Article by Benjamin Welton The espionage novel is one part “imperial adventure story” and one part detective tale. The former, which is extensively examined by Dr. Caroline Reitz in her slim study entitled Detecting the Nation: Fictions of Detection and the Imperial Venture, often details the exploits of Englishmen abroad, specifically those educated Englishmen who…
The late Christopher Hitchens once said: “What is James Bond really doing when he specifies the kind of Martini he wants and how he wants it? He is telling the bartender that he knows what he is talking about and is not to be messed around” These days, anyone and everyone can order a good…
In 1982, Bond aficionado and the first Bond continuation author – Kingsley Amis – wrote a review of John Gardner’s ‘For Special Services’. By Kingsley Amis Ian Fleming’s last novel, The Man With The Golden Gun, appeared in 1965, a year after its author’s death. I published Colonel Sun: a James Bond Adventure under the…
With kind permission from Revelator: Here’s a little treat to kick off 2014. In 1981 a thick reference book was published, titled The Dictionary of National Biography, 1961-1970 and containing biographies of notable figures who had died during that decade. As one of the best-selling authors of century, Ian Fleming was naturally included, and the editors wisely…
Back on October 24th, 2011, BBC Radio 4 broadcast a special 27-minute reading of Ian Fleming’s James Bond short story ‘The Living Daylights‘ read by Downton Abbey’s Dan Stevens. The broadcaster recently repeated the recording as part of BBC Radio 4 Extra’s ‘The Spying Game’ series. Dan also lent his voicing talents to the 007…
Written by James Bond Memes blog author Edward Biddulph, this cookbook is full of exciting recipes inspired by the food that Bond eats in the novels and short stories of Ian Fleming. The recipes, devised by the author, are modern, but have a period twist. This book is very well written with attention to detail…
If you like to listen to James Bond’s adventures while working or relaxing, then check out these BBC radio play productions on YouTube, not to mention the priceless Desert Island Discs interview with Ian Fleming. Sadly, not the whole broadcast. From Russia, With Love: In writer Archie Scottney’s brilliantly evocative ‘radio screenplay’, we see another…
In 1967, this rare Playboy article was written by famous children’s author Roald Dahl. Dahl in fact, worked with Ian Fleming in the BSC during WW2 with the secret intelligence group informally known as The Irregulars. According to Donald Sturrock, author of Storyteller – The Life of Roald Dahl: “[Roald Dahl] had known Ian Fleming well. Both…
Oswald Frederick Snelling, “Freddie” or O.F to his friends, worked in Sotheby’s Rare Book Department and was highly regarded in the rare book trade. He was also a cartoonist, critic, journalist, soldier, and biographer with a particular interest in boxers’ lives. He became Chief Clerk until the firm was closed in 1981. It was there he met author Ian Fleming,…
Cars and James Bond have always had a strong association and, contrary to popular belief, Bond’s preference has historically been firmly with Bentley Motors as established by Ian Fleming. In fact, John Pearson could not have put it better in his fictional biography of Bond when he said: “For Bond, the Bentley was an echo of…
The Bibliography covers every aspect of Fleming’s writing, from the manuscript stage, through typescripts, uncorrected proofs, advance and review copies, first and subsequent impressions, paperback printings, omnibus and collected editions, as well as periodical appearances, comic strip adaptations, young reader and large print editions published in Britain and America. Jon Gilbert: A clear picture has emerged…
Bond Bound: Ian Fleming & The Art of Cover Design looks at all Ian Fleming’s books including the children’s story Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Thrilling Cities – his collected travel journalism. However much of the exhibition charts the the role of artists and designers in creating and defining the Bond look. The covers of Bond…
First dispatched on September 26, this beautiful collector’s item deserves mention. Vintage Classics and Bentley Motors have united to create a luxury special edition of Casino Royale to mark 60 years of Bond. It also features an introduction from racing legend Sir Stirling Moss: “When it came to cars Fleming really knew his stuff… he must have known that the fabulous pre-war Bentleys…
This just in. Stride and Son Auction House in Chichester, West Sussex has several first edition Bond novels up for grabs and ‘The James Bond Dossier‘ They include: You Only Live Twice The Spy Who Loved Me The Man With The Golden Gun Octopussy & The Living Daylights Thunderball Kingsley Amis’, The James Bond Dossier
In August 1954 he flew to the US for research his next novel – Diamonds Are Forever – visiting Saratoga Springs after his friend, William Stephenson, sent him a magazine article about the spa town. In the US, Fleming travelled with two friends, Ivar Bryce and Ernest Cuneo, whose name was changed to ‘Ernie Cureo’ for the role of Bond’s…
Artistic Licence Renewed 