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  1. Latest Literary 007 Release Round-up

    By Devin Zydel on 2009-03-31

    This week sees the release of various James Bond-related books in both the US.

    Due out tomorrow are three biographies, one for Sean Connery, another for Daniel Craig and lastly the reissue of Andrew Lycett’s in-depth examination of 007’s creator, Ian Fleming.

    Daniel Craig: The Illustrated Biography

    Daniel Craig

    Daniel Craig

    Daniel Craig: The Illustrated Biography looks at the life of this notoriously private actor, including his film and television appearances, his two-year marriage to Scottish actress Fiona Loudon (with whom he had a daughter, Ella) and his long-standing relationships with actress Heike Makatsch and film producer Satsuki Mitchell.

    From humble beginnings on the Wirral, Merseyside in England where his mother was an art teacher and his father was the landlord of the Ring o’ Bells pub, Daniel Craig has worked long and hard for the high-profile career and international acclaim that are now his. Leaving home at the age of sixteen to join the National Youth Theatre in London, Daniel studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama before landing a series of minor roles in British television series, including the swashbuckling Sharpe’s Eagle with Sean Bean. Daniel’s first major break in a leading TV role came in the BBC TV series Our Friends In The North in 1996, when he was twenty-seven years old. Further TV work followed until he landed the role of Angelina Jolie’s lover in the 2001 movie Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. Establishing his Hollywood credentials, Daniel went on to appear in movies such as Sword of Honour and Road To Perdition, leading to his first starring role in 2004 in the thriller, Layer Cake.

    By now a movie veteran with more than a dozen film acting roles under his belt. Daniel would go on to appear in another handful of films before it became known, early in 2005, that he was to become the sixth official screen Bond in the twenty-first Bond movie, Casino Royale. Although his appointment was controversial, heavily criticized by some Bond fans, his performance was widely praised. Having signed a multi-million dollar contract to appear in five Bond movies, Daniel will next appear, “Licensed to Kill” as 007, in the November 2008 release Quantum of Solace. Daniel has other movie roles slated for 2009, including I Lucifer, before beginning work on the as yet untitled Bond 23.


    Sean Connery: Neither Shaken Nor Stirred

    This is a biography of the actor, Sean Connery, who was born and brought up in an Edinburgh tenement, the son of a van driver and a charlady. Having left school at 13 and had a variety of jobs, including brickie and milkman, he spent three years in the Navy until invalided out with ulcers, and took up body-building and won a bronze medal in a Mr Universe contest.

    Deciding on an acting career, he made his film debut in 1956 and the major break came with his appearance in the first James Bond film, Dr No. The book traces Connery’s career and also examines the contradictions of the man himself – one who is renowned for watching the pennies but gives generously to charities; a dedicated Scottish Nationalist who lives as an unrepentant tax exile; a star who sues film companies whilst being admired throughout the industry for professionalism, hard work and commitment; a sex symbol barely touched by scandal.


    Ian Fleming: The Man Behind James Bond

    Ian Fleming

    Ian Fleming

    Ian Fleming’s life was just as dramatic as that of his fictional creation–James Bond 007. Andrew Lycett’s direct access to Fleming’s family, friends nd contemporaries has enabled him to reveal–for the first time–the truth behind the complicated fa&ccedilade of this enigmatic and remarkable man.

    With an extraordinary cast of characters, this is biography at its best–part history part gossip, part informed reassessment of one of the century’s most celebrated yet mysterious personalities.

    CommanderBond.net will continue to keep you updated on all the latest literary James Bond news and coverage.

    To keep track of all the upcoming 007 releases, events, television shows, and more, check out the CBn Calendar, located on the right panel of our main page.