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Superspy Science: Science, Death and Tech in the World of James Bond
The adventures of James Bond have thrilled readers since Ian Fleming's novel Casino Royale was published in 1953, and when the movie of Dr No was released in 1962, Bond quickly became the world's favourite secret agent.
Science and technology have always been central to the plots that make up the world of Bond, and in Superspy Science Kathryn Harkup explores the full range of 007's exploits and the arms, technologies, tactics and downfalls of his various foes. From the practicalities of building a volcano-based lair, to whether being covered in gold paint really will kill you, and – if your plan is to take over the world – whether it is better to use bacteria, bombs, or poison – this book has all the answers and more.
Could our favourite Bond villains actually achieve world domination? Were the huge variety of weapons and technology in Bond's arsenal from both the films and books ever actually developed in real life? And would 007 actually escape all those close shaves intact? From the plots to the gadgets to the ludicrous ways that his life is threatened, Superspy Science takes an in-depth look at the scientific world of James Bond.
Science and technology have always been central to the plots that make up the world of Bond, and in Superspy Science Kathryn Harkup explores the full range of 007's exploits and the arms, technologies, tactics and downfalls of his various foes. From the practicalities of building a volcano-based lair, to whether being covered in gold paint really will kill you, and – if your plan is to take over the world – whether it is better to use bacteria, bombs, or poison – this book has all the answers and more.
Could our favourite Bond villains actually achieve world domination? Were the huge variety of weapons and technology in Bond's arsenal from both the films and books ever actually developed in real life? And would 007 actually escape all those close shaves intact? From the plots to the gadgets to the ludicrous ways that his life is threatened, Superspy Science takes an in-depth look at the scientific world of James Bond.
400 pages, Paperback
Published April 30, 2024
21 people are currently reading
261 people want to read
About the author
Kathryn Harkup
14 books96 followersKathryn Harkup is a chemist and author. Kathryn completed a PhD then a postdoc at the University of York before realising that talking, writing and demonstrating science appealed far more than spending hours slaving over a hot fume-hood. Kathryn went on to run outreach in engineering, computing, physics and maths at the University of Surrey, which involved writing talks on science and engineering topics that would appeal to bored teenagers, and she is now a science communicator delivering talks and workshops on the quirky side of science.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
December 29, 2023
A really enjoyable read and I now desperately want to re-watch all the Bond films again now. This is great for anyone whose watched (or read) the series as it tell you more about the practicalities of shark pools, golden paint and massive evil lairs in a entertaining yet informative style.
There was some repetition in sentences and parts and also not all about science (for instance the women section which was random) but I don’t care enjoyed all sections. Really enjoyed reading it and learnt a lot (plus it’s Christmas so generosity)
There was some repetition in sentences and parts and also not all about science (for instance the women section which was random) but I don’t care enjoyed all sections. Really enjoyed reading it and learnt a lot (plus it’s Christmas so generosity)
April 22, 2023
"Bond's the name, James Bond," is how he introduces himself. In the books and films we learn that he has a license to kill, which he uses to get any number of baddies who stand in his way of eliminating super villains. He is helped in this endeavor with an arsenal of quirky, powerful weapons, gadgets, cars, planes and other paraphernalia that are beyond belief. Over the years the franchise, both book and film, has expanded and readers and viewers know they will be in for lots of thrills with Bond always the cool, calm hero. Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond, said that in some ways the novels were meant as an entertainment, and that they are, but after so many years why does this franchise continue to attract so many? Dr. Kathryn Harkup, a former chemist and author, nails it and us: “Part of the joy of watching and reading these stories is living a thrilling vicarious life from the comfort of our sofa, basking in the glamour but untroubled by the danger from which our fictional hero is always fighting to extricate himself.” Her goal is to explain it all from “the point of view of a fan and a scientist. … Film by film and iconic moment by iconic moment, this book explores some of the many tropes that we have come to love and expect from a Bond adventure. … [as we ] head off on our mission to explore the science of James Bond.”
From the get-go Dr. Harkup brings us more than scientific analysis, all of it achieved with wit and charm stirred and shaken with some serious knowledge. Each numbered chapter is a riff on our hero’s 007 number, e.g., 001, 002, 003. She documents how some of the the real technology that was replicated in the movies required its own special technology so that it could be displayed and picked up, to full effect, in a filmed version. An example of how science outweighs art is in the film Goldfinger, where Bond finds Jill Masterson dead, having suffocated from being painted with gold. Dr. Harkup presents a detailed chemical analysis why this could not have taken place based on the time factors in the plot. Bond's repeated exposure to atomic radiation would have certainly killed him, if not made him glow in the dark. She also analyzes the various ways that different actors portrayed Bond and how this often reflected societal changes at the time a movie was produced.
An analysis of recurring themes, assumptions and anecdotes are also part of this book: Bond characters possess “supreme self-assurance that oozes from every frame." There are domestic (England) and international locations.There are clever, seemingly made up names, but many were based on people Ian Fleming knew. One name, Goldfinger (a super villain) caused threatening legal action by an architect with the same name. Fleming would not change the name and said, “Tell him if there’s any more nonsense I’ll put an erratum slip and change the name throughout to Goldprick and give the reason why.” Bond always commandeers a sleek, fast, quick-responding sports car, loaded to the gills with an arsenal of weapons and gadgets, and all of them he knows how to use. All in all Bond would be considered a fast learner. He is always impeccably dressed and so are the female characters. James Bond travels a lot, but his preferred taste in food remains the same, and of course there is the James Bond martini.
Dr. Harkup the chemist debunks many of the ploys and tricks in the books and films and does it with a sense of proportion, and displays her own literary knowledge, playfulness and wit. Even if you have not read all the James Bond books or seen all the James Bond films, this book will provide its own delight and fun.
Reviewed by Sheryn Morris, Librarian, Literature & Fiction
From the get-go Dr. Harkup brings us more than scientific analysis, all of it achieved with wit and charm stirred and shaken with some serious knowledge. Each numbered chapter is a riff on our hero’s 007 number, e.g., 001, 002, 003. She documents how some of the the real technology that was replicated in the movies required its own special technology so that it could be displayed and picked up, to full effect, in a filmed version. An example of how science outweighs art is in the film Goldfinger, where Bond finds Jill Masterson dead, having suffocated from being painted with gold. Dr. Harkup presents a detailed chemical analysis why this could not have taken place based on the time factors in the plot. Bond's repeated exposure to atomic radiation would have certainly killed him, if not made him glow in the dark. She also analyzes the various ways that different actors portrayed Bond and how this often reflected societal changes at the time a movie was produced.
An analysis of recurring themes, assumptions and anecdotes are also part of this book: Bond characters possess “supreme self-assurance that oozes from every frame." There are domestic (England) and international locations.There are clever, seemingly made up names, but many were based on people Ian Fleming knew. One name, Goldfinger (a super villain) caused threatening legal action by an architect with the same name. Fleming would not change the name and said, “Tell him if there’s any more nonsense I’ll put an erratum slip and change the name throughout to Goldprick and give the reason why.” Bond always commandeers a sleek, fast, quick-responding sports car, loaded to the gills with an arsenal of weapons and gadgets, and all of them he knows how to use. All in all Bond would be considered a fast learner. He is always impeccably dressed and so are the female characters. James Bond travels a lot, but his preferred taste in food remains the same, and of course there is the James Bond martini.
Dr. Harkup the chemist debunks many of the ploys and tricks in the books and films and does it with a sense of proportion, and displays her own literary knowledge, playfulness and wit. Even if you have not read all the James Bond books or seen all the James Bond films, this book will provide its own delight and fun.
Reviewed by Sheryn Morris, Librarian, Literature & Fiction
January 1, 2024
Listened to a similar book back in November called The Science of James Bond: The Super-Villains, Tech, and Spy-Craft Behind the Film and Fiction, and have to say up front, while I can't quite give this 5 stars (and so it gets the same 4 as that earlier book), I enjoyed this one even more.
As with the other book, this also goes through the Bond canon film by film, with each movie linked at least tangentially to one main area of science/tech, (e.g., From Russia With Love and spy gadgets; Goldfinger and lasers; Moonraker and explosives; etc.*). And to my surprise, there was some serious science here, as proven by the fact that I didn't understand a fair amount of it - particularly when Harkup (who is herself a chemist) gets deep into the weeds in areas such as how poisons, venoms, drugs and viruses work on the human body, or the details of nuclear physics. (Sample line: "A trigger can break off the oxygen atoms from the potassium nitrate (KNO₃), which can then react with the carbon and sulphur to produce carbon dioxide (CO₂), sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and a lot of energy.")
I personally chose not to read the book straight through, but alternated chapters between first the Bond and Craig films; and then when those were done alternated between Moore and Dalton/Brosnan - I just don't think I could have done seven Moore chapters in a row! But I did find this a nice way to mix things up, and as each chapter necessarily skipped around between movies - e.g., when You Only Live Twice focused tongue-in-cheek on the building (and then staffing and managing) of "evil lairs," it then had to go back to Dr. No as well as ahead to Stromberg's underwater city in Spy Who Loved Me and Moonraker's space station - it really didn't make any difference; you can jump around any way you'd like.
Anyway - both a lot of fun and seriously interesting. I mean, who knew that cocaine was made by soaking chopped up coca leaves in gasoline, and then adding sulphuric acid which is then siphoned off before adding caustic soda to make a paste…yuck!
Oh, and also have to add that I by default LOVE any book that includes clever or sarcastic footnotes, (can see my review of Whatever Happened to Tanganyika?: The Place Names that History Left Behind or To Peking: A Forgotten Journey from Moscow to Manchuria for some prime examples). In this case, Harkup gives us such comments as:
* Other science topics covered include: torture/pain; bizarre deaths; electrocution/electricity; lasers/death rays; diamonds; dangerous animals; vehicles/chases; drugs; explosives; the physics of stunts; scars and physical abnormalities; and others - you'll have to read the book to figure out how those line up with specific films.
As with the other book, this also goes through the Bond canon film by film, with each movie linked at least tangentially to one main area of science/tech, (e.g., From Russia With Love and spy gadgets; Goldfinger and lasers; Moonraker and explosives; etc.*). And to my surprise, there was some serious science here, as proven by the fact that I didn't understand a fair amount of it - particularly when Harkup (who is herself a chemist) gets deep into the weeds in areas such as how poisons, venoms, drugs and viruses work on the human body, or the details of nuclear physics. (Sample line: "A trigger can break off the oxygen atoms from the potassium nitrate (KNO₃), which can then react with the carbon and sulphur to produce carbon dioxide (CO₂), sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and a lot of energy.")
I personally chose not to read the book straight through, but alternated chapters between first the Bond and Craig films; and then when those were done alternated between Moore and Dalton/Brosnan - I just don't think I could have done seven Moore chapters in a row! But I did find this a nice way to mix things up, and as each chapter necessarily skipped around between movies - e.g., when You Only Live Twice focused tongue-in-cheek on the building (and then staffing and managing) of "evil lairs," it then had to go back to Dr. No as well as ahead to Stromberg's underwater city in Spy Who Loved Me and Moonraker's space station - it really didn't make any difference; you can jump around any way you'd like.
Anyway - both a lot of fun and seriously interesting. I mean, who knew that cocaine was made by soaking chopped up coca leaves in gasoline, and then adding sulphuric acid which is then siphoned off before adding caustic soda to make a paste…yuck!
Oh, and also have to add that I by default LOVE any book that includes clever or sarcastic footnotes, (can see my review of Whatever Happened to Tanganyika?: The Place Names that History Left Behind or To Peking: A Forgotten Journey from Moscow to Manchuria for some prime examples). In this case, Harkup gives us such comments as:
* Is it weird that the image of a dead woman has become so idolized? I think it's weird._________________________________
* No judgement intended. Whatever works for you. Please stay safe.
* In the novel Ryder is described as having a broken nose and a boy's bottom. Make of that what you will.
* Insert your own joke about men comparing their weapons here.
(…followed immediately by…)
* Insert your own joke about Moore's wooden acting here.
* Better still, don't kill people.
* Your definition of a vital organ may differ.
* Other science topics covered include: torture/pain; bizarre deaths; electrocution/electricity; lasers/death rays; diamonds; dangerous animals; vehicles/chases; drugs; explosives; the physics of stunts; scars and physical abnormalities; and others - you'll have to read the book to figure out how those line up with specific films.
February 13, 2023
Really, really enjoyed this. Wallowed in all the Bond trivia, fact and fiction and loved all the technical science stuff I could easily follow.
November 9, 2022
I have read one James Bond book and I didn’t like it. That didn’t stop me for asking for this book from Netgalley as soon as I could. I love Kathryn Harkup’s approach to fictional people and worlds. This book was no different. She approached 007 in a scientific, witty and practical way. Every chapter analysis’s the probability of stunts, weapons, characters and death in the novels and movies. I enjoyed her sarcastic comments while discussing the crazy and outdated world of Bond. This is just as good as her other works and it is for the fan and interested.
I received an arc via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
I received an arc via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
July 14, 2022
Have you ever wondered if all the explosions, lethal death traps, and spy gadgets in the James Bond movies could actually exist? Maybe not while you are in the theater subconsciously leaning into the curves as the Astin Martin outruns another bad guy, or holding your breath as James fights off a villain in a scuba suit. But once you get home and your adrenaline settles, don't you stop and think and maybe even talk it over with friends and family?
Kathryn Harkup has taken the time to go through each of the films and look for trends, check to see whether the gadgets (from both sides of the struggle) are possible, and explain the scientific principles at work in each situation and how the film stayed true to them or fudged a bit for entertainment value. Want to know if setting off a dirty bomb would really make all the gold in Fort Knox unusable? Not sure if nanobots could actually be used to target specific people for death? Dying with curiosity about that secret space station built by Drax? Then you need to read this book.
Harkup is a chemist, science communicator, and author. She has written several similar books such as A is for Arsenic: The Poisons of Agatha Christie and Making the Monster: The Science Behind Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, among others. Superspy Science combines an extensive look at the entire history of Bond films, information about the books they are based on, author Ian Fleming, and how Fleming's love of spycraft and cutting-edge technology worked their way into each adventure and onto the screen.
This is the perfect gift for Bond fans, gadgetry/techno geeks, and those interested in how pop culture and scientific advances interact. It is scheduled for publication on November 15 - so there is plenty of time to order a copy and be ready to give it as a holiday gift or read it your self over a long holiday weekend.
Kathryn Harkup has taken the time to go through each of the films and look for trends, check to see whether the gadgets (from both sides of the struggle) are possible, and explain the scientific principles at work in each situation and how the film stayed true to them or fudged a bit for entertainment value. Want to know if setting off a dirty bomb would really make all the gold in Fort Knox unusable? Not sure if nanobots could actually be used to target specific people for death? Dying with curiosity about that secret space station built by Drax? Then you need to read this book.
Harkup is a chemist, science communicator, and author. She has written several similar books such as A is for Arsenic: The Poisons of Agatha Christie and Making the Monster: The Science Behind Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, among others. Superspy Science combines an extensive look at the entire history of Bond films, information about the books they are based on, author Ian Fleming, and how Fleming's love of spycraft and cutting-edge technology worked their way into each adventure and onto the screen.
This is the perfect gift for Bond fans, gadgetry/techno geeks, and those interested in how pop culture and scientific advances interact. It is scheduled for publication on November 15 - so there is plenty of time to order a copy and be ready to give it as a holiday gift or read it your self over a long holiday weekend.
December 2, 2022
How many James Bond movies have you watched? How many have you obsessed over, digging into the nuts and bolts of the action and the villains? More than you want to admit? Well join Kathryn Harkup on a wander through the 25 James Bond movies produced by Eon Productions as she looks at what is actually real in the world of James Bond.
In the Prologue, Harkup sets the stage for how the James Bond movie franchise differs from other spy/thriller series. Over the next 25 chapters graced with the titles of the Bond movies in chronological order, Harkup delves into various aspects of the Bond universe. Topics covered range from the opening gun barrel sequence, Rosa Klebb's shoe, lasers as weapons, the care and feeding of volcano lairs and henchmen, how the crocodile run was set up, space stations, parachuting from the edge of space, electrocution via various devices, drugs, poisons, exotic weapons, nanobots, exploding vehicles, and Bond's backstory. Of course there is a bibliography to back up the claims made in the book and provide more sources for the Bond enthusiast to explore.
So if you are a lover of Bond movies, you are likely to enjoy perusing the pages of this tome. Just remember, as Harkup repeats several times in regard to various situations, "Please, do not try this at home!" Rather, enjoy it on the screen!
Thanks Netgalley for the chance to read this title!
In the Prologue, Harkup sets the stage for how the James Bond movie franchise differs from other spy/thriller series. Over the next 25 chapters graced with the titles of the Bond movies in chronological order, Harkup delves into various aspects of the Bond universe. Topics covered range from the opening gun barrel sequence, Rosa Klebb's shoe, lasers as weapons, the care and feeding of volcano lairs and henchmen, how the crocodile run was set up, space stations, parachuting from the edge of space, electrocution via various devices, drugs, poisons, exotic weapons, nanobots, exploding vehicles, and Bond's backstory. Of course there is a bibliography to back up the claims made in the book and provide more sources for the Bond enthusiast to explore.
So if you are a lover of Bond movies, you are likely to enjoy perusing the pages of this tome. Just remember, as Harkup repeats several times in regard to various situations, "Please, do not try this at home!" Rather, enjoy it on the screen!
Thanks Netgalley for the chance to read this title!
April 7, 2024
Have you ever wondered how a laser works? How is a nuclear device made? If a car can really hold all the gadgets that Bond has in his? Well, you're in for a treat with this book that answers all those questions and even more that you didn't know you have.
Harkup goes through every Bond movie to demystify the probability of his gadgets, weapons, and threats to even work in real life. She uses science to prove her points but does it in a way that makes it easy for anybody to understand and with humor (myself not having science as a forte still found it very enjoyable). She's clearly a fan of the franchise and wrote this book for us, but I think it could easily be enjoyed by anyone who doesn't know the franchise as well, as the whole book is written with a more conversational tone between two person than a science book.
A must for all Bond fans out there.
(The first chapter is not representative of the book. I found it a little bit hard to read, but once you're done with it, the rest goes like a breeze)
Harkup goes through every Bond movie to demystify the probability of his gadgets, weapons, and threats to even work in real life. She uses science to prove her points but does it in a way that makes it easy for anybody to understand and with humor (myself not having science as a forte still found it very enjoyable). She's clearly a fan of the franchise and wrote this book for us, but I think it could easily be enjoyed by anyone who doesn't know the franchise as well, as the whole book is written with a more conversational tone between two person than a science book.
A must for all Bond fans out there.
(The first chapter is not representative of the book. I found it a little bit hard to read, but once you're done with it, the rest goes like a breeze)
April 9, 2024
This wasn't a bad book at all. It takes a very broad view to the science of Bond, taking in the obvious things, such as lasers and the more unexpected such as the stress levels of 007.
Personally I wasn't that interested in the biological stuff, but someone will be. The rest was all solid enough, though. With such a large topic, especially when the differences with the books are taken into account, none of it goes too deep. In some ways this isn't a bad thing. There's only so much I wanted to read about piranhas, but I'd have loved to have learnt more about the cars, as they were always the standout scenes in the films.
This is a book that you'll enjoy, but won't ever feel the need to read again.
Personally I wasn't that interested in the biological stuff, but someone will be. The rest was all solid enough, though. With such a large topic, especially when the differences with the books are taken into account, none of it goes too deep. In some ways this isn't a bad thing. There's only so much I wanted to read about piranhas, but I'd have loved to have learnt more about the cars, as they were always the standout scenes in the films.
This is a book that you'll enjoy, but won't ever feel the need to read again.
March 16, 2024
An easy read while on holiday so gave me exactly what I was looking for. My understanding is that the author's background is in chemistry and I think that comes through in the emphasis given to the field while analyzing the feasibility of technical various aspects of James Bond's stories. I was a little disappointed that the book only addresses the films and novels and makes no reference to any of the computer games. Also, as I have little love for the Craig films the discussion relating to those somewhat went over my head. Nevertheless, the book is worth the price of admission.
March 27, 2023
I'm all about James Bond and looked forward to picking up this book everyday. I feel as though it doesn't quite live up to what the author intended: relating real life to the fictional world, it didn't seem consistent, but I don't really care cause I just love hearing about Bond stories and filmmaking process.
January 9, 2025
Fun hodgepodge of miscellaneous facts, framed using events from the Bond movies and novels. Each chapter is named for a movie and a notable aspect of that film -- lasers, decompression (airplanes and the human body), electrocution, man-eating (or not) animals. Sometimes quite detailed in its science but never boring.
January 30, 2025
While billed (and titled) as a comparison of Bond film tech versus real life (a comparison it makes in an entertaining and informative way), this book also provides interesting commentary on the origins of Bond plots and antics, especially those drawn from the real-life adventures of Ian Fleming and his colleagues in WWII.
September 9, 2022
Takes apart the gadgets and science parts of the Bond movies and puts them in to real context. A Bond fan or science fan will love this book. An enjoyable and fascinating read as it shows how the world of science has developed over the time that the movies have been on our screens.
February 16, 2023
An interesting consent but poor execution. Didn’t capture my interest or imagination. A granular look at the world of 007 but my interest fizzled out very quickly
February 19, 2023
That was fun! I love James Bond, and it's nice to see at least some of the science behind at least some of the bad guys is at least vaguely possible. I want to watch all the movies again now...
March 19, 2023
Informative & entertaining--one of the best "science of" books I've read.
September 25, 2023
I understand why only 30+ yo read this the only way to get through it is with a whiskey in hand
October 29, 2023
I absolutely loved this book from cover to cover. It's a must for all Bond fans (both the films and books). Highly recommended.
April 27, 2024
The author's clear dislike for recent Bond films – especially picking apart plot holes while ignoring similar discrepancies in earlier films – ensures this ends with more of a whimper than a bang.
June 9, 2024
Quite interesting but ultimately just confirms what we already know about Bond's gadgets!
Read
April 3, 2025I read the first chapter, and while it was good, it contained information that I already knew as it was more about Fleming than Bond himself. I may give it another try in the future.
April 16, 2025
A comical yet informative journey through the world of James Bond.
October 6, 2025
Fun read - the Bond films have a special place in my heart
August 19, 2023
Was I pleased to get my hands on yet another Harkup book? The answer is obvious.
And I was even more pleased to read it and to be reminded of what it means to keep a franchise running around one character. I found it interesting to see how science and character evolved side by side in nearly 6 decades. And how history was another staple character.
Here our author tackles another universe - after Agatha Christie, Shakespeare, Mary Shelly and vampires - armed with her chemist's background and knowledge. And it is fun and instructive.
But I still can't get over how much work, effort, expertise and dare-devil courage went into the crew who blew life into a 60-year old franchise. And let's not forget the agility.
A book to enjoy, as always with Ms. Harkup.
And I was even more pleased to read it and to be reminded of what it means to keep a franchise running around one character. I found it interesting to see how science and character evolved side by side in nearly 6 decades. And how history was another staple character.
Here our author tackles another universe - after Agatha Christie, Shakespeare, Mary Shelly and vampires - armed with her chemist's background and knowledge. And it is fun and instructive.
But I still can't get over how much work, effort, expertise and dare-devil courage went into the crew who blew life into a 60-year old franchise. And let's not forget the agility.
A book to enjoy, as always with Ms. Harkup.
May 28, 2024
I thought I thought I had read all there is know about my obsession and then this comes along and blows it out of the water. A must for all Bond fans whether you are into technology or not. Q would be so proud.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews