The Cold War provoked the beginning of an “arms race” in the creation and use of one of the most sophisticated and hidden spy tools - special-purpose devices. Microphoto equipment, covert surveillance, walls and objects of household and office equipment that acquire “ears” at the right moment - this is a battlefield on which intelligence services have been fighting no less fiercely for more than 60 years than on the “spy frontline.” Most of the stories told in book, were kept in archives for many years under the heading “Secret”, and today we have a rare opportunity to learn in detail about the most complex and unique intelligence and counterintelligence operations of the KGB, the success or failure of which depended 90% on special-purpose devices. Vladimir Alekseenko more He served for 20 years in the operational and technical units of the foreign intelligence of the KGB of the USSR and took direct part in the operations described. Keith Melton is an American historian and specialist in secret operations, the owner of a unique collection of special equipment (more than 8 thousand items), including those demonstrated in this book.”