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! -{
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.
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? )
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 -{
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.
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
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."
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).
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
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.
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 ManThe last refuge of a scoundrelPosts: 8,865MI6 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).
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."
Comments
Even on the second reading it's still very good.
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! -{
Me too, I really enjoyed it up to about half-way, then it just seems to fall apart and gets really boring.
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?
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 -{
Its been reissued
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
Is especially good ( in my opinion).
Indeed.
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.
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.
Will have something other than a small orange !
Pricey indeed. Thats why im hoping the other half bought it
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.
Indeed. I was suprised how thick it was too!
Its co-author Ajay Chowdhury added me on Facebook recently. :007)
the old paperback version but this is a good excuse to read it again. -{