Pavel Sudoplatov recounts in his memoirs his life and service in the KGB. Sudoplatov took part (first as an agent, then as an organizer) in many special operations during the 1930s and 40s. He directed the assassination of L. Trotsky. He was a member of the group working on the atomic project (gathering intelligence on foreign developments). The book describes many fascinating pages of Russia's history during a difficult period of the twentieth century.