Tales of daring covert operations and antiterrorism plots are not just the stuff of movies. Real spies are at work around the world every day. Designed for readers age 12 and up, this nonfiction series investigates the espionage agencies of six countries, tracking their history of intelligence gathering and spotlighting famous secret missions. Pop culture spies are contrasted with real-life agents. Exposing secrets is a spy's job, and the agents of the United States' Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) are some of the world's best. Cloaked in secrecy, the CIA gathers foreign intelligence and performs covert special operations for the purpose of counterterrorism and national security. This in-depth title for readers age 12 and up surveys the American espionage agency's history from the early 1900s to today. It covers training and the skills necessary to assess risks and thwart attacks.

It also examines key missions and compares pop culture spies with their real-life counterparts. Includes a glossary, sidebars, index, and further resources.