Espionage has always been a subject that has captivated the thoughts and imaginations of many people. The idea of ​​the glamorous lives of spy agents and spies with big parties, high-tech gadgets and world-destroying villains has led to the belief that spies live a life of adventure and almost science fiction . Real agents live far from this life in reality. Many live in constant fear of being imprisoned or executed. Facts and fiction about espionage have been distorted over time. Espionage has been used by countries and empires for thousands of years in various forms. In ancient times, the writings of Sun-Tzu and Chanakya explained how to use espionage for profit in war or military operations. Chandragupta was a military leader who used Chanakya's writings. In modern times, espionage has been used to varying degrees and in varying forms (Wikipedia, 2). For many years, espionage was a male-dominated profession. It was not until after World War II that women began to be hired as spy agents. Men realized that women could go where they could not and soon they understood the importance that women could have in intelligence operations (Spievogel, 601). Espionage was most widely used during the Cold War. The Soviet Union and its allies sought as much information about the activities of the United States and its allies. In recent times, espionage has been used in a type of espionage called industrial espionage. Businesses will attempt to gather information about their competitors. This causes businesses to lose billions of dollars every year. Espionage has recently focused on the illegal drug trade and threats of terrorism (Wikipedia, 2). Espionage is a profession and an activity carried out by agents who have different...... middle of paper ......e is a very misunderstood profession. Facts have been altered over the years to make films and literature more palatable. Each passing year brings new knowledge about espionage to the public. Some “facts” revealed need to be thought about and studied further to ensure they are not fiction. One thing is certain about spies and agents. They live a difficult life of lies. Works Cited “Espionage”. Wikipedia. January 19, 2002. Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. March 11, 2014.Silverstein, Herma. Spies Among Us: The Truth About Modern Espionage. United States of America: Moffa Press, Inc. 1988. Spielvogel, Jackson J., Ph. D., World History: Modern Times. New York; McGraw Hill-Glencoe, 2005The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, nd Web. April 19. 2014.