Let me begin by making a distinction for which I am only marginally qualified. I did have access to top secret information and I have read the genre avidly. I am referring to the difference between a secret agent and a spy.

Spies are intended to be little noticed and to gather information to be transmitted to an intelligence agency for future use.

Spies go back to fourth century B.C. in China. The crafty Sun Tzu wrote of them and used them.

Ancient Egypt had its politics and spies as did the Hebrews. The story of Rahab lends light to the usage and Joshua used spies in his assault on Jericho.

The Greeks and Romans had spies. All of which were used to gather information and infrequently to take action.

That brings us to secret agents. The term may have come to prominence with the publis

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