Congrats Superado. I am very confident that you won't regret it and even if you find the contents of the book disappointing, you can always use the tome itself to get into shape, press small rodents to place in your album, or as an anchor to stop your house from blowing away in strong winds.
The book has everything, I think it's the best book on Fleming/Bond available. If there's a problem, it's how to read the monster, certainly not the easiest book to handle due to it's size!
That's true, reading it is not a simple physical feat! It hasn't become my new bedside companion, since it's so difficult for me to read it while leaning on the headboard. You really can't rest it at an angle on your lap or on some other surface if you don't want to damage the spine. I need to read it on a flat and clean surface with adequate lighting like my desk and not the kitchen or dining room table lest I stain the cloth cover. I can't even read it on comfortably on my couch since there's the need to lift up the book to the light when getting to the bottom of the page (it could just be age!) I'm not sure if I'll be using it to identify the edition and printing of my Bond paperbacks and comics, though I just might check on my Jonathan Cape editions for fun. Nonetheless, so far I am enjoying it, but I still can't find reproductions of Ian Fleming's scribbles on napkin scraps that I've only heard about...
"...the purposeful slant of his striding figure looked dangerous, as if he was making quickly for something bad that was happening further down the street." -SMERSH on 007 dossier photo, Ch. 6 FRWL.....
Sorry Welshie, I didn't mean more copies of the bibliography, I meant if another established author approached a publisher with a project on Ian Fleming, the sales of the bibliography could help it be approved for production. Hopefully last year's Goldeneye did well and Fergus Fleming's collection of letters will also do well later this year.
I doubt that the bibliography would get a second edition or a paperback printing because of its size and because it's very much a specialist publication. But the fact that the first edition has sold out proves the viability of even specialist projects. I hope
Ah sorry - understood!!!! Yes looking good with all these publications continuing!
Im glad I got one at the last min, I was too tight to pull the trigger on initial launch!!
Glad you got one. It's an absolutely superb book. I have most of the books written on Fleming and my must-have three are the bibliography, Andrew Lycett's biography and Matthew Parker's Goldeneye. All three are very different but equally valuable in their own way.
That review convinced me to buy the book, the most expensive item on my shelf. To be honest, I think book collecting is one of the most boring activities in the world, and my eyes glazed over when reading about the minute details between the 7th and 8th hardcover editions of Live and Let Die, but I'm still glad to have bought the Bibliography, because Gilbert might be the world's most knowledgeable Fleming expert--there doesn't seem to be a single Fleming-related book that he hasn't come across. I especially look forward to using his bibliography to track down Fleming's journalism and interviews. This is the sort of book that's only printed once and you have to get it while you can.
Silhouette ManThe last refuge of a scoundrelPosts: 8,844MI6 Agent
edited March 2017
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"The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).
I have a collected years of research material and books on Fleming and the novels. My question to those of you have obtained the book - is there anything new or revealing that is not well known or hasn't been covered in past publications? Yes, it would be nice to own such a collectable, but it would be even more if it came with some hidden treasures.
Popped into Adrian Harrington Rare Books in Tunbridge Wells today, and they are taking orders for an updated edition at a cost of £175 for signed copies. -{
I've had it for 2 years now and have read it through several times. VERY worth the money especially for serious Fleming Bond hardcover collector's. A fun read for everyone else.
I've just learned that a new edition is being released this year with changes and updates. I can't afford it at 175 pounds and not sure if I would splurge for the 2nd edition if I had the money.
I recently received the updated version. I really enjoyed the original, so I wanted the update. They are beautiful books and worth every cent- highly recommended.
This is where we leave you Mr. Bond. (Pilot, Apollo Airlines)
Is the updated version much different from the original? I don't have the funds to double-dip. But I'm very curious if the sections on Fleming's journalism, reviews, and interviews have been augmented.
Silhouette ManThe last refuge of a scoundrelPosts: 8,844MI6 Agent
I need to get this at some point. I too would be interested in the details of the updates.
"The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).
And...
I have been busy, buying paperback editions that I didn't even know existed before owning the bibliography. But, that is a good thing. Right?
I now have two additional shelves of paperback editions, working backwards from the most recent editions all the way back to the white model cover Pan version, which I remember seeing in the past. I am going to acquire selected Pan versions, since to own them all would involve buying around 300 paperbacks. I'll probably focus on the first impressions of each reset version of the Pans according to the bibliography. That cuts down the volume of books.
I presently have them arranged by title and chronologically by issue. They look so beautiful on the shelf.
I had forgotten how lovely the "still life" Pan covers are. I remember when they appeared back in the 70s. They're just so interesting with the various story related objects on both sides of the cover. Also the Centenary covers by Michael Gillette are gorgeous.
All in all, the bibliography has been a pleasure to read and use.
Comments
That's true, reading it is not a simple physical feat! It hasn't become my new bedside companion, since it's so difficult for me to read it while leaning on the headboard. You really can't rest it at an angle on your lap or on some other surface if you don't want to damage the spine. I need to read it on a flat and clean surface with adequate lighting like my desk and not the kitchen or dining room table lest I stain the cloth cover. I can't even read it on comfortably on my couch since there's the need to lift up the book to the light when getting to the bottom of the page (it could just be age!) I'm not sure if I'll be using it to identify the edition and printing of my Bond paperbacks and comics, though I just might check on my Jonathan Cape editions for fun. Nonetheless, so far I am enjoying it, but I still can't find reproductions of Ian Fleming's scribbles on napkin scraps that I've only heard about...
Hiding a $300 purchase from my wife isn't a good idea though.
Twitter: @FlemingsBond
If there was, you'd need the Tianhe-2 just to read it!
Queen Annes Press and Harrington Books no longer have any copies and upon enquiry Jon Gilbert personally told me to try the following:
http://www.oakknoll.com/pages/books/114608/jon-gilbert/ian-fleming-the-bibliography
They have a few copies left - maybe your last chance (for a first edition anyhow, Jon didn't mention any plans for another printing)
Did NOT sound like any plans for more mate hence the link to the last few available
I doubt that the bibliography would get a second edition or a paperback printing because of its size and because it's very much a specialist publication. But the fact that the first edition has sold out proves the viability of even specialist projects. I hope
Im glad I got one at the last min, I was too tight to pull the trigger on initial launch!!
Glad you got one. It's an absolutely superb book. I have most of the books written on Fleming and my must-have three are the bibliography, Andrew Lycett's biography and Matthew Parker's Goldeneye. All three are very different but equally valuable in their own way.
Almost but not quite correct--the James Bond Memes Blog published a good review back in 2012:
http://jamesbondmemes.blogspot.com/2012/12/ian-fleming-bibliography-review.html
That review convinced me to buy the book, the most expensive item on my shelf. To be honest, I think book collecting is one of the most boring activities in the world, and my eyes glazed over when reading about the minute details between the 7th and 8th hardcover editions of Live and Let Die, but I'm still glad to have bought the Bibliography, because Gilbert might be the world's most knowledgeable Fleming expert--there doesn't seem to be a single Fleming-related book that he hasn't come across. I especially look forward to using his bibliography to track down Fleming's journalism and interviews. This is the sort of book that's only printed once and you have to get it while you can.
I've just learned that a new edition is being released this year with changes and updates. I can't afford it at 175 pounds and not sure if I would splurge for the 2nd edition if I had the money.
Amazing book. Makes me want to own every variant paperback version.
Just because....
I have been busy, buying paperback editions that I didn't even know existed before owning the bibliography. But, that is a good thing. Right?
I now have two additional shelves of paperback editions, working backwards from the most recent editions all the way back to the white model cover Pan version, which I remember seeing in the past. I am going to acquire selected Pan versions, since to own them all would involve buying around 300 paperbacks. I'll probably focus on the first impressions of each reset version of the Pans according to the bibliography. That cuts down the volume of books.
I presently have them arranged by title and chronologically by issue. They look so beautiful on the shelf.
I had forgotten how lovely the "still life" Pan covers are. I remember when they appeared back in the 70s. They're just so interesting with the various story related objects on both sides of the cover. Also the Centenary covers by Michael Gillette are gorgeous.
All in all, the bibliography has been a pleasure to read and use.