James Bond: The Secret History

I've been a James Bond fan since seeing Dr. No with my father when I was 13 years old. Chances are that if you've been a Bond fan for a while than nothing in this book will be very new to you. For the novice Bond fan, this might be a good place to start.The book begins with the Bond books by Ian Fleming and works its way to the most recent Bond film Spectre. What is interesting is how this book discusses the various aspects of the Bond phenomenon in order. For instance, while discussing the film version of Dr. No, the author will get into the Dr. No comic book published by Classics Illustrated in England and DC comics in the United States and the fact that there was not another James Bond comic book for over 20 years. While discussing Goldeneye, he will get into the Goldeneye video game and other Bond games (something not all that interesting to me.)For someone writing a book on Bond, he doesn't seem to like most of the Fleming books or films all that much. After Goldfinger, he pretty much has negative things to say about most of the films. (He particularly despises the Roger Moore films but ends the section on them by basically congratulating Moore for keeping the Bond series alive after Connery's departure.) Most of the films get only a couple pages each until a great deal of attention is paid to the Craig films starting with Casino Royale. Yet, despite his raving about Craig's Bond and his excellent first film, he condemns unmercifully Craig's next three: the mediocre Quantum of Solace, Skyfall and Spectre (which he seems to hate.)(For a truly detailed book on the Bond films, I would suggest the massive "Some Kind of Hero," which I read most of last summer.)Something I found interesting is that he discusses the various Bond novels written by others other than Fleming, most of which he doesn't like. (I would agree with him for the most part on that subject.)There are also some mistakes to be found such as him stating that Felix Leiter dies in License to Kill. Leiter is maimed certainly but he doesn't die, Bond is talking to him by phone in the last scene.As stated, this book goes over every aspect of the Bond legend and it is worthwhile for that. It is a quick read and if you are a Bond fan you will enjoy it. (I can't even count how many books on the Bond films that I have read.) If you want more detail, you should go somewhere else however.

Come to think of it….the only two worthwhile phenomenon post the Second World War that Britain can be proud of are the Beatles and James Bond…quintessentially British but loved the world over…..James Bond, the rakishly charming British spy - The creation of Ian Fleming, a formal naval officer…..he has survived and thrived for over 65 years……transitioning from books to TV to Cinema to Comic Strips to Video games…constantly being rebooted and repurposed….to keep pace with the changing World.Sean Egan (named by his grandmother after Sean Connery….the first actor to star as James Bond), seems to be a die-hard James Bond Fan and not so much of a fan of Ian Fleming the Creator.Spoiler no 1: Ian Fleming is not the author of all the James Bond Books…a life of leisure, indolence and indulgence sees Ian Fleming passing away in 1964….and by then…the cinematic Bond is yet to become the legend that he was….the later novels are written by others….and the later movies are expanded versions of short stories written by Ian Fleming or by writers authorized to write about the exploits of Bond.In a World after the second World War, Ian Fleming’s creation fitted in well….the Cold War which provided the theater to so many British novelists ( like Fredrick Forsyth and John Le Carre) was the ideal stage for a British Spy representing all that is right and from the free world, combatting the evil designs of the communist East and its assorted functionaries…..Flerming’s books…though not literature of a higher order compared to his peers….enjoyed a rare popularity with the audience…..the end of the cold war necessitated the creation of villains – sometimes pure evil – without reference to their nationality.The book initially covers the events around the publication of his novels….and later gravitates to the movies of James Bond, the struggle of the Broccoli family to keep the franchise alive and the many fights between publishers, film companies for the IP rights.All our favourite James Bond stories are covered in detail…where they originated and how….and the way they have been cleverly perpetuated for over 65 years…..longer than the much loved Phantom or Tarzan ( do kids read these nowadays?) or to the more respected Sherlock Holmes, created by the venerable Arthur Conan Dyle.Think ‘Martini, Shaken and not Stirred’, ‘ The name is Bond, James Bond’,‘Money Penny’, Quartermaster ( that is the expanded name of Q) and his many avatars, M ( in deference to the changing times, M is a she when Judi Dench reprises the role), OO7 stories, the Aston Martin trivia, Blofield, SPECTRE…..all the James Bond folklore is covered… ….the fondness of the author towards Bond comes across pretty clearly.The actors who played James Bond…from the original Sean Connery, George Lazenby (An Australian actor and a one film wonder), Roger More, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan…all very Brit or Irish or Scottish ( remember…Bond works out of London)…..and their evolution and the issues enacting the greatest franchise in the world….are reviewed.The book also serves as a revision of all that is Bond, his movies, the title songs, his relationship with M, the strangely physically deformed villains……it is like an Omnibus encyclopedia on Bond.Compulsory reading for all the Bond fans….not great literary merit….but thoroughly enjoyable and a good book to end the year.

Great insight into the Bond series. Covers both the evolution of the Movies and the Books/Literature. I now feel I must reread the original novels again! Looking to read more from this author.

Given that Ian Flemings advice to me over lunch back in 1962 prompted my own career as a writer, I have a habit of checking out most Bond/Fleming related books... and this one doesn't disappoint. I guess that should have read - Fleming/Bond/Broccoli as the movie connections are of course way longer than Flemings own creative input. Remarkably comprehensive - and even with my extensive collection I enjoyed picking up some new facts and twists in the tale. I wouldn't dare to even suggest I step in the masters footprints- but it seems that my latest thriller - 'Just In Time' -by Harry Buckle- is well received by todays readers. Details of my lunch with Ian Fleming are in 'Sometimes Music is my Only Friend.'-Harry Buckle...and all from the excellent amazon.

This author has written several books often about Rock Stars and his books on the likes of The Beatles, Bob Dylan and the Rolling Stones are in my view excellent, so I was pleased to see that he had penned a book about James Bond. This book is as much about the original works by Ian Fleming as it is about the films, and thus is able to bring much more depth to a subject which is often reduced to discussion about Bond Girls, Gadgets, Stunts and the actors playing 007 himself.Of course these things are all covered, but there is much more focus on the stories and the development of James Bond as a character. In a crowded marketplace of James Bond this book stands out as a quality analysis of the genre, but not overplaying by being too analytical and intellectual. Mission accomplished!

a great read with plenty of information for bond fans. well worth the money

This book is full of info not not normally seen/informed by the media.Would certainly recommend this to all Bond fans

good condition fast delivery