First Class Comrades

The Stasi in the Cold War, 1945-1961

J. Boulter

$59.99

Paperback

Forthcoming
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English

Oldcastle Books Ltd
01 May 2025

European history; 20th century history: c 1900 to c 2000; Espionage & secret services

No country in history has been more deeply penetrated by spies than divided Germany after the Second World War. Among them were the 'first class comrades' of the Stasi

the East German Ministry for State Security. The early Cold War saw the Stasi establish itself as one of the world's most notorious spy and secret police agencies.

Drawing on previously unexamined files from the Stasi archives, First Class Comrades tells the Stasi story from a fresh perspective: how it helped to create a new European state, how its foreign intelligence service became one of the most successful ever, and how its spy-catchers tackled vigorous attempts by the West to infiltrate East Germany

attempts that influenced the decision to build the Berlin Wall.

Full of new insights and little-known facts about the Stasi and Cold War espionage, and featuring newly discovered details of the Stasi's operational methods, First Class Comrades shines a light on this lesser-known period of Stasi history, and why its stories and lessons still matter today.

'Boulter's thorough research provides an excellent reference for understanding how the Stasi began and how it fulfilled its responsibilities'

Kevin Riehle, author of The Russian FSB

'A fascinating deep dive into the murky waters of Cold War espionage and the early days of East Germany's notorious secret police' - Nick Rennison

'An impressive work...

Boulter really widens the perspective on the Stasi'

Dieter Bacher, Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for War Studies

By: J. Boulter
Imprint: Oldcastle Books Ltd
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 153mm,
ISBN: 9780857306098
ISBN 10: 085730609X
Pages: 732
Publication Date: 01 May 2025
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Born in London, J. Boulter has spent many years living and working in continental Europe. Boulter's articles on espionage history and literature have been published in the Journal for Intelligence, Propaganda and Security Studies, the American Intelligence Journal, and Crime Time magazine, among others.

Reviews for First Class Comrades: The Stasi in the Cold War, 1945-1961

Boulter's thorough research provides an excellent reference for understanding how the Stasi began and how it fulfilled its responsibilities -- Kevin Riehle, author of The Russian FSB A fascinating deep dive into the murky waters of Cold War espionage and the early days of East Germany's notorious secret police -- Nick Rennison An impressive work... Boulter really widens the perspective on the Stasi, embedding its activities in the broader context of the Cold War in Europe -- Dieter Bacher, Ludwig Boltzmann Institute and the University of Graz