Bond books - recommendation?

[kxux]

I have seen many of the Bond movies, but I'd like to read few of Ian Fleming's books. Which one would you recommend I start with?

I need something else than technical manuals a business books for a change...

Thanks.

To make it little bit relevant - here is my Exp I. Really love wearing this one a lot.

[Boothroyd]

Well, read them in order if you want to see Fleming develop Bond's background and the character: Casino Royale, Live and Let Die,Moonraker,Diamonds Are Forever, From Russia With Love,Doctor No, Goldfinger, For Your Eyes Only , Thunderball, The Spy Who Loved Me, On Her Majesty's Secret Service,You Only Live Twice, and The Man With the Golden Gun.

If you want to read one or two, definitely read From Russia With Love and On Her Majesty's Secret Service. Live and Let Die and Dr. No are worth reading after those two.

The books differ significantly from the movies, don't forget.

Leave the short stories Octopussy and The Living Daylights until the end.

[KKB]

Dr. No and Thunderball are both good Ian Fleming Bond books to start with.

[Boothroyd]

They also just announced a new recorded -book format, if that is more convenient while commuting: http://www.mi6-hq.com/sections/artic..._reloaded.php3

[Boothroyd]

Better yet, take time off work, get the books, and read them where Fleming wrote them--Goldeneye: http://www.goldeneye.com/site/stay/fleming-villa/

[kxux]

Originally Posted by Boothroyd

Well, read them in order if you want to see Fleming develop Bond's background and the character: Casino Royale, Live and Let Die,Moonraker,Diamonds Are Forever, From Russia With Love,Doctor No, Goldfinger, For Your Eyes Only , Thunderball, The Spy Who Loved Me, On Her Majesty's Secret Service,You Only Live Twice, and The Man With the Golden Gun.

If you want to read one or two, definitely read From Russia With Love and On Her Majesty's Secret Service. Live and Let Die and Dr. No are worth reading after those two.

The books differ significantly from the movies, don't forget.

Leave the short stories Octopussy and The Living Daylights until the end.

Thanks - this is what I was looking for. I'll start from the first one and keep going. I'm sure they will be more to my liking thank Harry Potter or Lord of he Rings that I admit I gave up after some 100 pages. Just could not get into them.

Fleming should keep me entertained.

[kxux]

Originally Posted by Boothroyd

They also just announced a new recorded -book format, if that is more convenient while commuting: http://www.mi6-hq.com/sections/artic..._reloaded.php3

I may do some recorded. But I'm likely to buy few in eBook format for the plane. Some trips coming up.

[kxux]

Originally Posted by Boothroyd

Better yet, take time off work, get the books, and read them where Fleming wrote them--Goldeneye: http://www.goldeneye.com/site/stay/fleming-villa/

That looks nice man. I recall last time I was in Jamaica someone attempted to sell me pot while I was swimming. Just casually rolled to me in his boat and offered me a purchase. That was very unusual way to be offered something like that. Needless to say I passed on that offer.

But the villa looks great. Bookmarking for future.

[Boothroyd]

One last comment. Moonraker will disappoint as a thriller, but gives a really good view of London/England after the war. Diamonds are Forever is where the formula was really entrenched. Favorite line from Casino Royale, "he was a traveler in watches". Enjoy.

[Mr. Greene]

Definately start at the beginning, Casino Royale and read them in order. Be prepared the books are very different from the movies. A few years ago I started reading them and went thru all the Fleming books and short stories then started on the John Gardner series which was a good series that kept the same style. I was sorry when I ran out of books to read. They gave me a new appreciation for Ian Fleming and the icon he created.

[kxux]

Originally Posted by Mr. Greene

Definately start at the beginning, Casino Royale and read them in order. Be prepared the books are very different from the movies. A few years ago I started reading them and went thru all the Fleming books and short stories then started on the John Gardner series which was a good series that kept the same style. I was sorry when I ran out of books to read. They gave me a new appreciation for Ian Fleming and the icon he created.

Sounds good. I did read one of his books in Czech - back when I lived in Europe. This time I want to read them in order - heading to Amazon now to buy the first one. I'm sure they will be different from movies as most books are...

Thanks guys for direction. Always appreciate the advice I get here not only on watches, but also other topics like this one.

[BH13GMT]

Thunderball is a good Fleming novel, the story and the film dont differ too much. The Bond novels are an easy read and you can get through them pretty quickly.

[rodrob59]

Once you're done with the Fleming novels and short story collections, Jan, pick up "Colonel Sun" written in 1969. It keeps the same Bond rather than the revamped 007 that came along later.

And remember, this isn't the movie Bond. I think you'll like him a lot better.

I did this for the first time on summer of 1983. Without the Internet it took lots of used bookstore visits to get them all, but well worth it.

[davestan]

....and if you want to learn about Fleming I can recommend this biography:
Ian Fleming The Man Behind James Bond By Andrew Lycett

[kxux]

Originally Posted by davestan

....and if you want to learn about Fleming I can recommend this biography:
Ian Fleming The Man Behind James Bond By Andrew Lycett

Great. Looks like I have my summer reading set for this year. Started Casino Royale - so far reads well. Thanks guys again for your help.

[Boothroyd]

Great, Jan. I hope you enjoy them!

You know I had to consult the web more than a few times while reading them to look up terms, pictures of cars, locales, etc. of 1950's/60's Europe. Anyway, enjoy!

[lavaman]

thanks for info. i was looking for some summer reading anyway.

as always, good info from good blokes (bloke-ettes?)