Two Daniel Craig Biographies Coming To US In Spring 2008

Initially announced by CBn back in May of this year, two new Daniel Craig biographies were set for release this past September.

After being released in the UK, amazon.com has updated its listings to the reflect the new release date for US James Bond fans–April and May 2008.

The first of these books is Daniel Craig: The Biography by Sarah Marshall. Published by John Blake and retailing at $24.95, this hardback is due for release on 28 May 2008. The full blurb:

He’s gorgeous, tremendously talented, charming and sexy. His breathtaking performance as the new James Bond in Casino Royale won him legions of fans and proved that, as well as being an outstanding actor; he could cut it as an action hero and could re-define a cinematic icon to huge critical acclaim. Daniel Craig, arguably the most inspiring 007, has truly made it as an A-list film star. This fascinating and affectionate book reveals everything about Britain’s favourite leading man: how he endured poverty-stricken years when he was first struggling to make it as an actor in London; how he rejected the ‘trivial’ publicity that came when he started to make a name for himself; his relationships, including his marriage to a British actress with whom he has a daughter; plus his encounters with Sienna Miller and Kate Moss and how he has handled the adulation that has come from his new role as 007. This is the intriguing story of a supremely talented actor who has established his reputation, then defied expectations and silenced those who doubted his Bond would live up to its predecessors. It is essential reading for any Daniel Craig admirer and for the masses of film fans for whom his performance as Bond was an unforgettable cinematic experience.

The second, Daniel Craig – Ultimate Professional, by Daniel O’Brien, is due for release on 1 May. Retailing for $27.95, this hardback is published by Reynolds & Hearn. The blurb follows:

YOU KNOW HIS NAME – not only as the latest James Bond in Casino Royale, but also as XXXX in Layer Cake, Ben Driscoll in The Invasion and Lord Asriel in The Golden Compass. Yet Daniel Craig has long been recognised as one of the best British actors of his generation, a committed professional who is passionate about his work and has often shunned the lure of easy money in Hollywood blockbusters in favour of more challenging roles in low-budget European films.

Daniel Craig – Ultimate Professional takes an in-depth look at the career of the pub landlord’s son who made his acting debut at the age of six and rose to prominence through roles such as the tormented Geordie Peacock in Our Friends In The North, the schizophrenic Ray in Some Voices, the mercenary archeologist Alex West in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, the amorous carpenter Darren in The Mother, and the murderous Perry Smith in Infamous.

Fully illustrated throughout, Daniel Craig – Ultimate Professional also includes 16 pages of colour photos of the actor who was voted the sexiest man in the world in a recent poll.

• Order Daniel Craig: The Biography from Amazon.com
• Order Daniel Craig – Ultimate Professional from Amazon.com

Stay tuned to CBn for all the latest literary James Bond news.

New Hardback Editions Of Ian Fleming's James Bond Novels Available To Pre-order

Earlier this month, CBn reported the fantastic news that a 14 of Ian Fleming’s James Bond novels were due to be reprinted in new hardback editions, as part of the celebration of Ian Fleming’s centenary next year.

The Literary 007 now reports that these new editions, published as part of the Penguin 007 imprint by Michael Joseph Ltd, are each available for pre-order at amazon.co.uk. Each 007 novel will retail for £14.99 and all are set for release on 28 May 2008–the same day that Sebastian Faulks’ own Bond novel, Devil May Care, makes its debut.

No details on the cover artwork yet, but as soon as CBn has the details, so will you.

Keep watching CBn for all the latest literary James Bond news and coverage. To keep track of all the upcoming 007 releases, events, television shows, and more–just keep your eyes on the CBn Calendar, located on the right panel of our main page.

Charlie Higson Says More Adult James Bond Novels On The Way

The keen-eyed Literary 007 website has noted a particularly major piece of 007-related news that is included in the latest edition of Kiss Kiss Bang Bang magazine.

In a featured panel disussion (which originally took place in November 2006) between Young Bond author Charlie Higson, composer David Arnold and main title designer Daniel Kleinman, Higson makes a brief mention that Ian Fleming Publications (IFP) are planning more adult James Bond books in the future.

The key word to latch upon in Higson’s statement is ‘books’–not just one book, as in Sebastian Faulks’ upcoming centenary Bond novel, Devil May Care, but even more after that.

This news sets the stage for a flood of new questions. Who will be writing these books? Faulks? Higson? Someone new? Is there going to be a long-running series? When will these books be coming out? It really is a good time to be a Bond fan.

Do you have a specific question about the possibilities of new adult Bond novels? Or perhaps just a comment to make? Sound off here on the CommanderBond.net Forums.

Stay tuned to CBn for all the latest literary James Bond news.

French 'Double Or Die' ('Poker Fatal') Released Today

Back in June of this year, CBn reported that Double Or Die, Charlie Higson’s third Young James Bond novel, was due to be released in France under the title Poker Fatal.

The Young Bond Dossier reports today that this Young Bond novel has now been released. Cover artwork is based off the UK paperback design.

Bond fans can order Double Or Die (Poker Fatal) at amazon.fr. As with the previous releases of SilverFin and Blood Fever, this French edition of Double Or Die is published by Gallimard Jeunesse.

Keep watching CBn for all the latest Young Bond and literary 007 news.

Miss Moneypenny's Diaries Find A US Publisher

Samantha Weinberg’s James Bond spin-off series, The Moneypenny Diaries, will finally make its leap across the pond to coincide with the Ian Fleming Centenary celebrations.

The first instalment, Guardian Angel, will be published as a hardcover edition in the United States under St. Martin’s Press’ Thomas Dunne Books imprint. The novel will be released on 13 May 2008, retailing for US$23.95 and is currently available to pre-order on Amazon.com.

Guardian Angel was first released in the UK on 10 October 2005, and has since been followed by 2006’s Secret Servant and next year’s Final Fling, which will conclude the metafictional saga.

The first volume of diaries cover the period revolving around the Cuban Missile Crisis and the role Jane Moneypenny secretly played. In the present day, her neice, Kate Westbrook, begins to discover the mysteries hidden within Miss Moneypenny’s diaries.

St. Martin’s Press publish a range of leading authors, including Dan Brown, Robert Ludlum and Frederick Forsyth. The Thomas Dunne Books imprint specialises in suspense and mainstream novels.

CBn will bring you cover art as soon it emerges.

Keep watching the new-look CommanderBond.net for the most up-to-date literary James Bond news on the web.

Cover Art For 'James Bond: The Authorised Biography' Paperback Reprint Revealed

K1Bond007 today highlights Amazon.co.uk‘s updated listing for next year’s UK paperback reprint of John Pearson’s James Bond: The Authorised Biography Of 007 (like the recent UK hardback reissue, Of 007 has been dropped from the book’s title).

James Bond: The Authorised Biography Of 007

In particular, the listing now features the saucy cover art that will adorn Arrow Books’ paperback edition, due out on 1 May 2008. Curiously, the cover features a quote from a recent Daily Mail review, which was largely critical of the book.

First released in 1973, the book was reissued earlier this year by Century in a hardback edition. The metafictional novel purports to reveal the “true” story of Ian Fleming’s famous spy.

The website also notes that Amazon.com‘s US listing for the book, which was recently pulled from the site, has since reappeared with a release date of 27 November 2007. The US site also lists a paperback edition to be released on 24 June 2008. However, both share the same cover art and ISBNs as the UK editions, which suggests the US listings merely advertise the UK editions being released in the United States.

Keep watching the new-look CommanderBond.net for the latest literary James Bond news.

Penguin's Massive Marketing and Sales Plans For Sebastian Faulks' 'Devil May Care'

Penguin said they were planning a celebration of 007 in 2008, and it looks like they weren’t kidding.

The Bookseller reports that Penguin has set a UK hardback sales target of 250,000 copies for Devil May Care, the new James Bond novel by Sebastian Faulks due for release in May 2008 in honour of Ian Fleming’s centenary.

Additionally, the publisher has revealed that brand new hardback editions of all 14 of the original Fleming Bond novels are also on the way. To be published as part of the new Penguin 007 imprint, each title will retail for £14.99.

Penguin General m.d. Tom Weldon discussed the company’s world domination plans for 28 May 2008–the day Devil May Care hits sheves–with retailers last night: ‘Sebastian has written a tour de force… it is everything we hoped for and a couple of Martinis more.’ He promised an unmissable marketing and publicity campaign. ‘Imagine a speedboat coming down the Thames with the first copy… imagine [Penguin marketing chiefs] Joanna Prior and Naomi Fidler in gold lamé swimsuits abseiling down the building.’

Those in attendance were given a glimpse of the book’s cover, which was designed by The Partners and ‘features a single iconic image.’ The Partners is a London based brand agency whose clients include luxury brands such as Jaguar, De Beers, Harrods, and Sax Fifth Avenue.

Describing the novel, Faulks said he had retained about 80% of Fleming’s style and avoided deep psychological portraits. ‘It’s a period adventure in which I’ve tried to capture a playful spirit. This is not Bond meets Charlotte Gray… my Bond has no inner life.’ Favourite characters Felix Leiter and Miss Moneypenny will also both make a return.

• Order the UK hardback edition of Devil May Care from Amazon.co.uk
• Order the US hardback edition of Devil May Care from Amazon.com
• Order the US audiobook edition of Devil May Care from Amazon.com
• Order the US large print edition of Devil May Care from Amazon.com

Keep watching CBn for all the latest literary James Bond news and coverage.

UK Release Dates For 'Shark Bait' and 'The Paradise Plot' James Bond Collections

Back in May of this year, CBn reported that Titan’s upcoming James Bond collection, Shark Bait, would be released in the US on 12 February 2008. A listing then subsequently appeared on amazon.co.uk with the same release date.

Thanks to some clarifications posted at The Literary 007, we can now report that the Shark Bait Bond collection will be released in the UK on 25 January 2008 (despite the incorrect amazon date).

In addition, the newest collection, Titan’s The Paradise Plot, will be released in the UK on 27 June 2008. A US release on 15 July has already been set.

In addition to the title story, the Shark Bait collection also includes The Xanadu Connection (originally not syndicated in the UK) and Doomcrack. The latter represents the first of ultimately five Bond comic strips serialised in the Daily Star and is the one and only time Harry North served as the artist.

The Paradise Plot collects Deathmask in addition to the title story and features the return of artist John McLusky, who was absent from the series for roughly 15 years (his most recent Bond story up to that point was the 1965/1966 adaptation of You Only Live Twice).

Stay tuned for CBn for all the latest news on the Titan James Bond comic strip releases.

'The Numerous Lives Of James Bond' Released In France

A new book with the focus on 007 has been released in France. Les nombreuses vies de James Bond (The Numerous Lives Of James Bond) studies the method of well-known secret agent as well as his other famous colleagues such as Modesty Blair and John Steed.

Les nombreuses vies de James Bond is edited by Laurent Queyssi for Les Moutons Electriques. The book is part of the La bibliothèque rouge (‘The Red Library’) collection, which features original works celebrating the major figures of popular literature. Drafted by writers who take place among the best specialists of each of the characters; and with the cooperation of some of the best researchers in popular/thriller literature, every volume proposes a biography of the character—as if they had really existed.

Les nombreuses vies de James Bond, which was released on 6 October 2007, can currently be ordered at amazon.fr or www.moutons-electriques.com. The list price is €28.00.

Click here to view the cover artwork for Les nombreuses vies de James Bond.

Stay tuned to CBn for all the latest literary James Bond news.

Ian Fleming's James Bond Novels To Be Reprinted In France

According to a report from JamesBond-fr.com, Ian Fleming’s original James Bond novels are set to be reprinted in France.

Following up the reprint of Fleming’s Casino Royale last year, the website reports that the author’s second 007 adventure, Live and Let Die is set to be released on 22 November 2007 (click here to view the particularly striking cover design by Sarry Long). Moonraker is scheduled to follow in June 2008.

Reprinted by French publisher Bragelonne, the upcoming editon of Live and Let Die will once again be translated by Pierre Pevel, as was the case for last year’s reprint of Casino Royale.

Visit JamesBond-fr.com for further details on these upcoming James Bond novel reprints.

Stay tuned to CBn for all the latest literary James Bond news.