Throughout history, secret services have been employed by repressive regimes to keep the populace in check at home, while hiring agents to collect intelligence abroad. Britain's first secret service was established by Sir Francis Walsingham, secretary of state to Elizabeth I; meanwhile the US Secret Service was set up in 1865 as a specialized department of the Treasury, charged with stopping the circulation of forged banknotes. This book concentrates on more recent covert operations conducted by the modern-day security services of the USA, Britain, Russia and China, a game of spy versus spy played out day by day and decade by decade across the world, with the ultimate stake each nation's freedom. From Sidney Reilly 'Ace of Spies' through the heyday of the KGB, CIA and MI5/ MI6 to today's super-snooper Big Brother set-up, The Spying Game gives you the inside track on an incredible cloak and dagger world of international intrigue now being eclipsed by computers and electronic surveillance as the NSA in America and Britain's GCHQ take over the reins.

“Thriller writing at its best... A gripping story that's hard to put down.” --Midwest Book Review, Diane Donovan (re Any Means Necessary) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ From #1 bestselling and USA Today bestselling author Jack Mars, author of the critically acclaimed Luke Stone and Agent Zero series (with over 5,000 five-star reviews), comes an explosive new action-packed espionage series that takes readers on a wild ride across Europe, America, and the world—perfect for fans of Dan Brown, Daniel Silva and Jack Carr. High up in the snowy mountains of Nepal, terrorists are on the verge of discovering one of the world’s great archeological treasures and, crossing the border, threatening world security. Jacob must race to find them and stop them. But as he fights the world’s harshest elements, Jacob soon realizes he may be walking right into a global trap…. An unputdownable action thriller with heart-pounding suspense and unforeseen twists, TARGET NINE is the ninth novel in an exhilarating new series by a #1 bestselling author that will make you fall in love with a brand-new action hero—and keep you turning pages late into the night. Future books in the series will soon be available. “One of the best thrillers I have read this year. The plot is intelligent and will keep you hooked from the beginning. The author did a superb job creating a set of characters who are fully developed and very much enjoyable. I can hardly wait for the sequel.” --Books and Movie Reviews, Roberto Mattos (re Any Means Necessary) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Espionage is as old as civilization itself. From the early scouts of ancient empires to the covert operations that shape modern geopolitics, the art of gathering intelligence and using it to influence events has been a key driver in the world’s most pivotal moments. Yet, despite its long history, espionage remains shrouded in mystery, glamorized by popular media but rarely understood in its true complexity. The world of spies, secrets, and shadows often lies beyond the grasp of everyday knowledge, confined to the realms of classified documents and darkened corridors. This book aims to peel back the layers, offering readers an in-depth exploration of how espionage truly works—from the motivations and methods that define it to the tools and techniques used by those who operate behind the scenes. In crafting this book, the goal is not just to reveal the inner workings of intelligence agencies or the tactics of undercover operatives but to highlight the strategic importance of espionage in a constantly shifting global landscape. Through case studies, historical analysis, and a closer look at modern developments, we aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of this critical, yet often misunderstood, profession. Espionage today is more complex than ever before. The digital age has introduced new challenges and opportunities, with cyber espionage now taking center stage alongside traditional fieldwork. Nations, corporations, and even individuals engage in espionage for a variety of purposes, from national security to economic gain. As this field continues to evolve, the importance of understanding its mechanisms has never been greater. In the following chapters, we will explore the vast world of intelligence gathering, the people who risk their lives to obtain information, and the shadowy power struggles that occur between competing agencies and nations. Whether you are a student of history, a lover of spy fiction, or simply someone curious about the world of intelligence, I hope this book provides insight, intrigue, and a new appreciation for the complexities of espionage. Welcome to the world of spies.

“Thriller writing at its best... A gripping story that's hard to put down.” --Midwest Book Review, Diane Donovan (re Any Means Necessary) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ From #1 bestselling and USA Today bestselling author Jack Mars, author of the critically acclaimed Luke Stone and Agent Zero series (with over 5,000 five-star reviews), comes an explosive new action-packed espionage series that takes readers on a wild ride across Europe, America, and the world—perfect for fans of Dan Brown, Daniel Silva and Jack Carr. In the shadowy depths of London's underground, CIA Agent Jacob Snow and astute archaeologist Jana Peters chase a doomsday cult through a web of historical intrigue, aiming to recover Sir Isaac Newton's stolen alchemical secrets. But as they piece together the puzzle, they realize the cult's true plan—one that could alter the balance of world power forever. An unputdownable action thriller with heart-pounding suspense and unforeseen twists, TARGET NINETEEN is the nineteenth novel in an exhilarating new series by a #1 bestselling author that will make you fall in love with a brand-new action hero—and keep you turning pages late into the night. Future books in the series are now available! “One of the best thrillers I have read this year. The plot is intelligent and will keep you hooked from the beginning. The author did a superb job creating a set of characters who are fully developed and very much enjoyable. I can hardly wait for the sequel.” --Books and Movie Reviews, Roberto Mattos (re Any Means Necessary) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Since the mid-nineteenth century, the main drivers of clandestine activity have been wars, crime, and international espionage. The need to obtain and pass along secret information exists so that one group can gain dominance over another, whether through victory in conflicts, seizure of land, or stealing money. Spies may be a constant, but so are the code breakers, those hardworking heroes who use their intelligence and drive to overcome whatever challenges arise from enemies or thieves. This comprehensive collection of New York Times coverage gives a behind-the-scenes look at the high stakes drama created by dangerous secrets, with media literacy terms and questions included to further draw readers in.

Gale Researcher Guide for: The Spy Thriller: John le Carré is selected from Gale's academic platform Gale Researcher. These study guides provide peer-reviewed articles that allow students early success in finding scholarly materials and to gain the confidence and vocabulary needed to pursue deeper research.

*The No.1 Sunday Times Bestseller* *Shortlisted for the 2018 Baillie Gifford Prize* *Bill Gates' Top 5 Books for 2020* 'THE BEST TRUE SPY STORY I HAVE EVER READ' JOHN LE CARRÉ A thrilling Cold War story about a KGB double agent, by one of Britain's greatest historians - now with a new afterword On a warm July evening in 1985, a middle-aged man stood on the pavement of a busy avenue in the heart of Moscow, holding a plastic carrier bag. In his grey suit and tie, he looked like any other Soviet citizen. The bag alone was mildly conspicuous, printed with the red logo of Safeway, the British supermarket. The man was a spy. A senior KGB officer, for more than a decade he had supplied his British spymasters with a stream of priceless secrets from deep within the Soviet intelligence machine. No spy had done more to damage the KGB. The Safeway bag was a signal: to activate his escape plan to be smuggled out of Soviet Russia. So began one of the boldest and most extraordinary episodes in the history of spying. Ben Macintyre reveals a tale of espionage, betrayal and raw courage that changed the course of the Cold War forever... BEN MACINTYRE'S NEXT BOOK, COLDITZ, IS AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER NOW

A bundle of books #1 (TARGET ONE), #2 (TARGET TWO), and #3 (TARGET THREE) in Jack Mars’s Spy Game Thriller series—a bestseller! This bundle offers books one, two, and three in one convenient file, with over 150,000 words of reading. In TARGET ONE, Jacob Snow—elite soldier-turned-CIA agent, haunted by his tortured past—is one of the CIA’s greatest assets, and is dispatched when the stakes are highest. When an ancient Egyptian relic goes missing under mysterious circumstances, Jacob knows this is no run-of-the-mill robbery: the relic holds a secret—one that could destroy everything. Jacob seeks out a mysterious and beautiful archeologist, whose brilliance is needed on the case. Together, they must partner to decode the archeological riddles and stop the terrorists before it is too late. Yet as they race to recover the stolen artifact, they soon find themselves in the midst of a conspiracy bigger than anything they could have imagined—and time is quickly running out. In TARGET TWO, when a terrorist group sets its eyes on the greatest archeological treasure of the holiest city, Jacob, dispatched, knows he has little time to reach Jerusalem before it sparks an international war. Jacob knows, even more, that he cannot solve the case without partnering with the mysterious archeologist he hopes to not fall in love with. As they spring into action to decode the ancient riddles and stop them, they soon realize the plot goes deeper than they could have imagined. With the fate of the world in the balance, they may just be out of time. In TARGET THREE, Jacob Snow must race into action when a new terrorist group arises with a terrifying weapon: a deadly disease, lying dormant underwater for centuries. If unleashed, it will wreak unimaginable destruction—and Jacob is the only one who can stop it. But the path to finding it lies through an ancient relic. And the only one brilliant enough to unravel its symbolism is Jana, Jacob’s mysterious partner and archeologist. Together, they must find and stop the terrorists before its too late. But in a shocking twist, Jacob realizes that his own path may just come back to bring him down. THE SPY GAME is an exhilarating new series by a #1 bestselling author that will make you fall in love with a brand-new action hero—and keep you turning pages late into the night. Perfect for fans of Dan Brown, Daniel Silva and Jack Carr. Future books in the series are also now available!

Packed with tips, hints and advice on all the tricks needed to be a super spy, including how to write and break codes, how to use disguises to avoid detection and how to stalk and shadow enemy spies effectively. Includes spy-tests, observation quizzes and code-cracking challenges. This is a highly illustrated ebook that can only be read on the Kindle Fire or other tablet. "Le Carré for ten-year-olds, this book made espionage seem like a perfectly viable profession." - Author David Nicholls in The Saturday Times