2008: The Centenary Year of IAN FLEMING,
the creator of James Bond, Agent 007
By Lawrence Jung
The statistics are staggering. Over 100 million James Bond books have been sold. Over half the world's population has seen a Bond movie. The first 007 book, CASINO ROYALE, introduced James Bond in 1953. The first Bond movie, Dr. No, was released in 1962. From Russia with Love, the second Bond movie and Goldfinger, the third Bond movie, broke box office records for ticket sales. A global entertainment franchise was spawned that not only survived the death of the creator of James Bond, Ian Fleming in 1964, but became the most popular and lucrative fictional spy of all time. Eight years into the 21st century and Fleming's creation is more popular than ever, both in print and in film. The 14 original Bond books penned by Ian Fleming have been continually reprinted. After Fleming's death, several different authors continued 007's adventures that made the best seller's list. Daniel Craig is the fifth and latest actor to star as James Bond in the movies.
Penguin has gone all out to celebrate the centenary of Fleming's birth (May 28, 1908) by issuing a special Penguin 007 imprint. A new uniform hardback edition of the 14 original James Bond books written by Ian Fleming will be released May 28, 2008 to coincide with Fleming's birthday. This will be the first time all the Fleming titles will be reprinted in affordable hardback by the same publisher. Due to rights being owned by different publishers, ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE, YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE, THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN, and OCTOPUSSY were not included in the reprints of the other Bond titles. Only in 2003, did Penguin obtain the rights for all the James Bond books by Fleming and a uniform trade paper edition was released. In addition on May 19, Penguin will release under the Penguin 007 imprint QUANTUM OF SOLACE: The Complete James Bond Short Stories. This will be the first time all the 007 short stories penned by Fleming will be collected in one volume.
Penguin is not through. It will release a new James Bond book also on May 28. DEVIL MAY CARE is the brand new Bond book by popular author Sebastian Faulk. It is expected to be an international sensation. Faulk's story is set in the Cold War. The rest of the story is a guarded secret.
Fans of the Bond films will not be disappointed. Quantum of Solace, starring Daniel Craig is scheduled for a November release this year. Quantum continues the story of James Bond and Vesper Lynd in Casino Royale. Daniel Craig continues his role as 007 in Quantum. Unlike the other Bond films, Craig plays a Bond who has just earned his double - O, his license to kill. Casino Royale is his first operation as 007. His victory over Le Chiffre, a major financier to international terrorist, is bitter-sweet. Vesper Lynd, the woman Bond loves, dies. Bond later learns it was Vesper who betrayed him. Quantum of Solace is Bond's search for those who blackmailed Vesper into betraying him. He gets a lead when forensic intelligence uncovers a traitor in MI6. "Trust no one," M tells Bond. The movie was shot in Italy, Panama, Chili, Peru, and Austria. Dame Judi Dench reprises her role as M.
Incidental Intelligence.
To celebrate the centenary of Ian Fleming's birth (May 28, 1908), the Royal Mail in January of this year issued six stamps featuring different editions of six of Fleming's most famous novels. The stamps feature the art work from the covers of CASINO ROYALE, DOCTOR NO, GOLDFINGER, DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER, FOR YOUR EYES ONLY, and FROM RUSSIA, WITH LOVE.
Other events include an exhibit at the Imperial War Museum and even a Goldfinger charity golf tournament for the British Heart Foundation
On the WEB.
The Internet has put at a few strokes of the keyboard and click of the mouse a ton of information about Ian Fleming and his creation James Bond. Highly recommended are the three WEB sites listed below. They have the virtues of being reliable, thorough, and timely.
Ian Fleming Publications Limited
On completion of his first James Bond novel, Casino Royale, in 1952, Ian Fleming took the advice of his
accountant and purchased a small production company, Glidrose Productions Limited (so named for its
founders, John Gliddon and Norman Rose). He assigned most of his rights in Casino Royale and the works
which followed it to Glidrose and fifty years and two changes of name later, Ian Fleming Publications Ltd.
still administers Ian Fleming's literary estate.
http://www.ianflemingcentre.com/
MI6 - THE HOME OF JAMES BOND
Fansite for the James Bond movies, books, and related games. Includes profiles of the Bond characters as
well as actors. Biography of Ian Fleming.
http://www.mi6.co.uk/sections/articles/event_fleming_centenary.php3
COMMANDERBOND.NET
Fansite for James Bond. Has thorough and up-to-date coverage on the Bond franchise, both literary and film.
A good place to start for any one interested in James Bond, book and movie.
http://commanderbond.net/
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