Which James Bond Book to Buy?

For fans of the James Bond 007 series, it’s not just about collecting the novels, short stories, and novelizations, but all the other books that are written about the famous British secret agent. A great many have been written over the years, and CBn looks over a selection of them and gives you a brief review of what’s in store…

James Bond Movie Posters: the Official Collection

Buy: Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

One of the relatively newer James Bond books focusing on the many poster images that have accompanied the series films over the years. “It is a very large format book, the dustjacket is a matt finish with a tactile feel to it, it is suitably heavy, the reproductions of the posters are top notch (save a DAF reproduction). It is without doubt a coffee table book for a flicking through type of reference.” – Read the entire review here.

James Bond’s London

Buy: Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

A must for any Bond enthusiast’s shelf. “One of the problems with being a James Bond fan and collector is the overwhelming amount of Bond-related material released. For those of us on a limited income, it can be difficult to decide what to buy and what to pass up. However, there is that rare occasion when something is released that you just can’t pass up. James Bond’s London is definitely one of those items.” – Read the entire review here.

Be sure to also check out A Glimpse At James Bond’s London and How London Does It.

The Complete James Bond Lifestyle Seminar

Buy: Amazon.com

“The Complete James Bond Lifestyle Seminar isn’t a book for everyone. It’s definitely not aimed at the female market but it is aimed at a broad market of people who wish to improve their lifestyle. And I don’t think it quite matters if they’re James Bond fans or not, but lets face it, which male doesn’t wish that at least a part of Bond’s life was a part of their own?” – Read the entire review here.

James Bond: The Legacy

Buy:
Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

Recently, one of the most in-depth and largest James Bond 007 books was released. Full of information and covering many areas, it’s a definite must. “James Bond: The Legacy is a must buy for all James Bond fans and anyone interested in 20th century popular culture. Again, if you buy just one book about James Bond, make it this one.” – Read the entire review here.

“There is an assortment of books that every Bond aficionado should have in their respective collection, of course the list is headed by Ian Fleming’s literary adventures and expands to include such works as Raymond Benson’s The James Bond Bedside Companion. A new book has now entrenched itself of the list of ‘must haves’, James Bond: The Legacy by John Cork and Bruce Scivally.” – Read the entire review here.

Bond On Set

Buy: Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

“The most recent James Bond films have had ‘making of’ books published to coincide with the films cinematic release, and it seemed that Die Another Day would be no different. However, Greg Williams Bond On Set isn’t quite a ‘making of’ book, it’s something more special.” – Read the entire review here.

Martinis, Girls and Guns: 50 Years of 007

Buy: Amazon.co.uk

“The books title is apt as it covers fifty years of James Bond, almost to the day. The first chapter deals with Ian Fleming sitting down to write Casino Royale in 1952 and the last chapter highlights the start of production on the 20th James Bond film, Die Another Day, with details from the press event at Pinewood Studio’s on January 11, 2002. These two events are spaced 50 years apart, bar one day. In approaching the book in such a fashion the authors have presented a history of the world of James Bond, both literary and cinematic. With Fleming’s works overshadowed by James Bond’s cinematic incarnation, it is refreshing to find a book that still deals so heavily with Fleming.” – Read the entire review here.

Bond Films: Virgin Film

Buy: Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

“The most interesting sections, and those which make this a successful book, are those which discuss scenes cut from the film, source to screen information, real world influences and parallels, product placement details, critics responses to the film and social references in the film. It is the latter which may prove to be the most interesting to Bond fans as they summarize information which hasn’t previously been made readily available.” – Read the entire review here.

The Spy Who Thrilled Us

Buy: Amazon.co.uk
or Amazon.com

“And I knew, while I couldn’t necessarily say this book must be on every Bond fan’s bookshelf, I can easily say The Spy Who Thrilled Us should be in the pocket of every Bond fan when meeting other fans.” – Read the entire review here.

Bond Girls Are Forever

Buy: Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

“For author John Cork the hardest book to follow on from must have been James Bond: The Legacy. And with Maryam d’Abo as co-writer he has done that with Bond Girls Are Forever, but only to an extent. Legacy was such a brilliant work that it is almost impossible to follow on from, especially when trying to generate the same sort of impact.” – Read the entire review here.

James Bond: The Secret World of 007

Buy: Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

James Bond: The Secret World of 007 (picture of cover) offers readers a chance to look at the films by selecting certain scenes in the films up to The World is not Enough and acting some of them out, showing you where the actors and actresses move. It also provides information on the characters, gadgets and other items.

The Essential Bond: The Authorized Guide to the World of 007

Buy: Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

This James Bond book by Lee Pfeiffer and Dave Worrall gives fans an overview for the James Bond films, breaking each of them down into sections such as Villains, Music, Product Placement and more. There are some behind-the-scenes photographs included as well. While more for a beginning Bond fan rather than one looking for hard-to-find information, this book would be a welcomed addition to any fan’s shelf.