Der Stasi-Mythos

Disenchanted Spies

To this day, the HVA, the department of the East German State Security responsible for espionage in the Federal Republic, is considered one of the best foreign intelligence services of its time. This image is carefully maintained by former employees. It has not been independently verified so far, as almost all relevant documents were destroyed. However, the history of the East-West German intelligence war must now be rewritten. Michael Wala received exclusive, complete, and unrestricted access to the secret archive of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution's counterintelligence. His book reveals for the first time the methods used by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution to identify East German spies and the success they had in doing so. It debunks numerous myths. Wala's book is a must-read not only for those interested in German history but also for intelligence enthusiasts worldwide. It delves into the deepest secrets of the Cold War, and its insights are as relevant today as they were 30 years ago. Shlomo Shpiro, intelligence expert, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan.