well as some not so well-known occurrences. It works through the topics by focusing on human stories and events and their biological impact. In addition, it covers descriptions of the beneficial uses of radiation and radioactivity. This book can be enjoyed by any reader with a general interest in science, as well as by students and professionals within the scientific and medical communities. Key features Authored by a subject area specialist who has worked in both clinical practice and academia and was involved with the national media following incidents of national and international importance Provides a unique human perspective into well-known and some lesser known events and a concise history of the discovery of radiation and the events that followed Adds scientific and medical background to a subject of high media interest

Discover the dark secrets and untold stories of the Gestapo, KGB, Stasi, and Securitate with our captivating book bundle, "Secret Police Exposed." Dive deep into the shadows of these clandestine organizations as we uncover their methods, motives, and the immense power they wielded over the lives of millions. Book 1: "The Gestapo Files: Inside Hitler's Secret Police" takes you on a chilling journey through Nazi Germany. Explore the origins and rise of the Gestapo, delve into its insidious methods of surveillance and control, and gain insights into its brutal interrogations and tactics of terror. With gripping accounts and meticulously researched details, this book offers an unfiltered look at one of history's most feared secret police forces. Book 2: "The KGB Chronicles: Espionage and Intrigue in the Soviet Union" unveils the enigmatic world of the KGB during the height of the Cold War. Immerse yourself in the realm of spies, double agents, and covert operations as we reveal the inner workings of this formidable intelligence agency. Unearth the secrets of its extensive espionage network, its influence on global politics, and the high-stakes game of deception played out on the world stage. Book 3: "The Stasi Enigma: Unveiling East Germany's Secret Police State" offers a gripping exploration of the Stasi's reign of terror in East Germany. Step behind the Iron Curtain and uncover the Stasi's pervasive surveillance apparatus, its network of informants, and its ruthless suppression of dissent. Through personal stories and historical analysis, this book sheds light on the profound impact the Stasi had on every aspect of East German society. Book 4: "Securitate Unmasked: The Dark Secrets of Romania's Secret Police" delves into the oppressive regime of Ceausescu's Romania and the chilling activities of the Securitate. Discover the extent of their surveillance, their methods of interrogation, and the web of fear and betrayal they wove throughout the nation. Unveil the stories of those who resisted the regime and the heavy toll they paid for their defiance. "Secret Police Exposed" is a comprehensive collection that offers a gripping exploration of the rise and fall of these secret police forces. Each book provides a unique perspective on the motives, tactics, and lasting impact of these institutions, leaving no stone unturned in our quest for truth and understanding. Whether you are a history enthusiast, a lover of true crime, or simply curious about the darker chapters of human history, this book bundle is a must-read. Immerse yourself in the gripping narratives, delve into the meticulous research, and gain a deeper understanding of the power dynamics, manipulation, and human resilience that shaped these secret police forces. Don't miss the opportunity to uncover the hidden truths behind the Gestapo, KGB, Stasi, and Securitate. "Secret Police Exposed" is your gateway to a world of intrigue, fear, and the indomitable spirit of those who resisted. Grab your copy today and embark on a captivating journey into the depths of these secretive organizations.