New book- James Bond In Our Sights: A Close Look At 'A View To A Kill'

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Comments

  • BlackleiterBlackleiter Washington, DCPosts: 5,615MI6 Agent
    Both Stacey and Jinx were pretty bad, but in my opinion here's what Jinx had over Stacey:

    - Jinx was better looking (although she had the advantage of being seen in a bikini)
    - Jinx had a couple of nice action scenes
    - Halle Berry is generally a better actress that Tanya Roberts (but the way she recited some of her lines in DAD was awful, so maybe this point doesn't really count)

    Just my opinion, but I had a lot harder time tolerating Tanya Roberts in AVTAK than I did with Halle Berry in DAD. Stacey Sutton vs. Rosie Carver is a much closer contest for me.
    Jarvio wrote:
    Well, as much as I love AVTAK, I do admit that stacey isn't a strong point (although I don't mind her either).... however, I still stick by my opinion that she is a lot better than Jinx. This isn't complimenting stacey though - but instead I'm belittling Jinx. I thought Jinx was just awful, but to each their own
    "Felix Leiter, a brother from Langley."
  • FiremassFiremass AlaskaPosts: 1,910MI6 Agent
    i just finished reading the book. (kindle fire edition) and I must say it was very well written and featured lots of worthwhile insight.

    yes, the cover art does suck, but the content is A+

    Highly recommended for any 007 fan except for Blackleiter.
    My current 10 favorite:

    1. GE 2. MR 3. OP 4. TMWTGG 5. TSWLM 6. TND 7. TWINE 8.DN 9. GF 10. AVTAK
  • BlackleiterBlackleiter Washington, DCPosts: 5,615MI6 Agent
    Thank you for sparing me, although I might be curious to read it just to find out what led the producers to believe they made were making a good Bond film! :))
    Firemass wrote:
    i just finished reading the book. (kindle fire edition) and I must say it was very well written and featured lots of worthwhile insight.

    yes, the cover art does suck, but the content is A+

    Highly recommended for any 007 fan except for Blackleiter.
    "Felix Leiter, a brother from Langley."
  • Silhouette ManSilhouette Man The last refuge of a scoundrelPosts: 8,870MI6 Agent
    I'm reading this one at the minute - the book deserves respect as its author is a very deep-thinker who highlights in this book many of the latent elements of AVTAK, but then I'm an AVTAK defender, and I see things differently from most Bond fans. Andrew McNess has an interesting blog that accompanies the book also called James Bond in our Sights.

    McNess mines similar territory to myself on The Bondologist Blog, and as such, I take my top hat off to him!
    "The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).
  • JB-returnsJB-returns Posts: 17MI6 Agent
    Hi. Just letting you know that an updated version of my 2011 book, James Bond in Our Sights, will be available from MAY 2015. Hope you enjoy (and will let you know when links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc. become available) ...

    jbios%2B-%2Ba%2Bview%2Bto%2Ba%2Bkill%2B-%2Bxlibris.png

    (From the back cover)
    The James Bond film series is a worldwide box-office phenomenon, with cultural reference points including cars equipped with ejector seats, heroines equipped with suggestive names, and henchmen wielding steel-brimmed hats. The escapist series can nevertheless accommodate more subtle and understated plays with its established formula, and – as author Andrew McNess demonstrates – a sterling example of this can be found in 1985’s A View to a Kill. Through an analysis of the film’s characters, plotline, themes, music, action sequences, and more, James Bond in Our Sights illuminates an underrated classic in James Bond Cinema. A superbly engaging and insightful read, this ‘close look’ at A View to a Kill delivers a refreshing take on the pleasures of escapist cinema.

    Author email: 007.closelook@gmail.com

    And the following isn’t from the back cover...
    Barbel, in response to your question in the literature section ... I initially posted about this updated edition in the literature section, because when I posted back in 2011 about the original edition of James Bond in Our Sights – in the Movies section – I was informed it was more appropriate to post about the book in the ‘literature’ section. So, for the updated edition, I simply followed the advice! (Forgive me for feeling I’m in a slightly un-winnable situation!)
  • broadshoulderbroadshoulder Acton, London, UKPosts: 1,363MI6 Agent
    I might buy this book. I am a View to a Kill devotee...
    1. For Your Eyes Only 2. The Living Daylights 3 From Russia with Love 4. Casino Royale 5. OHMSS 6. Skyfall
  • AlphaOmegaSinAlphaOmegaSin EnglandPosts: 10,926MI6 Agent
    Yes -{ Me too :)
    1.On Her Majesties Secret Service 2.The Living Daylights 3.license To Kill 4.The Spy Who Loved Me 5.Goldfinger
  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 38,102Chief of Staff
    JB-returns wrote:
    Barbel, in response to your question in the literature section ... I initially posted about this updated edition in the literature section, because when I posted back in 2011 about the original edition of James Bond in Our Sights – in the Movies section – I was informed it was more appropriate to post about the book in the ‘literature’ section. So, for the updated edition, I simply followed the advice! (Forgive me for feeling I’m in a slightly un-winnable situation!)

    I've deleted your topic from the literature forum- one free plug is enough. For a more winnable situation, try using our site as more than just an advertising billboard.
  • HigginsHiggins GermanyPosts: 16,619MI6 Agent
    Barbel wrote:
    one free plug is enough. For a more winnable situation, try using our site as more than just an advertising billboard.

    +1! {[]
    President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.

    Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
  • AlphaOmegaSinAlphaOmegaSin EnglandPosts: 10,926MI6 Agent
    2+ {[]
    1.On Her Majesties Secret Service 2.The Living Daylights 3.license To Kill 4.The Spy Who Loved Me 5.Goldfinger
  • JB-returnsJB-returns Posts: 17MI6 Agent
    Barbel wrote:
    I've deleted your topic from the literature forum- one free plug is enough. For a more winnable situation, try using our site as more than just an advertising billboard.

    Oh dear, I just thought some people might be interested in the book. But I stand duly corrected.
  • HigginsHiggins GermanyPosts: 16,619MI6 Agent
    edited February 2015
    Oh dear - it seems that you don't get it!

    We are here to share infos and discuss things Bond.
    You're only here to plug your book. Can you see the difference and the slight annoyance on our side?

    I for my part was tempted to buy your book but your attitude keeps me off from buying it.
    Counter - marketing also works :D
    President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.

    Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
  • BlackleiterBlackleiter Washington, DCPosts: 5,615MI6 Agent
    I might buy this book. I am a View to a Kill devotee...

    I would consider buying the book precisely because I am not a fan of AVTAK. I'd like some additional insight into why certain Bond movie fans think highly of it.
    "Felix Leiter, a brother from Langley."
  • AlphaOmegaSinAlphaOmegaSin EnglandPosts: 10,926MI6 Agent
    Could it possibly convert you? :D
    1.On Her Majesties Secret Service 2.The Living Daylights 3.license To Kill 4.The Spy Who Loved Me 5.Goldfinger
  • BlackleiterBlackleiter Washington, DCPosts: 5,615MI6 Agent
    Could it possibly convert you? :D

    Okay, now, let's not get carried away! :s
    "Felix Leiter, a brother from Langley."
  • HigginsHiggins GermanyPosts: 16,619MI6 Agent
    Convert BL?

    I'd rather join the Timboys than BL getting an AVTAK fan :D
    President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.

    Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
  • BlackleiterBlackleiter Washington, DCPosts: 5,615MI6 Agent
    Higgins wrote:
    Convert BL?

    I'd rather join the Timboys than BL getting an AVTAK fan :D

    It's a close call, but you're probably not wrong! :))
    "Felix Leiter, a brother from Langley."
  • PeppermillPeppermill DelftPosts: 2,860MI6 Agent
    Higgins wrote:
    Convert BL?

    I'd rather join the Timboys than BL getting an AVTAK fan :D

    It's a close call, but you're probably not wrong! :))

    I'm taking bets on which will happen first.....

    11964004-large.jpg
    1. Ohmss 2. Frwl 3. Op 4. Tswlm 5. Tld 6. Ge 7. Yolt 8. Lald 9. Cr 10. Ltk 11. Dn 12. Gf 13. Qos 14. Mr 15. Tmwtgg 16. Fyeo 17. Twine 18. Sf 19. Tb 20 Tnd 21. Spectre 22 Daf 23. Avtak 24. Dad
  • JB-returnsJB-returns Posts: 17MI6 Agent
    Higgins wrote:
    Oh dear - it seems that you don't get it!

    We are here to share infos and discuss things Bond.
    You're only here to plug your book. Can you see the difference and the slight annoyance on our side?

    I for my part was tempted to buy your book but your attitude keeps me off from buying it.
    Counter - marketing also works :D

    Actually, the pleasure is in the achievement of the book.

    I don't post regularly to forums, and that is a personal preference, but I have announced the book in December 2011 and the updated edition in February 2015, and have responded to any respectful queries/comments that have emanated from those posts.

    I have to admit an eagerness to announce a project to an audience who has an interest in James Bond (even if, given the subject matter of the book, I have anticipated some negativity – as well as some good-natured joking from those who find little to enjoy in AVTAK but can happily co-exist with those who do!). I think anyone who has undertaken a long-term endeavour/project could relate to the desire to let others know their work exists.

    Higgins and Barbel, while I acknowledge the issue you are raising (that I announce the book – but do not post regularly) I would understand the annoyance infinitely more if AJB007 was a struggling forum with very few contributors. This is clearly not the case.

    Moderators of course need to be careful that forums do not become something akin to advertising free-for-alls, but my observation is that other Bond authors (such as Mark O’Connell and Robert A. Caplen) are similarly respectful on the forum circuit – announcing their work once or twice, but most certainly without clogging up the airwaves.
  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 38,102Chief of Staff
    JB-returns wrote:
    Higgins and Barbel, while I acknowledge the issue you are raising (that I announce the book – but do not post regularly) I would understand the annoyance infinitely more if AJB007 was a struggling forum with very few contributors. This is clearly not the case.

    That's not your call, it's the forum's. I'm a site moderator, and wouldn't be if I didn't have the support of the members so I'm speaking for the forum. Our attitude is that we'd prefer regular contributions alongside advertising. An announcement is in order, and you've done that. Bumping a post isn't in order, nor is repeated plugging.
    By all means regularly post here and mention whatever you like (within reason) in your signature, as I and others do.
  • FiremassFiremass AlaskaPosts: 1,910MI6 Agent
    Barbel wrote:
    Bumping a post isn't in order, nor is repeated plugging.

    You'll just have to decide how much plugging is needed, Barbel. (As Moneypenny would say :D )

    Personally, I have no objection to raising awareness for this GREAT book about the most underrated Bond film. I wish every Bond fan would read it and then we could finally have some enlightened discussions about A View to a Kill. -{
    My current 10 favorite:

    1. GE 2. MR 3. OP 4. TMWTGG 5. TSWLM 6. TND 7. TWINE 8.DN 9. GF 10. AVTAK
  • JB-returnsJB-returns Posts: 17MI6 Agent
    Barbel wrote:
    That's not your call, it's the forum's. I'm a site moderator, and wouldn't be if I didn't have the support of the members so I'm speaking for the forum. Our attitude is that we'd prefer regular contributions alongside advertising. An announcement is in order, and you've done that. Bumping a post isn't in order, nor is repeated plugging.
    By all means regularly post here and mention whatever you like (within reason) in your signature, as I and others do.
    Thanks for your comments.
    If bumping a post has to occur, I would much prefer it be for a positive reason, rather than because I’ve felt compelled to address some charges made.
    Repeated plugs – with the updated edition of the book I posted in the Literature Section, as I was originally advised with the 2011 edition that I should have posted in the Literature Section, not the film section. This new thread in the literature section was then closed, but not without a comment asking why I didn’t just post the information in the other thread I started. So I did just that. I obviously mistook the comment/question as having an instructive/suggestive component – and this has certainly been to my subsequent dismay.
    Firemass wrote:
    You'll just have to decide how much plugging is needed, Barbel. (As Moneypenny would say :D )

    Personally, I have no objection to raising awareness for this GREAT book about the most underrated Bond film. I wish every Bond fan would read it and then we could finally have some enlightened discussions about A View to a Kill. -{

    Perhaps the dismay is lifting. Many thanks, Firemass!
  • HigginsHiggins GermanyPosts: 16,619MI6 Agent
    Why don't you stop playing the victim here.

    If I remember correctly, you "informed us" about that update in at least 4 different threads?
    President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.

    Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 38,102Chief of Staff
    Alright, JB-returns, that's enough bumping- not to mention repetition, sophistry and evasion. This thread is now closed.

    I will, though, take a leaf from your book ;% and repeat myself: feel free to post here on other subjects. Only other subjects.
This discussion has been closed.