"This is the ultimate story of spies, what they do and how they really work." "Spies have been documented as far back as the Bible, and although the golden age may have come during the Cold War, what was once seen as a 'necessary evil' is now acknowledged as an essential part of any country's national defence network." "The History of Espionage recounts the full, fascinating story of spies and spying, from the earliest recorded history to today's surveillance society. It is a story of secret agents and undercover activity, of poisoning and subterfuge, of wars won and lost, and how governments around the world spend billions on security and intelligence gathering."--BOOK JACKET.