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Kingsley Amis' 'The James Bond Dossier'

007InVT007InVT Classified
edited July 2013 in Literary 007 Posts: 893
I thought this book deserves it's own thread.

I got my hands on a hard-to-find, battered, dusty, paperback copy and I can't put it down. Amis breaks down all of Fleming's motifs and themes and for the most part gets it right, especially if you know much about Fleming from one of his biographies.

I would suggest this is required reading for anyone who's a Fleming/Literary Bond devotee.

I also feel like Deaver and Faulks might have read it to get their book titles, since Amis uses the terms 'devil may care' and 'carte blanche' a few times. Call me a conspiracy theorist!

Considering the book was first published in 1965, Amis' take on all things Bond was remarkably quick, intelligent and fresh to this day. Peppered with other literary references, it's also an education in many ways.

Would love to hear thoughts from others who have read this.

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Comments

  • GerardGerard
    Posts: 5,997
    The french translation is part of my collection. And yes, it really is a great book. Recommanded reading for everyone here. Realy, TPTB should put it back on the market, as they did Thrilling Cities.
  • Dr_YesDr_Yes
    Posts: 169
    Oh, wow! I used to have a copy of this book in that very Signet edition you posted! When I was teenager, I bought the old Signet Fleming paperbacks from a used bookstore. Unfortunately, they're all long gone now. These days, I have the Fleming books in a Kindle format. I do remember reading parts of Amis's book but perhaps I was too young to fully engage the text. I wish I had that book back now.
  • 007InVT007InVT Classified
    Posts: 893
    You should pick one up on Ebay - still a great read.
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 18,282
    007InVT wrote:
    You should pick one up on Ebay - still a great read.

    I second that - essential reading for the literary Bond fan, I'd say.
  • Dr_YesDr_Yes
    Posts: 169
    I shall look for a copy there. I can still remember the chapter headings in my old Signet Books edition. I used to spend a lot of time in used bookstores; now we have eBay! :D
  • GerardGerard
    Posts: 5,997
    There are some on Amazon. But prices vary greatly, from £ 25 to £ 125.
  • Dr_YesDr_Yes
    Posts: 169
    I did see one for sale on Amazon by someone who apparently knows how much its worth! A bit too expensive for me. But there are some copies from US sellers in the $6 range, excluding shipping costs, of course.
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 18,282
    The Bond connection makes all of these first editions most expensive. I make do with a Pan Books 1966 paperback edition.
  • PerdoggPerdogg
    Posts: 686
    Dragonpol wrote:
    The Bond connection makes all of these first editions most expensive. I make do with a Pan Books 1966 paperback edition.

    I found a Cape edition last year from a UK dealer, very good shape and unclipped "16s net" for about £38 plus shipping.
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 18,282
    Perdogg wrote:
    Dragonpol wrote:
    The Bond connection makes all of these first editions most expensive. I make do with a Pan Books 1966 paperback edition.

    I found a Cape edition last year from a UK dealer, very good shape and unclipped "16s net" for about £38 plus shipping.

    Well, that was quite reasonable.
  • PerdoggPerdogg
    Posts: 686
    Dragonpol wrote:
    Perdogg wrote:
    Dragonpol wrote:
    The Bond connection makes all of these first editions most expensive. I make do with a Pan Books 1966 paperback edition.

    I found a Cape edition last year from a UK dealer, very good shape and unclipped "16s net" for about £38 plus shipping.

    Well, that was quite reasonable.

    I have notice that even on Abebooks, it is getting difficult to find Bond books. Especially Casino Royale through Goldfinger.
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 18,282
    Perdogg wrote:
    Dragonpol wrote:
    Perdogg wrote:
    Dragonpol wrote:
    The Bond connection makes all of these first editions most expensive. I make do with a Pan Books 1966 paperback edition.

    I found a Cape edition last year from a UK dealer, very good shape and unclipped "16s net" for about £38 plus shipping.

    Well, that was quite reasonable.

    I have notice that even on Abebooks, it is getting difficult to find Bond books. Especially Casino Royale through Goldfinger.

    Possibly indicating that dealers are buying and holding onto them for future increased value in time to come by setting them aside as a nest-egg?
  • PerdoggPerdogg
    Posts: 686
    I would like a Cape copy of "Live and Let Die" and "Goldfinger" to complete my Cape set . I have a Cape copy of the You Only Live Twice with the rare Kanji Interfold of the dustwrapper, but it was a part of some one's library.
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    edited July 2013 Posts: 18,282
    Perdogg wrote:
    I would like a Cape copy of "Live and Let Die" and "Goldfinger" to complete my Cape set . I have a Cape copy of the You Only Live Twice with the rare Kanji Interfold of the dustwrapper, but it was a part of some one's library.

    I only have Cape 1st eds of YOLT and OP & TLD.
  • Samuel001Samuel001 Moderator
    Posts: 13,355
    Has everyone seen this?

  • Dr_YesDr_Yes
    Posts: 169
    Bought my copy of Amis's "Dossier" for just under $15 via Amazon Marketplace. There were cheaper copies out there but the description made it seem like this one is in better condition. Seems like a fair price considering how expensive some hardcover first editions are, even on eBay!
  • ThunderballFeverThunderballFever
    edited July 2013 Posts: 23
    This is an interesting topic as both the British and U.S. HARDCOVER 1st editions of "THE JAMES BOND DOSSIER" are tough to locate in any kind of pristine condition and for an affordable price. I was lucky enough to obtain a copy of a (1965) U.S. Hardcover 1st printing (dust jacket design by Paul Bacon) back in the early 1970s from a fellow James Bond enthusiast (friend of mine) through the mail. There was no internet and of course no eBay at that time.

    I've owned this particular edition for so long now, that it is almost a part of my being. I don't think I could ever part with it for any price. Anyone interested in the literary Bond should definitely try to obtain a copy for future reading.

    Cheers!
    :)>-
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 18,282
    Samuel001 wrote:
    Has everyone seen this?


    Yes, watched it on You Tube some time ago. Nothing very new there.
  • JakeDelToroJakeDelToro Universal Exports
    Posts: 28
    This is a book I really want to get hold of. It's just a case of waiting to find the right copy at the right price for me. Though I'm in no great rush to get it just yet.
  • Dr_YesDr_Yes
    Posts: 169
    Got my copy of "The James Bond Dossier" today! It's just like the old Signet paperback I once owned as a kid. It even *smells* like a musty old used bookstore volume! Makes me very happy.
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 18,282
    Dr_Yes wrote:
    Got my copy of "The James Bond Dossier" today! It's just like the old Signet paperback I once owned as a kid. It even *smells* like a musty old used bookstore volume! Makes me very happy.

    Yes, I do love that musty old book smell myself. Who cares about the diseases that may lie within! Throw caution to the wind, I say!
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