In this Narrative, John Koehler details the widespread activities of East Germany's Ministry for State Security, or "Stasi." The Stasi, which spread its tentacles like a giant octopus over East German society to repress political opposition and cause the imprisonment of hundreds of thousands of citizens, has proved to have been one of the most powerful secret police and espionage services in the world.

Koehler methodically reviews the Stasi's activities within East Germany and overseas, including its programs for internal repression, international espionage, terrorism and terrorist training, art theft, and special operations in Latin America and Africa.