Yes, just found that out on Twitter. I really enjoyed his Authorised Biography of James Bond - I completed this but never quite managed all of his rather austere looking Fleming biography (well, I was a teenager at the time.)
For those who don't know, the Bond bio sort of filled in the gaps of Bond's life prior to getting his double-o status, under the pretext that Pearson had found out by chance that a James Bond actually did exist, and his friend Ian Fleming had based his books on his real-life exploits, as a sort of propaganda battle, or to fox the Enemy into thinking he was fictional. The book became more implausible as it went on but the first half is thrilling stuff and I recall it more keenly than any of the continuation novels. It has a bit of the grit, sleaze and authenticity of Fleming.
Of course, at 92 Pearson outlived Fleming by over 25 years. If Fleming had lived to that age, he'd still be alive when Dalton took over.
Pearson's Bond biography was rollicking good fun. I would rank it second to Colonel Sun as the best continuation novel, even if it is a bit far-fetched in places. Certainly good fun, however. I rate his biography of Fleming highly too. He knew Fleming well, having worked with him, and while not my favourite Fleming biography, I do highly recommend it. The recently-published Notes is outstanding, and even more highly recommended.
I wish I could find a copy of the Bond Biography with the "messy desk" artwork as seen above. That's the one I had as a lad and have long since lost. The book is very hard to find in general, and the edition I have now is a very generic cover.
You'd think with the films and continuation novels now focusing more on Bond's life story there'd be renewed interest in the Bond Biography?
I used to read Wilbur Smith as an adolescent and found his novels visceral and exciting. I preferred the stand alone novels of the sixties and seventies. Once he got into the Ballantyne quadology and the extended Courtney histories I lost interest. Many of his most recent novels were collaborative efforts and I felt they lacked focus. Nonetheless Smith was an outstanding writer of adventure stories. He had a superb eye for natural detail and the best of his novels were imaginative, innovative and exciting.
I just heard that the great stage actor Sir Anthony Sher died of cancer today. Almost exclusively an actor of the theatre, Sher was great in the BBC adaptation of The History Man. A very underrated actor who played ever major Shakespearian role during his long career.
Edward Shames just died aged 99. He was the last surviving member of Easy Company made famous by the mini-series Band of Brothers. He jumped on D-day and years later toasted at his son's bar mitzva in cognac "liberated" from Hitler's "eagles' nest". Thank you for your service.
Music was my first love and it will be my last. Lyrics from his most famous song and a very apt tribute to the singer/composer who has died far too soon.
Yeah, well, sometimes nothin' can be a real cool hand.
This is terrible - I can't remember that - so three down - sad sad sad. Loved The Monkees T.V. show. I watched them all the time as a kid whenever they were on, the perfect blend of comedy, music and excruciatingly bad acting, which never seemed to matter. Hilarious. Good tunes too.
Some really really good songs in that band. They kind of took off where the Beatles had been, I mean you look at them at Sgt Pepper et al and the Beatles suddenly seem like mad hatters while still being totally cool.
Last Train to Clarksville is really a version of Paperback Writer isn't it? I also like A Little Bit of Me, along with Daydream Believer and I'm a Believer, the latter written by Neil Diamond of course. I think even the Pistols covered I'm Not Your Stepping Stone.
Architect Richard Rogers, known for two landmarks that popped up in the Bond films - the Pompidou Centre in Moonraker, doubling as Drax's Californian HQ where Bond first meets Dr Goodhead, and of course the Millennium Dome in the pre-credits of TWINE.
British actor Jack Hedley who appeared as Havelock in For Your Eyes Only, has died at age 92 after a short illness. Hedley enjoyed a long career that also included Lawrence of Arabia, Colditz, and The Longest Day.
Sally Ann Howes was, at the age of 15, in the seminal British horror film Dead of Night, an anthology film released in 1945 and best remembered for the ventriloquist's dummy segment starring Michael Redgrave. The film is a must-see and one of the finest understated horror films ever made. RIP Sally Ann.
Comments
I enjoyed both his biographies--of Fleming (though it was very much surpassed by Lycett's bio) and of James Bond himself. RIP, sir.
Yes, just found that out on Twitter. I really enjoyed his Authorised Biography of James Bond - I completed this but never quite managed all of his rather austere looking Fleming biography (well, I was a teenager at the time.)
For those who don't know, the Bond bio sort of filled in the gaps of Bond's life prior to getting his double-o status, under the pretext that Pearson had found out by chance that a James Bond actually did exist, and his friend Ian Fleming had based his books on his real-life exploits, as a sort of propaganda battle, or to fox the Enemy into thinking he was fictional. The book became more implausible as it went on but the first half is thrilling stuff and I recall it more keenly than any of the continuation novels. It has a bit of the grit, sleaze and authenticity of Fleming.
Of course, at 92 Pearson outlived Fleming by over 25 years. If Fleming had lived to that age, he'd still be alive when Dalton took over.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
Pearson's Bond biography was rollicking good fun. I would rank it second to Colonel Sun as the best continuation novel, even if it is a bit far-fetched in places. Certainly good fun, however. I rate his biography of Fleming highly too. He knew Fleming well, having worked with him, and while not my favourite Fleming biography, I do highly recommend it. The recently-published Notes is outstanding, and even more highly recommended.
RIP John Pearson, I also highly recommend his book, The Profession of Violence about East End gangsters the Krays.
RIP John Pearson
I wish I could find a copy of the Bond Biography with the "messy desk" artwork as seen above. That's the one I had as a lad and have long since lost. The book is very hard to find in general, and the edition I have now is a very generic cover.
You'd think with the films and continuation novels now focusing more on Bond's life story there'd be renewed interest in the Bond Biography?
I have that in the attic, caractacus, but I don't know when next I'll be up there. I'll keep you in mind.
Author Wilbur Smith died today, aged 88. He sold millions of books and was one of the many people to enjoy his work. Thanks and RIP.
That's a very sad loss.
I used to read Wilbur Smith as an adolescent and found his novels visceral and exciting. I preferred the stand alone novels of the sixties and seventies. Once he got into the Ballantyne quadology and the extended Courtney histories I lost interest. Many of his most recent novels were collaborative efforts and I felt they lacked focus. Nonetheless Smith was an outstanding writer of adventure stories. He had a superb eye for natural detail and the best of his novels were imaginative, innovative and exciting.
RIP
RIP John Pearson and Wilbur Smith. Your books never remained long on the shelves of my bookshop, a testament to your brilliance.
Over 8 years at Liverpool Ray won…
5 League Titles
3 European Cups
1 UEFA Cup
1 European Super Cup
1 League Cup
He finally lost his battle with dementia & Parkinson’s
RIP 🍸
YNWA
Tommy Lane(Adam in Live And Let Die) has died from COPD at the age of 83.
Sad news. Adam was a great henchman.
RIP
https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/tommy-lane-death-james-bond-b1967220.html
" I don't listen to hip hop!"
Sad to hear of the death of Tommy Lane. Adam was a good henchman in LALD.
I just heard that the great stage actor Sir Anthony Sher died of cancer today. Almost exclusively an actor of the theatre, Sher was great in the BBC adaptation of The History Man. A very underrated actor who played ever major Shakespearian role during his long career.
I'd seen Anthony Sher in a few films and TV productions--he even played Disraeli to Judi Dench's Queen Victoria. A very fine actor indeed.
Edward Shames just died aged 99. He was the last surviving member of Easy Company made famous by the mini-series Band of Brothers. He jumped on D-day and years later toasted at his son's bar mitzva in cognac "liberated" from Hitler's "eagles' nest". Thank you for your service.
John Miles, 72, RIP.
Music was my first love and it will be my last. Lyrics from his most famous song and a very apt tribute to the singer/composer who has died far too soon.
1 yr ago : Rigg , Lonsdale :(
Mike Nesmith of The Monkees has died. Shame they don't show that series on telly any more, or for the last 20-30 years even.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
I must admit I had a tangible “Mandela effect” moment when I read about Mike Nesmith, as I could have sworn he’d already passed away…RIP
Maybe you're thinking of Peter Tork, who died in 2019? Sad to think that Mickey Dolenz is the only surviving Monkee now. . .
Hell... when did Davy Jones die ??? RIP Mike Nesmith
I tried telling myself the same, but it was definitely Mike Nesmith I recall passing. Clearly I’m wrong though…or am I? 🤯
Davy Jones was first to go, as far back as 2012.
This is terrible - I can't remember that - so three down - sad sad sad. Loved The Monkees T.V. show. I watched them all the time as a kid whenever they were on, the perfect blend of comedy, music and excruciatingly bad acting, which never seemed to matter. Hilarious. Good tunes too.
Some really really good songs in that band. They kind of took off where the Beatles had been, I mean you look at them at Sgt Pepper et al and the Beatles suddenly seem like mad hatters while still being totally cool.
Last Train to Clarksville is really a version of Paperback Writer isn't it? I also like A Little Bit of Me, along with Daydream Believer and I'm a Believer, the latter written by Neil Diamond of course. I think even the Pistols covered I'm Not Your Stepping Stone.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
Just read that comedian Jethro has died of Covid aged 72, RIP.
Architect Richard Rogers, known for two landmarks that popped up in the Bond films - the Pompidou Centre in Moonraker, doubling as Drax's Californian HQ where Bond first meets Dr Goodhead, and of course the Millennium Dome in the pre-credits of TWINE.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
There's a fine obituary of Sally Ann Howes, star of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and whose death was announced today, in today's Times.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
British actor Jack Hedley who appeared as Havelock in For Your Eyes Only, has died at age 92 after a short illness. Hedley enjoyed a long career that also included Lawrence of Arabia, Colditz, and The Longest Day.
RIP Sally Ann Howes, "Truly Scrumptious" from "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" at 91.
Sally Ann Howes was, at the age of 15, in the seminal British horror film Dead of Night, an anthology film released in 1945 and best remembered for the ventriloquist's dummy segment starring Michael Redgrave. The film is a must-see and one of the finest understated horror films ever made. RIP Sally Ann.