James Bond the secret world of 007 or James Bond Encyclopeida

j.blades

I think you all realitivley no me around here, I'm a die hard literary Bond fan looking for some more Bond to read, and although these books are not literary per-say, there still books on Bond and i'll settle for these while waiting for project X to come out so,
I'm at a cross roads which is better; James Bond the secret world of 007 or The James Bond Encyclopeida? Your thoughts are much appreciated.

~B.

Golrush007

I only have The Secret World of 007.

However, having browsed through the JB Encyclopedia in a bookstore, I would go for the encyclopedia. The secret world is aimed at kids, and is typical of a DK book. The encyclopedia looked pretty good, and from my brief glimpse looked like it had some good pics and a wealth of info.

James Bond: The Legacy is a great book. If you don't yet have it I would highly recommend it.

j.blades

Thanks Golrush007, i have the legacy its great thanks for the input i think i may go with the encyclopedia.

hegottheboot

Definitely the Encyclopedia. I still go through my worn 2nd edition to this day. The other is one of the big DK books that are good only for some of the illustrations. I also have Legacy and it is fantastic.

How is Benson's Bedside Companion?

Barbel

hegottheboot wrote:

How is Benson's Bedside Companion?

Better than both of the other books combined, IMHO. The only drawback is it's now outdated (unless there's been an updated version which I don't have! My copy is from 87 or so).

j.blades

Barbel wrote:

hegottheboot wrote:

How is Benson's Bedside Companion?

Better than both of the other books combined, IMHO. The only drawback is it's now outdated (unless there's been an updated version which I don't have! My copy is from 87 or so).

Really? wow thank God I havemnt boughten anything yet, may check Bensons out see if its to my liking.

Barbel

Here's a few reviews:

http://www.raymondbenson.com/reviews/jbbc/

http://www.tjbd.co.uk/books/the-james-bond-bedside-companion.htm

http://www.amazon.com/James-Bond-Bedside-Companion/dp/1401102840

Napoleon Plural

Have you tried this wonderful literary companion?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/James-Bond-Official-Companion-Flemings/dp/0719568153/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1280944968&sr=1-1

I have to say I found the encyclopedia a bit childish if it's the same one I'm thinking of, though there are some rare shots that took me back, including Bond with the Toyota.

There's also that massive coffee table book James Bond Legacy that goes up to DAD and sort of marks an end of an era.

j.blades

Cool, thanks Napoleon Plural and Barbel may check all of these out!

oddjob007

I was wondering if i could get some opinions on what is a better book. I am interested in the james bond encyclopedia and james bond: the legacy. Just would like to know which is a better book overall or the same.

Thanks for the help.

Napoleon Plural

Well you know what I think. Legacy is a very well written, adult book for fans, lavish pics. Encyclopedia is a bit scrappier but digs up some rarity shots, I did have that 'Hmm, I'm too old for this' feeling when reading it however. I think there are spin off books of the same make aren't there, things like James Bond and his Cars or James Bond and his Gadgets, gimmicky type books with some good pics.

oddjob007

Ok. thanks for the help. I am leaning towards acquiring james bond: the legacy. Only thing is though that makes me want the encyclopedia is that it has the craig bonds also.

Golrush007

Buy Legacy if you want a good, well written text about the Bond films and their influence and legacy. Encyclopedia is fun, but as others have written, it is a little more childish and offers mainly a reference source on characters, vehicles etc. Each film does have a nice spread with behind the scenes sort of info but this is not the focus of the book. I think Legacy is a better book in the final analysis, but I'm certainly glad that I have both on my bookshelf.

j.blades

That makes sense. Thanks for the help.