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What Bond reference book are you reading?

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  • DoctorNoDoctorNo USA-Maryland
    Posts: 755
    shamanimal wrote: »
    Dragonpol wrote: »
    No, it's all about Fleming and the Bond novels. You won't regret ordering it as Chancellor had access to the Fleming archives. Highly recommended!

    Nice one, looking forward to it all the more. To me, James Bond is in the Fleming books, all the rest, the films, the continuation novels etc, are fun aspects of the real Bond.

    +1
  • Max_The_ParrotMax_The_Parrot ATAC to St Cyril’s
    Posts: 2,426
    MaxCasino wrote: »
    [Now I’m onto Nobody Does it Better: The Complete, Uncensored, Unauthorized Oral History of James Bond by Edward Gross and Mark A. Altman.
    ...
    Probably the best of the Bond reference books I’ve read so far.

    Agree completely. The best one-stop-shop reference book on the Bond movies imo, so much better than Some Kind of Hero which I found rather plodding and lacking personality at times. However this is an absolutely joy to read from start to finish, a book to savour and really made me think about my opinions of different films in light of the range of viewpoints presented in the book. It was like being in the pub eavesdropping on the conversations of the Bond alumnis on the next table (because obviously I wouldn’t have been invited to sit at the cool table).

  • Agent_99Agent_99 enjoys a spirited ride as much as the next girl
    Posts: 3,176
    DoctorNo wrote: »
    shamanimal wrote: »
    Nice one, looking forward to it all the more. To me, James Bond is in the Fleming books, all the rest, the films, the continuation novels etc, are fun aspects of the real Bond.

    +1

    +2

    We weirdoes should stick together!
  • bigladiesmanbigladiesman
    Posts: 1,009
    Three at the same time, The James Bond Dossiers, Some Kind of Hero and The Music of James Bond. I read them as I see every film of the series.
  • RichardTheBruceRichardTheBruce I'm motivated by my Duty.
    Posts: 13,804
    I need to get back to The Real James Bond by Jim Wright/@TheRealJimWright, I greatly enjoyed the first few chapters. Especially living vicariously through the birdwatching activity in the field, since my business travel has stalled.

    As prompted by @BondOnThisDay, I've started Some Kind of Hero by Field & Chowdhury. Assisting the On This Day thread of course.

    And I picked up this slim book:
    He Disagreed With Something That Ate Him: Reading The Living Daylights & Licence to Kill, Cary Edwards. Too cheap not to buy, should be a very quick and enjoyable read.

    a2ff4d71bca2286d0b1ecf0ef93789b4ad2382f0.png
    I-would-highly-recommend.png



  • MaxCasinoMaxCasino United States
    Posts: 4,634
    RichardTheBruce wrote: »
    I need to get back to The Real James Bond by Jim Wright/@TheRealJimWright, I greatly enjoyed the first few chapters. Especially living vicariously through the birdwatching activity in the field, since my business travel has stalled.

    As prompted by @BondOnThisDay, I've started Some Kind of Hero by Field & Chowdhury. Assisting the On This Day thread of course.

    And I picked up this slim book:
    He Disagreed With Something That Ate Him: Reading The Living Daylights & Licence to Kill, Cary Edwards. Too cheap not to buy, should be a very quick and enjoyable read.

    a2ff4d71bca2286d0b1ecf0ef93789b4ad2382f0.png
    I-would-highly-recommend.png

    Two great reads, I haven’t read The Real James Bond yet. Let us know what you think!
  • GerardGerard
    Posts: 5,994
    Yesterday, while I wa&s in Paris, I found that at the Montparnasse station :

    610cdLff5kL.__BG0,0,0,0_FMpng_AC_UL320_SR214,320_.jpg

  • RevelatorRevelator
    Posts: 2,918
    Here's another interesting-looking book you might find in Paris:

    71cwk7VX7eL.jpg
  • BT3366BT3366
    Posts: 1,917
    Hopefully not too far off topic, but anybody ever bought a Bond reference book in a foreign language because of the different photos they offer? I have picked up 3 or 4 along with some of the Japanese programs and a couple of German ones just because they look great even if I can't read much if any of the text.
  • marcmarc Universal Exports
    Posts: 2,610
    Revelator wrote: »
    71cwk7VX7eL.jpg
    This is my second read.
    Gerard wrote: »
    610cdLff5kL.__BG0,0,0,0_FMpng_AC_UL320_SR214,320_.jpg
    Dalton et Brosnan flegmatiques?

  • RevelatorRevelator
    Posts: 2,918
    marc wrote: »
    This is my second read.

    Let us know how it is! I don't know enough French to read it but I'm interested in knowing how the French view Fleming.

  • marcmarc Universal Exports
    edited June 2020 Posts: 2,610
    No, this was just an attempt at a joke about the title, 'You only read twice' :--)
    (but I'm trying to do a second read of the Fleming novels right now)
  • RevelatorRevelator
    Posts: 2,918
    marc wrote: »
    No, this was just an attempt at a joke about the title, 'You only read twice' :--)

    Ah, I should have caught that. Que c'est embarrassant!

  • marcmarc Universal Exports
    Posts: 2,610
    Pas besoin d'etre embarrasse! (don't know where the accents are here) Sorry for this 'cunning linguist' bit.
  • Agent_99Agent_99 enjoys a spirited ride as much as the next girl
    Posts: 3,176
    marc wrote: »
    Dalton et Brosnan flegmatiques?

    Dalton certainement, bien sur.

    The cover image for On ne lit que deux fois is the one used on French editions of the novels:

    james-bond-plon-3.jpg
  • RevelatorRevelator
    edited June 2020 Posts: 2,918
    Ah, clever move then. Most of the French versions of the titles seem rather underwhelming. Motel 007 instead of the Spy Who Loved Me is the most notorious example.
  • GerardGerard
    Posts: 5,994
    You haven't seen the titles they gave the first french editions of the novels, then. BTW, those covers are from the second edition, published by Plon after Bond had started becoming big at the box office. I own a few of them, bought at second-hand bookstores over the years. Their titles were more faithful than the ones we had on the french editions. I discussed this in an earlier thread afew years ago.
  • marcmarc Universal Exports
    Posts: 2,610
    Agent_99 wrote: »
    marc wrote: »
    Dalton et Brosnan flegmatiques?
    Dalton certainement, bien sur.
    Ca, c'est pas l'image que j'ai de son Bond, notamment apres de LTK. I feel Dalton's Bond is really burning inside. The other Bond actors, Brosnan probably excepted, have more phlegmatic sides to them IMO.
  • RevelatorRevelator
    edited July 2020 Posts: 2,918
    Gerard wrote: »
    You haven't seen the titles they gave the first french editions of the novels, then.

    I looked up the novels in French Wikipedia and see what you mean!
    Here's the list of the French titles. (Original title = 1st edition = Later edition)

    Casino Royale = Espions, faites vos jeux [Spies, Place Your Bets] = Casino Royal

    Live and Let Die = Requins et services secrets [Sharks and Secret Service] = Vivre et laisser mourir

    Moonraker = Entourloupe dans l'azimut [Dirty Trick in the Azimuth] = Moonraker

    Diamonds Are Forever = Chauds les Glaçons! [Hot Ice!] = Les diamants sont éternels

    From Russia, with Love = Échec à l'Orient-Express [Failure on the Orient Express] = Bons baisers de Russie [Good Kisses From Russia]

    Dr. No = Docteur No

    Goldfinger = Opération Chloroforme [Operation Chloroform] = Goldfinger

    For Your Eyes Only = James Bond en danger = Bons baisers de Paris [Good Kisses From Paris]

    Thunderball = Opération Tonnerre [Operation Thunder]

    The Spy Who Loved Me = Motel 007

    On Her Majesty's Secret Service = Au service secret de sa Majesté

    You Only Live Twice = On ne vit que deux fois

    The Man with the Golden Gun = L'Homme au pistolet d'or

    Octopussy = Meilleurs vœux de la Jamaïque [Best Wishes From Jamaica]

    And in case anyone is interested, here are the German titles:

    CR = Casino Royale

    LALD = Leben und sterben lassen

    MR = Mondblitz [Moon Attack]= Moonraker

    DAF = Diamantenfieber [Diamond Fever]

    FRWL = Liebesgrüße aus Moskau [From Moscow With Love]

    DN = James Bond jagt Dr. No [James Bond Hunts Dr. No]

    GF = James Bond jagt Goldfinger

    FYEO = 007 James Bond greift ein [007 James Bond intervenes]

    TB = Feuerball [Fireball]

    TSWLM = 007 Der Spion, der mich liebte

    OHMSS = 007 James Bond und sein gefährlichster Auftrag [007 James Bond and His Most Dangerous Assignment] = James Bond, im Dienst ihrer Majestät

    YOLT = 007 James Bond reitet den Tiger [007 James Bond Rides the Tiger] = James Bond, du lebst nur zweimal

    TMWTGG = 007 James Bond und der Mann mit dem goldenen Colt = James Bond und der goldene Colt = James Bond, der Mann mit dem goldenen Colt

    OP = Octopussy und andere Riskante Geschäfte [Risky Business]

    The Living Daylights = Der Hauch des Todes [The Breath of Death]
  • Agent_99Agent_99 enjoys a spirited ride as much as the next girl
    Posts: 3,176
    marc wrote: »
    Agent_99 wrote: »
    marc wrote: »
    Dalton et Brosnan flegmatiques?
    Dalton certainement, bien sur.
    Ca, c'est pas l'image que j'ai de son Bond, notamment apres de LTK. I feel Dalton's Bond is really burning inside. The other Bond actors, Brosnan probably excepted, have more phlegmatic sides to them IMO.

    I see what you mean! I was thinking of someone who hides their emotions under a cold exterior.
  • marcmarc Universal Exports
    edited July 2020 Posts: 2,610
    Agent_99 wrote: »
    I see what you mean! I was thinking of someone who hides their emotions under a cold exterior.
    Yes, that may be an aspect of phlegm, but for me, it's more defined by a certain element of apathy or sluggishness.

    Btw, some days ago, I've finished reading what is possibly an equivalent to 'Agir et penser comme James Bond': (found it in the library)
    https://www.cross-cult.de/assets/images/1/bondify_cvr_final-0540448d-ffd3d031.jpg

  • goldenswissroyalegoldenswissroyale Switzerland
    Posts: 4,483
    marc wrote: »
    Agent_99 wrote: »
    I see what you mean! I was thinking of someone who hides their emotions under a cold exterior.
    Yes, that may be an aspect of phlegm, but for me, it's more defined by a certain element of apathy or sluggishness.

    Btw, some days ago, I've finished reading what is possibly an equivalent to 'Agir et penser comme James Bond': (found it in the library)
    https://www.cross-cult.de/assets/images/1/bondify_cvr_final-0540448d-ffd3d031.jpg
    And did you like this book? Never seen this before
  • marcmarc Universal Exports
    Posts: 2,610
    goldenswissroyale wrote: »
    marc wrote: »
    Btw, some days ago, I've finished reading what is possibly an equivalent to 'Agir et penser comme James Bond': (found it in the library)
    https://www.cross-cult.de/assets/images/1/bondify_cvr_final-0540448d-ffd3d031.jpg
    And did you like this book? Never seen this before
    This book is actually a long stringing together of jokes; some surprisingly funny, while others ... well ... aren't. The authors give hints how to manipulate neighbours into haywire villains and buy affordable but impressive clothes/cars/watches, interview the translators of the 2012 edition about the 'true Fleming Bond' etc.
    Part of each page is dedicated to a clever 'choose your own adventure' game where you can choose/acquire gadgets, travel to the US/Bahamas/Brazil/Venice/Siberia/Bangkok, lose/gain health points, find out codewords etc. and save the world.
  • RichardTheBruceRichardTheBruce I'm motivated by my Duty.
    Posts: 13,804
    @MaxCasino I gave my thoughts for The Real James Bond on its own discussion trail.

    https://www.mi6community.com/discussion/19372/my-new-book-the-real-james-bond#latest

    Also ran through He Disagreed With Something That Ate Him, a quick read. Good points and context run through by Cary Edwards. A few items worth sharing.

    page 36-37 (references Bond and Beyond: The Political Career of a Popular Hero by Tony Bennett and Janet Woollacott)
    This gun, used in most of the Bond films, was
    presented to Bond in M's office, in the first film Dr.
    No    , as a replacement for his previous firearm, a
    Beretta 418 (with a .25 calibre) described by M's
    armourer as "nice and light, for a lady's handbag."
    The Walther PPK symbolizes Bond's legitimacy and
    is a key part of his identity (he is often identified by
    it) but it also represents his relationship to M the
    father figure. This is added extra piquancy by the
    suggestion, from Bennett, that the PPK acts as a
    phallic symbol, the power given to him by M and part
    of the symbolic system that has M at its head.
    Removing this suggests castration, a removal of what
    Bond "never has of his own but one that he holds
    conditionally" (Benn 1987, 133). As Bond escapes
    with the PPK he claims this symbol for himself, no
    longer requiring M's approval or endorsement. Later
    in the film Bond's PPL is removed by Sanchez (who
    claims Isthmus is a "safe city"), whereupon Bond asks
    Pam for her gun. She passes him a Beretta 950 Jetfire,
    a similar shaped .25 calibre pistol to the 418 (which
    ceased production in 1958). In this Bond symbolically
    reclaims his original weapon, and thus achieves self-
    determination. By cutting his umbilical cord to M,
    Bond symbolically grows up.
    Interesting to see the Beretta in that light.


    page 63, Footnote 23 (referencing When the Snow Melts, by Broccoli with Donald Zec)
    In a classic moment of life imitating art Licence to Kill was
    released before [Manuel] Noriega was 'snatched'. Initial press reaction to the
    film's plot was incredulous, as Broccoli recalled. "They criticised
    our plot and totally misunderstood our intention to expose top-
    level corruption in the drug scene. If Noriega had been nailed a
    year before, the same critics may have accused us of milking the
    situation." (Broccoli 1998, 295).
    Regarding life imitating content of Bond films already in production/filming, it would be interesting to collect those items. I think there were examples with For Your Eyes Only, The World Is Not Enough. Though the specifics escape me for now.


    page 86, footnote 30 (referencing the Telegraph piece "The OO7 flops who nearly killed Bond", https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1518941/The-007-flops-who-nearly-killed-Bond.html)
    Broccoli pushed for for Dalton to return, despite objections from the
    Fleming estate's representative Kenneth Maidment who thought
    Dalton's portrayal was the main cause of falling revenues. (Hastings, 2006)
    Worth repeating, since this point comes up in discussion from time to time.

    71NMbXmN+AL._AC_UY218_.jpg
  • MaxCasinoMaxCasino United States
    Posts: 4,634
    The Many Lives of James Bond by Mark Edlitz. Great in-depth interviews with the artists who helped the James Bond legacy.
  • MaxCasinoMaxCasino United States
    Posts: 4,634
    MaxCasino wrote: »
    The Many Lives of James Bond by Mark Edlitz. Great in-depth interviews with the artists who helped the James Bond legacy.

    Just finished it! Highly recommended, but could have used more Bond Women, directors and screenwriters.

  • Max_The_ParrotMax_The_Parrot ATAC to St Cyril’s
    Posts: 2,426
    I've just taken delivery yesterday of this doorstop of a book

    https://www.amazon.co.uk/Steffen-Appel-Peter-Waelty-Goldfinger/dp/3958297463

    51BDUtKOmOL._SX409_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg

    and I have to say it's an absolutely wonderful work of art, text is brief but the images are bountiful and what wonderful images they are! So many candid behind the scenes shots of the 'iconic Alpine sequence' that are probably knocking around the Internet somewhere but which I've never seen, certainly not in book format. Never thought I'd get so much pleasure looking at Tania and Sean enjoying a picnic on the side of the road.

    @goldenswissroyale if you haven't already checked out the book I'm sure you'd love it, having visited the area - you may even know the authors??
  • MaxCasinoMaxCasino United States
    Posts: 4,634
    Max_The_Parrot wrote: »
    I've just taken delivery yesterday of this doorstop of a book

    https://www.amazon.co.uk/Steffen-Appel-Peter-Waelty-Goldfinger/dp/3958297463

    51BDUtKOmOL._SX409_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg

    and I have to say it's an absolutely wonderful work of art, text is brief but the images are bountiful and what wonderful images they are! So many candid behind the scenes shots of the 'iconic Alpine sequence' that are probably knocking around the Internet somewhere but which I've never seen, certainly not in book format. Never thought I'd get so much pleasure looking at Tania and Sean enjoying a picnic on the side of the road.

    @goldenswissroyale if you haven't already checked out the book I'm sure you'd love it, having visited the area - you may even know the authors??

    I’m planning on getting it soon!
  • goldenswissroyalegoldenswissroyale Switzerland
    edited August 2020 Posts: 4,483
    @Max_The_Parrot funny that you mention the pictures with Tania and Sean eating next to the road. It's one of my favourite images in the book. It looks so peaceful, uncomplicated (they didn't have a chair to eat! Imagine Craig must eat on the floor somewhere for lunch between the scenes!).
    I planned to write something about the book earlier but was a bit busy lately. (Sometimes, even the holidays of teachers come to an end). Would be nice to have a bit more text and there are some typing errors (Ken Adams instead of Adam...) but the text features funny and never-heard-before backstories. The pictures are indeed wonderful and most of them haven't been published before. The printing quality is very good, too. It feels like you would go back in time and be there on set. I can definitely recommend the book. But be aware that the book only features material from the one week shooting in Switzerland. It is a must for Goldfinger fans and a huge pleasure for all fans of new Bond photos.

    I was up in the hills with the authors the 5th of July, exactly 56 years after their arrival in Switzerland. (And it was again a Sunday).
    My profile picture shows me in front of Steffen Appelt's car on film location...My favourite photo of this summer. :D
  • Max_The_ParrotMax_The_Parrot ATAC to St Cyril’s
    Posts: 2,426
    @goldenswissroyale great anecdote, thanks for sharing! I've enjoyed flicking through looking at the photos and reading odd snippets but look forward to sitting down and properly reading it cover to cover. As you say shame there wasn't a little more substance to the text, but they do say a picture paints a thousand words. Top Bond book!
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