Description
Book SynopsisIt is brimming with strange and amusing stories about the Bond actors, from Sean Connery to Daniel Craig, behind the scenes at the film set, and amazing facts about Ian Fleming's original novel. Whether you want to learn about the casting of the six personifications of Bond and their respective success, discover Fleming's lesser known literary achievement, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (aka James Bond for children), or unearth the mystery surrounding the true composer of the James Bond theme, there is something for every enthusiast to dip into.
Table of ContentsIntroduction 'The name's Bond, James Bond...' - A name 'as ordinary as possible' The man with the golden typewriter - The life and inspirations of Ian Fleming In his elder brother's shadow - The distinguished career of Peter Fleming Father figure - The heroic Valentine Fleming Goldeneye - Fleming's dream house Unlikely scenario - Fleming's 'steely patriotism' Amalgamation of daydreams - The similarities between Fleming and Bond A significant number - The origins of the highly-resonant 007 Out of puff - Fleming runs short of inspiration The world is not enough - Who were James Bond's forebears? School for spies - The Eton of the North Precocious youth - Bond matures early Realms of fantasy - In reality a rather ineffective agent Superman? - Probably not... At home with Bond - His residence in London Action-fuelled lifestyle - Bond's plethora of leisure pursuits Who'd have him? - Bond, the ultimate bachelor The man who made it happen - Broccoli's passion for the world of 007 Location, location, location - 'We can't have him going to Blackpool' Place of work - Where the adventures begin Inspired, but not obvious - Sean Connery, the right man for the job Hard act to follow - The arrogant George Lazenby Almost inevitable - Roger Moore, the longest serving Bond Played for laughs - Moore's unique approach Short lived - Timothy Dalton - a successful, but fleeting, Bond Patience rewarded - Pierce Brosnan gets another chance Rugged and realistic - Daniel Craig, a new departure The Bond girls - Beyond the beauty... If you say so... - Fleming's description of SMERSH True or false - Did SMERSH really exist? From Russia with outrage - Bond viewed from behind the Iron Curtain Quaintly old-fashioned - Fleming's novels are of their time Ace of clubs - Upper-class trappings pervade For her majesty's service - What awards has Bond received? Struck a chord - Barry synonymous with Bond Appearance in High Court - Who wrote the James Bond Theme? Tested ingredients - The successful Bond formula Giant leap - Why did Bond go into orbit? M for mystery - Bond's superior Stolen gold - A hijacked name Sincerest flattery - Bond spawns a new genre Open to abuse - 007 through the eyes of early satirists The power of Powers - The Austin Powers trilogy Johnny English - A thoroughly English satire Spoof version - Why 1967's Casino Royale was slapstick Mass mayhem - The madcap plot of 1967's Casino Royale movie Artistic licence - The town that never was Stranger than fiction - A topical reference lost on audiences today Cross-channel raspberry - Bond plays to the anti-Gallic sentiment Armed to the teeth - 007's arsenal of firearms Bond on wheels - From Bentley to Saab Little Nellie - Bond's versatile miniature aircraft Mountaintop retreat - Blofeld's palace draws hungry skiers Home from home - Pinewood Studios, the 007 stage Apocalyptic - Story of a sound stage Post script - Fleming's other literary exploits Must haves - The world of Bond collectables Golden years - The lifestyle of a retired Bond Held in trust - Bond's legacy lives on Dynamic successors - Bond literary adventures to continue Lucky Jim - Kingsley Amis picks up the Bond baton Golden pen - The prolific John Gardner An unlikely successor - Raymond Benson, the first US Bond writer A new dimension - The innovative Charlie Higson Odd man out - Sebastian Faulks, the 'serious' novelist Hooked - The contemporary Jeffery Deaver Permanent home - Fleming's legacy located in India 'Keep Bond British' - Will 007 always be British? Role of honour - Bond novels and movies Index
