The James Bond Phenomenon: A Critical Reader now available

The second edition of Christoph Lindner’s The James Bond Phenomenon: A Critical Reader has finally been released in the United States.

Originally published in the UK and US at the end of 2003, The James Bond Phenomenon: A Critical Reader features various essays examining from different perspectives the cultural icon that 007 has become.

This new edition of The James Bond Phenomenon: A Critical Reader is published in paperback by Manchester University Press. At 272 pages in length, it retails for $24.95. An Amazon order link follows at the end of this article.

The book’s original blurb follows:

The James Bond Phenomenon: A Critical Reader (2nd ed.)

Sean Connery’s tuxedo, Ursula Andress’ bikini, Oddjob’s bowler hat, and Q’s gadgets are just a few defining features of the 007 world examined in this text. Drawn from the fields of literary, film, music and cultural studies, the essays in this collection range from revitalized readings of Ian Fleming’s spy novels to the analysis of Pussy Galore’s lesbianism, Miss Monneypenny’s filmic feminism and Pierce Brosnan’s techno-fetishism.

Together the essays not only consider the James Bond novels and films in relation to their historical, political and social contexts, from the Cold-War period onwards, but also examine the classic bond canon from an array of theoretical perspectives. What the text aims to show is that there is much more to the 007 series than cheap thrills, fast cars and beautiful women.

With essays by Umberto Eco, Tony Bennett, Tara Brabazon, Toby Miller and Jim Leach, among others, Lindner illustrates not only how the Bond character has conquered the globe, but has sustained its pre-eminence across six decades. Starting with the original books and moving through the films, the music and the marketing, this study should be of use to students of film, media, popular literature, marketing and cultural studies.

• Order the paperback edition of The James Bond Phenomenon: A Critical Reader (2nd ed.) from Amazon.com

Keep turning to the CommanderBond.net main page and our Discussion Forums for the most up-to-date literary James Bond coverage on the web.

Sebastian Faulks' A Week in December set for March release in US

A Week in December, the latest novel from Devil May Care author Sebastian Faulks, is due to be released in the US this upcoming March.

This new book is the first contemporary novel written by Faulks. Besides his 2008 Ian Fleming centenary James Bond adventure, some of his other works include Birdsong, Human Traces and Engelby.

First released in the UK in September of last year, the US release date is currently scheduled for 9 March.

The official publication blurb follows:

Sebastian Faulks’ A Week in December

A Week in December is Sebastian Faulks’ first wholly contemporary novel. Set in London, it’s a brilliant social satire, structured like a thriller, that takes place over the course of a single week at the end of 2007.

It brings together an intriguing cast of characters, each apparently in his or her own world but – as gradually becomes clear – ultimately intricately related. The anti-hero, John Veals, is a shadily successful and boundlessly ambitious Dickensian figure who is trading billions and other characters include a teenage Muslim fanatic, a Polish footballer, a female tube driver, a literary critic, a care worker and a chutney tycoon. As the story builds to its climax, Faulks pulls together powerful ideas about family, money, religion, and the way we live now.

To be published by Doubleday, the US edition of A Week in December will retail for $27.95 and can currently be pre-ordered online:

• Order the UK hardback edition of A Week in December from Amazon.co.uk
• Order the UK audiobook edition of A Week in December from Amazon.co.uk
• Order the US hardback edition of A Week in December from Amazon.com

For up-to-the-minute literary James Bond coverage, always turn your browsers to the CommanderBond.net main page and our Discussion Forums.

007 parody by Sebastian Faulks to get paperback reprint this year

Sebastian Faulks’ Pistache

A new paperback edition of Pistache, a collection of fanciful, satirical and surprising parodies, squibs and pastiches from Devil May Care author Sebastian Faulks, is due to be released this June in the UK.

Originally released in late 2006, this amusing collection featured the author’s first take on a James Bond adventure (of sorts) with the inclusion of Ian Fleming Thinks Even James Bond Goes Shopping, a story featuring 007 on a dangerous mission in a supermarket.

For a more detailed look at this Bond parody, check out the CommanderBond.net article: Even James Bond Goes Shopping.

Pistache will be published by Arrow Books Ltd. on 3 June 2010 and will retail for £6.99. Pre-order at a discounted price now at Amazon.co.uk…

• Order the UK paperback edition of Pistache from Amazon.co.uk

Keep visiting the CommanderBond.net main page and our Discussion Forums for the most up-to-date literary 007 coverage on the web.

Charlie Higson's By Royal Command released as an unabridged audiobook

It was only a few days ago that an unabridged MP3 CD audiobook of Charlie Higson’s debut Young James Bond adventure, SilverFin, was released in the UK, and now there’s another one available for his latest, By Royal Command.

According to the Young Bond Dossier, this new edition of the fifth Young Bond adventure is published by Chivers Children’s Audiobooks and available to order online via alerts us to this new release, which can currently be ordered from BBC Audiobooks, where it retails for £36.60.

This audiobook version of SilverFin is read by Nathaniel Parker, who has previously lent his voice to the previous Young Bond audiobook releases.

• Order the MP3 CD audiobook edition of By Royal Command from BBC Audiobooks

Keep your browsers pinpointed on the CommanderBond.net main page and our Discussion Forums for all the latest news from the world of Young Bond.

Discuss this Young Bond news in this thread on the CBn Forums, the largest James Bond 007 forum in the world.

SilverFin – Literary 007 Coverage

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Double or Die – Literary 007 Coverage

Hurricane Gold – Literary 007 Coverage

By Royal Command – Literary 007 Coverage

The Charlie Higson CBn Interview

The Charlie Higson CBn Interview II

CBn Reviews Young Bond #1: SilverFin

CBn Reviews Young Bond #2: Blood Fever

CBn Reviews Young Bond #3: Double Or Die

CBn Reviews Young Bond #4: Hurricane Gold

CBn Reviews SilverFin: The Graphic Novel

Historical Dictionary of Ian Fleming's World of Intelligence: Fact and Fiction available now

Literary James Bond fans in the UK can now order Nigel West’s new book, Historical Dictionary of Ian Fleming’s World of Intelligence: Fact and Fiction.

Fusing together entries on Fleming’s famous 00-agent James Bond and detailed information on cases of espionage, real-life spies, MI5, SIS, CIA, KGB, and others, Historical Dictionary of Ian Fleming’s World of Intelligence: Fact and Fiction asks the question: What proportion of Fleming’s output is authentic, and what comes directly from the his imagination?

Released in late 2009 in the US, Historical Dictionary of Ian Fleming’s World of Intelligence: Fact and Fiction is published in hardback by The Scarecrow Press and retails for £49.95 / $80.00.

Amazon order links follow at the end of this article.

Nigel West’s Historical Dictionary of Ian Fleming’s World of Intelligence: Fact and Fiction

Twelve novels and nine short stories define one of the most extraordinary fictional characters of all time, creating the basis for the most successful movie series in cinematographic history, watched by more than half the world’s population. The single person probably more responsible than any other for glamorizing the murky world of espionage is Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond, who himself lived a remarkable double life of spy and writer. Everyone has an opinion on why 007 became so successful, but one possible explanation is the ingenious formula of fact, fiction, and sheer fantasy. Certainly the author drew on friends and places he knew well to provide the backdrop for his drama, but what proportion of his output is authentic, and what comes directly from the author’s imagination?

These questions and more are examined in the Historical Dictionary of Ian Fleming’s World of Intelligence: Fact and Fiction. This is done through a chronology, an introduction, a bibliography, and hundreds of cross-referenced dictionary entries on actual cases of espionage, real-life spies, MI5, SIS, CIA, KGB, and others. It also contains entries on Ian Fleming’s novels and short stories, family and friends, his employers and colleagues, and other notable characters.

• Order Historical Dictionary of Ian Fleming’s World of Intelligence: Fact and Fiction from Amazon.co.uk
• Order Historical Dictionary of Ian Fleming’s World of Intelligence: Fact and Fiction from Amazon.com

Keep your eyes on the CommanderBond.net main page and our Discussion Forums for all the latest literary James Bond news.

Ian Fleming's From Russia with Love gets the Penguin Decades treatment

This upcoming April will see Ian Fleming’s fifth James Bond adventure, 1957’s From Russia with Love, reissued in the UK as part of the Penguin Decades series—a collection of works that helped shape modern Britain.

This new edition of From Russia with Love will be in paperback format and feature all-new cover artwork. Retail price is £8.99.

Ian Fleming’s From Russia with Love

Penguin Decades bring you the novels that helped shape modern Britain. When they were published, some were bestsellers, some were considered scandalous, and others were simply misunderstood. All represent their time and helped define their generation, while today each is considered a landmark work of storytelling.

Ian Fleming’s From Russia with Love was published in 1957 and made suave, steely secret agent James Bond an icon. Here 007 encounters the deadly machinations of Russian organisation SMERSH, the fiendish Colonel Rosa Klebb—and the irresistible beauty Tatiana Romanova—in one of the most thrilling classic novels of the Cold War.

This 007 title is due for release on 1 April 2010. While not yet available to pre-order, a listing for this 007 novel is active on Amazon.co.uk, so keep an eye on it…

• Order the UK paperback edition of From Russia with Love on Amazon.co.uk

Be sure to keep checking the CommanderBond.net main page and our Discussion Forums for all the latest news from the world of James Bond.

Paperback edition of Charlie Higson's Danger Society available for pre-order

Danger Society: The Young Bond Dossier

Charlie Higson’s indepth guide to the Young James Bond series is scheduled to arrive in paperback this upcoming June in the UK.

The always up-to-date Young Bond Dossier reports that literary 007 fans will be able to pick up the paperback edition of Danger Society: The Young Bond Dossier on 3 June 2010.

Published by Puffin Books, this edition of Danger Society: The Young Bond Dossier will retail for £6.99. Cover artwork is forthcoming.

Touted as the complete and definitive guide to Higson’s Young Bond, the aptly-titled Danger Society: The Young Bond Dossier includes in-depth character profiles, information on the cars, weapons and exotic locations, plus photographs, maps, and illustrations by artist Kev Walker.

As an added bonus, the book also features a brand new Young Bond story by Higson entitled A Hard Man to Kill. For more details on that story, click here.

• Order the UK paperback edition of Danger Society: The Young Bond Dossier from Amazon.co.uk

Be sure to keep checking the CommanderBond.net main page and our Discussion Forums for all the latest Young Bond-related news.

Discuss this Young Bond news in this thread on the CBn Forums, the largest James Bond 007 forum in the world.

SilverFin – Literary 007 Coverage

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Double or Die – Literary 007 Coverage

Hurricane Gold – Literary 007 Coverage

By Royal Command – Literary 007 Coverage

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CBn Reviews Young Bond #3: Double Or Die

CBn Reviews Young Bond #4: Hurricane Gold

CBn Reviews SilverFin: The Graphic Novel

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Charlie Higson's SilverFin released as unabridged MP3 audiobook

An unabridged MP3 CD audiobook of Charlie Higson’s debut Young James Bond adventure, SilverFin, has been released in the UK by Chivers Children’s Audiobooks.

The Young Bond Dossier alerts us to this new release, which can currently be ordered from BBC Audiobooks, where it retails for £36.50.

This audiobook version of SilverFin is read by Nathaniel Parker, who has previously lent his voice to the previous Young Bond audiobook releases.

• Order the MP3 CD audiobook edition of SilverFin from BBC Audiobooks

Keep your browsers pinpointed on the CommanderBond.net main page and our Discussion Forums for all the latest Young Bond news as it becomes available.

Discuss this Young Bond news in this thread on the CBn Forums, the largest James Bond 007 forum in the world.

SilverFin – Literary 007 Coverage

Blood Fever – Literary 007 Coverage

Double or Die – Literary 007 Coverage

Hurricane Gold – Literary 007 Coverage

By Royal Command – Literary 007 Coverage

The Charlie Higson CBn Interview

The Charlie Higson CBn Interview II

CBn Reviews Young Bond #1: SilverFin

CBn Reviews Young Bond #2: Blood Fever

CBn Reviews Young Bond #3: Double Or Die

CBn Reviews Young Bond #4: Hurricane Gold

CBn Reviews SilverFin: The Graphic Novel

The James Bond Phenomenon: A Critical Reader pushed to 19 January release

The forthcoming second edition of Christoph Lindner’s The James Bond Phenomenon: A Critical Reader has unfortunately been delayed once more—to 19 January 2010.

Originally published in the UK and US at the end of 2003, The James Bond Phenomenon: A Critical Reader features various essays examining from different perspectives the cultural icon that 007 has become.

This new edition of The James Bond Phenomenon: A Critical Reader is published in paperback by Manchester University Press. At 272 pages in length, it retails for $24.95. A pre-order link follows at the end of this article.

The book’s original blurb follows:

The James Bond Phenomenon: A Critical Reader (2nd ed.)

Sean Connery’s tuxedo, Ursula Andress’ bikini, Oddjob’s bowler hat, and Q’s gadgets are just a few defining features of the 007 world examined in this text. Drawn from the fields of literary, film, music and cultural studies, the essays in this collection range from revitalized readings of Ian Fleming’s spy novels to the analysis of Pussy Galore’s lesbianism, Miss Monneypenny’s filmic feminism and Pierce Brosnan’s techno-fetishism.

Together the essays not only consider the James Bond novels and films in relation to their historical, political and social contexts, from the Cold-War period onwards, but also examine the classic bond canon from an array of theoretical perspectives. What the text aims to show is that there is much more to the 007 series than cheap thrills, fast cars and beautiful women.

With essays by Umberto Eco, Tony Bennett, Tara Brabazon, Toby Miller and Jim Leach, among others, Lindner illustrates not only how the Bond character has conquered the globe, but has sustained its pre-eminence across six decades. Starting with the original books and moving through the films, the music and the marketing, this study should be of use to students of film, media, popular literature, marketing and cultural studies.

• Order the paperback edition of The James Bond Phenomenon: A Critical Reader (2nd ed.) from Amazon.com

Keep turning to the CommanderBond.net main page and our Twitter feed for the most up-to-date literary James Bond coverage on the web.

Conversations with Kingsley Amis now available

Conversations with Kinglsley Amis, edited by Thomas DePietro, is now available to order online.

Although the British author is known around the world for his many novels, poetry collections and short stories and has been called ‘the finest British comic novelist of the second half of the twentieth century’, James Bond fans best know Amis as the man behind the first 007 continuation novel, 1968’s Colonel Sun.

Conversations with Kinglsley Amis is available in paperback format, published by the University Press of Mississippi.

Kingsley Amis

“If you can’t annoy somebody, there’s little point in writing” – Kingsley Amis

Soon after Kingsley Amis (1922-1995) published his first novel, Lucky Jim, in 1954, he became an object of literary and journalistic scrutiny. This attention would continue until his last days, four decades and forty books later. Conversations with Kingsley Amis includes both the first and last interviews Amis gave. Celebrated by reviewers and critics for his wit and irreverence, Amis rose to the occasion whenever interviewed. His clever and common-sense views covered everything from the state of the novel and current intellectual trends to the circumstances of his domestic life.

Not many writers can hold the interest of inquisitors from both Penthouse and the Economist as Amis does. Not many writers, for that matter, articulate views worth recording on sexual relations, about which Amis is something of a failed expert, and on the modern university, about which he could claim a greater authority. English periodicals of all varieties sought out Amis for his opinions on culture, both high and low. Along the way, Amis also entertained literary interrogators from the Paris Review and other journals, including talks with a number of distinguished men of letters such as Clive James, Michael Barber, and John Mortimer.

Conversations with Kinglsley Amis will retail for $22.00 / £21.00. Order online:

• Order Conversations with Kinglsley Amis from Amazon.co.uk
• Order Conversations with Kinglsley Amis from Amazon.com

For up-to-the-minute literary James Bond coverage, always turn your browsers to the CommanderBond.net main page. Be sure to check out our new Twitter feed as well.