About the book: 2006 / The book is dedicated to the emergence in Russia of special services - hidden mechanisms for ensuring state power. The narrative begins with the times of the oprichnina and continues with a description of the Secret Order of Alexei Mikhailovich, the Secret the offices of Peter I and Catherine II, the Secret Expedition of Paul I and the Special Office of Alexander I. The author talks about the bright and controversial figures who formed and led them - Ivan the Terrible, Peter Tolstoy, the insidious post-intelligence officer Bestuzhev.