James Bond: The Authorised Biography in '06
According to a new listing on Amazon.co.uk, John Pearson’s James Bond: The Authorised Biography of 007 will be reprinted in the UK by Century in September 2006. This will mark the first appearance of this rare James Bond continuation novel since 1986.
First UK paperback edition
First published in 1973, James Bond: The Authorised Biography of 007 claims to be a “true” account of the life of James Bond, from his childhood up through the Fleming books and including Colonel Sun. The author finds 007 in semi-retirement in Bermuda where he’s enjoying the company of Honeychild Rider. The narrative then cuts back and forth between Pearson’s adventures interviewing the sometimes uncooperative Commander Bond and Pearson’s own retelling of Bond’s life story. Many of the events chronicled in this 400-page book read like James Bond short stories and include his wartime adventures and his early missions as an SIS agent.
James Bond: The Authorised Biography of 007 has always been somewhat of a curiosity for literary Bond fans. It has also been one of the more difficult Bond novels to find. It’s doubtful this is an “official” publication as some of the events in this book contradict events in the current bestselling Young Bond series of books by Charlie Higson. Nevertheless, in September, Bond fans will have a chance to read this interesting and underrated James Bond novel for themselves.
Click here for CBn’s review and overview of James Bond: The Authorised Biography of 007 by John Pearson.
Pre-order James Bond: The Authorised Biography of 007 from Amazon.co.uk (September 7, 2006).