Bond Book of the Month

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  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    Working my way though TM again, a bit slower this time. ;) ( In case I missed something)
    Even on the second reading it's still very good. :D
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • Charmed & DangerousCharmed & Dangerous Posts: 7,358MI6 Agent
    Hi all, TP has done a brilliant job of reviewing all the Bond novels, and it would be impossible to improve on that. However I enjoyed this thread so much I thought I'd follow it up with some reviews of books about Bond, starting pretty much chronologically.

    First up I'll be reviewing JAMES BOND: A REPORT by O.F. SNELLING. If you have a copy ( they come up on eBay periodically) or not, please join the discussion! -{
    "How was your lamb?" "Skewered. One sympathises."
  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 36,053Chief of Staff
    A light and enjoyable read, Snelling's REPORT in many ways resembles Kingsley Amis' JAMES BOND DOSSIER which was to follow soon after, although not in as much detail. Snelling writes well and his appreciation of Fleming's work and the very early Bond films shine through. I've had a copy since the 60s and re-read it several times.
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    Great idea C&D -{
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • Penfold HeartPenfold Heart Posts: 159MI6 Agent
    I tried Dracula, but it was so slow and old fashioned to read, that I gave up.
    I could joke that it sucked ........ But I won't.

    Me too, I really enjoyed it up to about half-way, then it just seems to fall apart and gets really boring.
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    I did want to read Frankenstein but I think it would be as hard to read. :#
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 36,053Chief of Staff
    True, you have to do that one in sections then tie it all together at the end.
  • Charmed & DangerousCharmed & Dangerous Posts: 7,358MI6 Agent
    007: JAMES BOND: A REPORT by O.F. Snelling

    The first book on the Bond phenomena, JAMES BOND: A REPORT was published in 1964, some months before Fleming's death. The book examines the novels, (although the author has seen the first two Connery films) up to the events of You Only Live Twice, which had just been published and features as footnotes in The Report.

    O. F. (Oswald Frederick) Snelling (1916-2001) was an author and auctioneer clerk in the antiquarian book trade. A REPORT was the only title at that stage authorised by Fleming himself and remains Snelling's most notable work.

    The book contains chapters titled His Predecessors, His Image, His Women, His Adversaries and His Future. It's written in the first person, in a largely tongue-in-cheek way as Snelling points out the many inconsistencies and adjustments between the novels, but it's an affectionate tribute as Snelling is clearly a huge fan of the novels. For instance:

    "[Bond] appears to have one serious hobby: fast cars...the first one he ever owned was 'one of the last of the 4.5 litre Bentleys with the supercharger...'. He bought it in 1933. Harping back to the business about his age, if it is established that Bond was about twenty-six at the end of the war, he bought that car at the age of fourteen! On the other hand, if he was still only about 36 in 1961, as Domino guesses him to be, he was about eight years old when he bought his first car. Since he 'had kept it in careful storage throughout the war', either he was waiting till he was old enough to buy* a licence or he was serving his country and lied about his age".

    (*could you buy a licence in 1964? :o )

    One of the most interesting aspects in A REPORT is that Snelling compares Bond to the best known pre-war heroes of British spy/thrillers, such as Bulldog Drummond and Richard Hannay. Bond, while clearly from upper-middle class roots, is a world away from the stiff-upper lipped adventurers and verges on anti-hero at times.

    Raymond Benson's 'James Bond: A Bedside Companion' was clearly influenced by A REPORT and covers much the same ground. My only criticism is that A REPORT is not so easy to dip in and out of - each chapter is like a chapter in a novel, linear and without breaks or the bullet points in more modern reference books on Bond. Additionally it contains no illustrations or images.

    However, as the first major work on Bond and with its rich vein of humour and affection, it's well worth reading if you can find a copy. 7/10 -{
    "How was your lamb?" "Skewered. One sympathises."
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    Nice review C&D. {[]
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • loutinloutin Posts: 1MI6 Agent
    Hello I could use everyone's help. I am looking for a book that came out probably a couple of years ago. It was a larger hard cover book that had movie pictures of the bond films inside it with information regarding the films and Bond. My brother in law is a huge bond fan as am I and I would like to obtain a copy for him as a gift. I am not sure what it is called, perhaps others have seen it and could pass along information. Any assistance would be appreciated.
  • welshboy78welshboy78 Posts: 10,292MI6 Agent
    Sounds like the Posters of 007?

    Its been reissued
    Instagram - bondclothes007
  • am747am747 Posts: 720MI6 Agent
    Just finished reading CR, my first Bond Book. Have to kick myself for not attempting to read Fleming earlier

    The book is nicely paced and introduces the characters well. The battle in the casino and the torture scene are classic. The last act creates suspense to keep the pages turning -{

    Hoping that the next books will include the SMERSH agent who kept 007 alive after dealing with Le Chiffre
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    Yes, it's a wonderfully well crafted novel. {[] the description of the card game
    Is especially good ( in my opinion).
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • 002002 New ZealandPosts: 558MI6 Agent
    Yes, those first three books are consistently good throughout.
  • Silhouette ManSilhouette Man The last refuge of a scoundrelPosts: 8,645MI6 Agent
    002 wrote:
    Yes, those first three books are consistently good throughout.

    Indeed. :) -{
    "The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    Hopefully over Christmas and the new year, many of us may well get a few Bond
    Books in our stockings, In the new year. I was going to once again read the
    Fleming books again, so would really welcome any views from members on them.
    Like many of us, I seem to know more about the films than the books. Hopefully
    By continually going back and re-reading these wonderful story's, will help me be
    a little more knowledgeable on them......... Also it's a lot of fun :)
    So if anyone wants to read the books again or for the first time, and would like
    To discuss, give some observations, opinions and views please join in. Believe me
    I'm no expert on the books, simply a fan. No one need feel that they don't know
    enough about the books to give an opinion. I'm only learning , myself. ;)
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • welshboy78welshboy78 Posts: 10,292MI6 Agent
    Not Fleming but I believe I will have the Making of OHMSS in my stocking this xmas!! Been after it for a while!!
    Instagram - bondclothes007
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    The book or the Stockings ? ;)
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • Silhouette ManSilhouette Man The last refuge of a scoundrelPosts: 8,645MI6 Agent
    ^ That sounds like a very good idea, TP. I always like any opportunity to study the literary Bond more in-depth. :) -{
    "The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    Any excuse to read them :)) also I've not got a copy but
    From all reports the " Making of OHMSS" is a wonderful
    Book. -{
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • Silhouette ManSilhouette Man The last refuge of a scoundrelPosts: 8,645MI6 Agent
    Any excuse to read them :)) also I've not got a copy but
    From all reports the " Making of OHMSS" is a wonderful
    Book. -{

    I have it and the TLD one as well. Yes, very good books, if a little pricey but a lot of hard work went into their creation so I don't mind that too much. :) -{
    "The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    Who knows, I've been a good boy, so maybe my stocking too
    Will have something other than a small orange ! :))
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • welshboy78welshboy78 Posts: 10,292MI6 Agent
    Any excuse to read them :)) also I've not got a copy but
    From all reports the " Making of OHMSS" is a wonderful
    Book. -{

    I have it and the TLD one as well. Yes, very good books, if a little pricey but a lot of hard work went into their creation so I don't mind that too much. :) -{

    Pricey indeed. Thats why im hoping the other half bought it :D
    Instagram - bondclothes007
  • welshboy78welshboy78 Posts: 10,292MI6 Agent
    Anybody picked up Some Kind of Hero?

    I grabbed a copy in the UK but the cover was ripped to bits so put it back and forget to go to another book shop
    Instagram - bondclothes007
  • Silhouette ManSilhouette Man The last refuge of a scoundrelPosts: 8,645MI6 Agent
    welshboy78 wrote:
    Anybody picked up Some Kind of Hero?

    I grabbed a copy in the UK but the cover was ripped to bits so put it back and forget to go to another book shop

    Yes, I ordered it off Amazon a while ago. Recommended - a real tome on the Bond films. :) -{
    "The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).
  • The Domino EffectThe Domino Effect Posts: 3,631MI6 Agent
    Just received mine today. It's huge. I had no idea. Must be 600+ pages long which I would assume makes it the definitive single volume on the subject. Looking forward to reading it.
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    I'm waiting for mine to be delivered.
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • welshboy78welshboy78 Posts: 10,292MI6 Agent
    Just received mine today. It's huge. I had no idea. Must be 600+ pages long which I would assume makes it the definitive single volume on the subject. Looking forward to reading it.

    Indeed. I was suprised how thick it was too!
    Instagram - bondclothes007
  • Silhouette ManSilhouette Man The last refuge of a scoundrelPosts: 8,645MI6 Agent
    Yes, it really is a tome and a tonic for the Bond film historian! :)

    Its co-author Ajay Chowdhury added me on Facebook recently. :007)
    "The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    edited December 2015
    Just bought the kindle version of " James Bond, The authorised biography ", I do have
    the old paperback version but this is a good excuse to read it again. -{
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
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