What Bond reference book are you reading?

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  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    edited June 2019 Posts: 17,727
    007InVT wrote: »
    Just picked up a rare copy of 007 James Bond: a Report by O. F. Snelling.

    Highly recommended. The updated online version can be found here: http://spywise.net/wbf/microscope.pdf

    I remember buying and reading this one in the mid 60s. Still got it somewhere. A great and readable analysis of the Bond phenomenom. I always had my nose in it. Reread it several times

    Yes, that's certainly one of the early literary Bond analysis classics all right, along with Kingsley Amis' The James Bond Dossier (1965). In fact, Snelling's book was the first off the press about the literary James Bond in particular and probably about James Bond in general.

    It certainly gives a very vivid sense of what it was like to be a Bond fan in the early 1960s as Bondmania was unfolding and for that I love it! I first found it in 1997 in a secondhand bookshop and it still remains one of my favourite books on Bond.
  • Dragonpol wrote: »

    It certainly gives a very vivid sense of what it was like to be a Bond fan in the early 1960s as Bondmania was unfolding and for that I love it! I first found it in 1997 in a secondhand bookshop and it still remains one of my favourite books on Bond.

    Absolutely!!. Includes a wonderful section about the opening of From Russia With Love in October 1963 which was spot on in terms of the excitement and expectation generated.

  • MaxCasinoMaxCasino United States
    edited July 2019 Posts: 4,049
    Reading Currently: The Making of On Her Majesty's Secret Service by Charles Helfenstein.

    I have a huge pile of James Bond books in general, I have read Some Kind of Hero by Ajay Chowdhury and Matthew Field. Great read, but it's funny how they talk about Danny Boyle doing Bond 25 before his leaving. Bond 25 will have a interesting reference book of it's own one day.
  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    Posts: 23,102
    Slowly working my way through Some Kind of Hero on my Kindle, though I have six or seven books on going at the moment.
  • Posts: 6,727
    MaxCasino wrote: »
    Reading Currently: The Making of On Her Majesty's Secret Service by Charles Helfenstein.

    I have a huge pile of James Bond books in general, I have read Some Kind of Hero by Ajay Chowdhury and Matthew Field. Great read, but it's funny how they talk about Danny Boyle doing Bond 25 before his leaving. Bond 25 will have a interesting reference book of it's own one day.

    That book about OHMSS is superb. The one on TLD by the same author is also excellent reading!
  • MaxCasinoMaxCasino United States
    edited July 2019 Posts: 4,049
    Mathis1 wrote: »
    MaxCasino wrote: »
    Reading Currently: The Making of On Her Majesty's Secret Service by Charles Helfenstein.

    I have a huge pile of James Bond books in general, I have read Some Kind of Hero by Ajay Chowdhury and Matthew Field. Great read, but it's funny how they talk about Danny Boyle doing Bond 25 before his leaving. Bond 25 will have a interesting reference book of it's own one day.

    That book about OHMSS is superb. The one on TLD by the same author is also excellent reading!

    It's arguably next on my list! I have also read James Bond in Our Sights: A Close Look at A View to a Kill by Andrew McNess. Highly Recommended! It goes in depth about things and characters that make the film a bit underrated.
  • edited July 2019 Posts: 6,727
    MaxCasino wrote: »
    Mathis1 wrote: »
    MaxCasino wrote: »
    Reading Currently: The Making of On Her Majesty's Secret Service by Charles Helfenstein.

    I have a huge pile of James Bond books in general, I have read Some Kind of Hero by Ajay Chowdhury and Matthew Field. Great read, but it's funny how they talk about Danny Boyle doing Bond 25 before his leaving. Bond 25 will have a interesting reference book of it's own one day.

    That book about OHMSS is superb. The one on TLD by the same author is also excellent reading!

    It's arguably next on my list! I have also read James Bond in Our Sights: A Close Look at A View to a Kill by Andrew McNess. Highly Recommended! It goes in depth about things and characters that make the film a bit underrated.

    I've just purchased the book.
    And "He disagreed with something that ate him" by Cary Edwards, looking at both of Daltons movies! Plan to read both over the Summer.
  • Agent_99Agent_99 enjoys a spirited ride as much as the next girl
    Posts: 3,099
    Mathis1 wrote: »
    And "He disagreed with something that ate him" by Cary Edwards, looking at both of Daltons movies! Plan to read both over the Summer.

    I've just read this one - a quick read, but I enjoyed it a great deal.
  • Posts: 6,727
    Agent_99 wrote: »
    Mathis1 wrote: »
    And "He disagreed with something that ate him" by Cary Edwards, looking at both of Daltons movies! Plan to read both over the Summer.

    I've just read this one - a quick read, but I enjoyed it a great deal.

    Thanks for that! Anything to do with Dalton should be good!
  • Posts: 6,727
    Well, Agent99 Is correct. A quick read indeed, but I did enjoy reading 'He disagreed with something that ate him!"
    Its funny, one of the truest things author Cary Edwards says, has nothing to do with Daltons films, but his opinion of SF, which and I quote "I found myself out of step with nearly the entire cinema going world. ....I found it non-sensical, the action poorly co-ordinated and the films treatment of women nauseating!"
  • MaxCasinoMaxCasino United States
    edited July 2019 Posts: 4,049
    Mathis1 wrote: »
    MaxCasino wrote: »
    Mathis1 wrote: »
    MaxCasino wrote: »
    Reading Currently: The Making of On Her Majesty's Secret Service by Charles Helfenstein.

    I have a huge pile of James Bond books in general, I have read Some Kind of Hero by Ajay Chowdhury and Matthew Field. Great read, but it's funny how they talk about Danny Boyle doing Bond 25 before his leaving. Bond 25 will have a interesting reference book of it's own one day.

    That book about OHMSS is superb. The one on TLD by the same author is also excellent reading!

    It's arguably next on my list! I have also read James Bond in Our Sights: A Close Look at A View to a Kill by Andrew McNess. Highly Recommended! It goes in depth about things and characters that make the film a bit underrated.

    I've just purchased the book.
    And "He disagreed with something that ate him" by Cary Edwards, looking at both of Dalton's movies! Plan to read both over the Summer.

    I just finished The Making of OHMSS. I enjoyed it both for it's story and history. A must keep for me, and a must have for both Bond fans and movie fans! I plan to read either The Making of TLD or He Disagreed With Something That Ate Him next!
  • MaxCasinoMaxCasino United States
    Posts: 4,049
    He Disagreed With Something That Ate Him is the winner! It's short (and sweet), based on what I've heard!
  • MaxCasinoMaxCasino United States
    Posts: 4,049
    MaxCasino wrote: »
    He Disagreed With Something That Ate Him is the winner! It's short (and sweet), based on what I've heard!

    I read it and I enjoyed it! It gives some love where it's needed. It also made me think about TD's films and how much similar and different they are too James Bond as a whole culture.
  • MaxCasinoMaxCasino United States
    Posts: 4,049
    Now The Making of The Living Daylights by Charles Helfenstein.
  • Agent_99Agent_99 enjoys a spirited ride as much as the next girl
    Posts: 3,099
    Finally starting Licence to Thrill: A Cultural History of the James Bond Films, which has been on the To Read pile for a couple of years since I picked it up in a charity shop. Published in 1999, so I won't get to find out what the author made of DAD (I think there's an updated version that includes Craig).

    jamesbond.jpg
  • Posts: 17,241
    Are there any "must-have" Bond reference books available as ebooks? I Just got myself a Kindle Paperwhite, and thought it might be a good idea to supplement my book collection with a few Bond reference books.
  • Max_The_ParrotMax_The_Parrot ATAC to St Cyril’s
    Posts: 2,426
    Are there any "must-have" Bond reference books available as ebooks? I Just got myself a Kindle Paperwhite, and thought it might be a good idea to supplement my book collection with a few Bond reference books.

    Not sure where you are based, but here in the UK the Kindle version of Benson’s much-admired ‘James Bond Bedside Companion’ is only a couple of pounds.
  • goldenswissroyalegoldenswissroyale Switzerland
    edited November 2019 Posts: 4,378
    MaxCasino wrote: »
    Now The Making of The Living Daylights by Charles Helfenstein.

    Finished? It is almost as fantastic as the onone about OHMSS. Two great books.
  • Posts: 1,879
    Ironically, I pulled out Benson's Bedside Companion this week to read a few passages. It celebrates its 35th year in my collection this Xmas when I received it as a gift. It was unique then in being the first such book to combine the novels and film series into one edition. I can only imagine what an undertaking that must've been at that time.

    Before, those subjects were covered separately and I always liked the way it broke down the books I hadn't yet read and their highlights along with the way it categorized subjects in both novels and films. It was a refreshing approach.

    With all the countless reference books about Bond currently available, it's interesting to look back to when this book was released that the only other major such books were John Brosnan's James Bond in the Cinema and Steven Jay Rubin's The James Bond Films, along with the two mid '60s paperbacks about the novels.
  • Posts: 17,241
    Are there any "must-have" Bond reference books available as ebooks? I Just got myself a Kindle Paperwhite, and thought it might be a good idea to supplement my book collection with a few Bond reference books.

    Not sure where you are based, but here in the UK the Kindle version of Benson’s much-admired ‘James Bond Bedside Companion’ is only a couple of pounds.

    I'm based in Norway, so I'm directed to the US store when I'm making a purchase – which in this case will be $3.99. Not much of a difference to the couple of pounds in the UK store, fortunately.

    Anyway, thanks for the suggestion. I haven't read the James Bond Bedside Companion before. :-)
    BT3366 wrote: »
    Ironically, I pulled out Benson's Bedside Companion this week to read a few passages. It celebrates its 35th year in my collection this Xmas when I received it as a gift. It was unique then in being the first such book to combine the novels and film series into one edition. I can only imagine what an undertaking that must've been at that time.

    Before, those subjects were covered separately and I always liked the way it broke down the books I hadn't yet read and their highlights along with the way it categorized subjects in both novels and films. It was a refreshing approach.

    With all the countless reference books about Bond currently available, it's interesting to look back to when this book was released that the only other major such books were John Brosnan's James Bond in the Cinema and Steven Jay Rubin's The James Bond Films, along with the two mid '60s paperbacks about the novels.

    Interesting! I was under the impression that the Bedside Companion only covered the books. Did Benson focus more on the books or the films?
  • DarthDimiDarthDimi Behind you!Moderator
    Posts: 23,447
    MaxCasino wrote: »
    Now The Making of The Living Daylights by Charles Helfenstein.

    Finished? It is almost as fantastic as the onone about OHMSS. Two great books.

    Absolutely. I wish Helfenstein would do more of those.
  • Max_The_ParrotMax_The_Parrot ATAC to St Cyril’s
    Posts: 2,426
    Interesting! I was under the impression that the Bedside Companion only covered the books. Did Benson focus more on the books or the films?

    Yep, it covers the films as well - up to TLD, although it’s probably better known for it’s excellent coverage of the books. The films have been covered in so many other books that you’d probably get less out of those sections. Like you I don’t have a physical copy and hadn’t read the book before, so it seemed like a no-brainer at the price (which is still the same price I paid about a year ago!)

    Hope you enjoy if you pick it up.
  • Posts: 1,879
    I never did get the updated versions of Bedside Compannion, just the initial one. Just as many of us wished John Brosnan had updated James Bond in the Cinema past MR, we never got an updated Bedside Companion beyond the late '80s. It's been said considering Benson became a continuation author that it more or less made it a conflict of interest.

    Fortunately, he's written for 007 Magazine and Cinema Retro, where he did the excellent recaps of various year of film history. I'm always interested in reading his thoughts.

    I'll also shout my enthusiasm/enthusiasm for Charles Helfenstein to continue on from OHMSS and TLD any time. Just maybe he'll surprise us one day as he did with those books, which came out kind of quietly.
  • edited November 2019 Posts: 17,241
    Interesting! I was under the impression that the Bedside Companion only covered the books. Did Benson focus more on the books or the films?

    Yep, it covers the films as well - up to TLD, although it’s probably better known for it’s excellent coverage of the books. The films have been covered in so many other books that you’d probably get less out of those sections. Like you I don’t have a physical copy and hadn’t read the book before, so it seemed like a no-brainer at the price (which is still the same price I paid about a year ago!)

    Hope you enjoy if you pick it up.

    At that price I'm sure I will pick it up! Look forward to reading it – especially the parts covering the books (as you write, there's enough content covering the films).
    BT3366 wrote: »
    I never did get the updated versions of Bedside Compannion, just the initial one. Just as many of us wished John Brosnan had updated James Bond in the Cinema past MR, we never got an updated Bedside Companion beyond the late '80s. It's been said considering Benson became a continuation author that it more or less made it a conflict of interest.

    Fortunately, he's written for 007 Magazine and Cinema Retro, where he did the excellent recaps of various year of film history. I'm always interested in reading his thoughts.

    I'll also shout my enthusiasm/enthusiasm for Charles Helfenstein to continue on from OHMSS and TLD any time. Just maybe he'll surprise us one day as he did with those books, which came out kind of quietly.

    I haven't read the TLD one, but the OHMSS book by Charles Helfenstein was a great read. It's a special film that deserved a book like that going into detail about the production. We can only hope Helfenstein writes another!
  • MaxCasinoMaxCasino United States
    Posts: 4,049
    DarthDimi wrote: »
    MaxCasino wrote: »
    Now The Making of The Living Daylights by Charles Helfenstein.

    Finished? It is almost as fantastic as the onone about OHMSS. Two great books.

    Absolutely. I wish Helfenstein would do more of those.

    Sorry for the late response, it was phenomenal! I agree with both of you, I hope Helfenstein writes another, maybe on Dr. No or Casino Royale.
  • ggl007ggl007 www.archivo007.com Spain, España
    Posts: 2,535
    MaxCasino wrote: »
    DarthDimi wrote: »
    MaxCasino wrote: »
    Now The Making of The Living Daylights by Charles Helfenstein.

    Finished? It is almost as fantastic as the onone about OHMSS. Two great books.

    Absolutely. I wish Helfenstein would do more of those.

    Sorry for the late response, it was phenomenal! I agree with both of you, I hope Helfenstein writes another, maybe on Dr. No or Casino Royale.

    Check this for Dr. No:

    137255_s0.jpg

    Really good: https://cinemaretro.com/index.php?/archives/6888-COMING-IN-OCTOBER-2012-CINEMA-RETROS-MOVIE-CLASSICS-PRESENTS-DR.-NO-SPECIAL-EDITION-ISSUE!.html
  • echoecho 007 in New York
    Posts: 5,921
    Currently reading The 007 Diaries, by Roger Moore.
  • goldenswissroyalegoldenswissroyale Switzerland
    Posts: 4,378
    echo wrote: »
    Currently reading The 007 Diaries, by Roger Moore.

    I read it last year and was a bit disappointed. His first autobiography was much more entertaining (imo).
  • Agent_99Agent_99 enjoys a spirited ride as much as the next girl
    Posts: 3,099
    Just found out about this (from an aeromodelling website, because that's my life now).

    04261.jpg
    Motorlegenden - James Bond


    Looks like it has a satisfying amount of detail - and, of particular interest to me, 'descriptions of the most beautiful stretches of road from the films'.
  • MaxCasinoMaxCasino United States
    Posts: 4,049
    I just finished The James Bond Movies of the 1980s by Thomas A. Christie. Greatly enjoyed it, as it played off of the real world events at the time and how James Bond reacted to them. Now I’m onto The Definitive Story of You Only Live Twice: Fleming, Bond and Connery in Japan. I’m looking forward to seeing a non continuation novel (The Man with the Red Tattoo) get recognized. To think EON almost made it into a movie!
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