Drawing from newly declassified files and firsthand research, Kristie Macrakis reveals the surprising technological sophistication of East Germany's feared Stasi. Through detailed case studies and agent biographies, including the intriguing story of Agent Gorbachev, discover how the Stasi wielded cutting-edge surveillance tools and espionage techniques to steal Western military and computer technology. This meticulously researched account challenges conventional views of Cold War espionage, exposing how the Stasi's reliance on advanced spy technology—from radioactive tracking materials to sophisticated surveillance equipment—paradoxically undermined their ultimate effectiveness. Complete with a comprehensive glossary of Stasi terminology, this work provides unprecedented insight into one of history's most notorious intelligence agencies and their hidden technological capabilities.