The Stasi

by David Childs, Richard James Popplewell

The Stasi were among the most successful security and intelligence services in the Cold War. Behind the Berlin Wall, colleagues, friends, husbands and wives, informed on each other. Stasi chief, General Mielke, prided himself on this situation. Under Marcus Wolf, Stasi agents were spectacularly successful in gaining entry into the West German Establishment and NATO. Some remain undiscovered. Now, for the first time in English, two British experts reveal how the Stasi operated. Based on a wealth of sources, including interviews with former Stasi officers and their victims, the book tells a fascinating yet frightening story of unbridled power, misguided idealism, treachery, widespread opportunism and lonely courage.

266 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

David Childs is a Professor Emeritus in Politics at the University of Nottingham. His considerable contribution to the advancement of German studies has helped academics, ambassadors, business leaders, government ministers, the armed services and students develop a greater knowledge of the history and politics of Germany (former East - GDR, & West - FRG).