The Essential Bond: The Authorized Guide to the World of 007

by Lee Pfeiffer, Dave Worrall

"Bond...James Bond." The Bond name is synonymous with high-tech gadgets, beautiful women, deadly spies, and action-packed, death-defying adventure. There's no one else like him around. There have been nearly twenty films about him, there are more than sixty Web sites dedicated to him, and it's estimated that more than a quarter of the planet has seen at least one Bond film. Now, fans can enter the world of 007 like never before, with this meticulously researched guide examining all the top secret details of the cinematic Bond missions. Officially endorsed by the Bond film producers, it features fascinating facts and behind-the-scenes stories, as well as more than 250 rare production photos, cinema posters, and product advertisements. It's all the missions, the gadgets, the vehicles, the legendary villains, the exotic locals, and the even more exotic Bond women. You can meet the directors, writers, stunt men, and technicians who have contributed to the success of the series and have stories of their own to tell. Additionally, there is a unique chapter devoted to the legacy of James Bond, with an overview of the thrillers and spoofs inspired by 007 over the years, as well as a fitting tribute to Mr. Bond's literary father, Ian Fleming.

Genres: Film, Nonfiction, Reference, Media Tie In

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

'New edition including The World Is Not Enough' boasts my copy, quaintly.

Pfeiffer and Worrall are celebrity Bond fans - I attended a talk by Dave on collecting Bond merchandise at the ICA, many years ago - and this film-by-film guide to the cast, crew, locations and, of course, merch taught me some things I didn't know and made me laugh. There's plenty of subjective opinion, the appeal of which varies according to whether or not the reader agrees with it...

[Victor Orozco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magnificent for anyone whose a fan of James Bond. I really loved how this wrote about the in depth qualities of the James Bond franchise. Every single movie from Dr. No to Tomorrow Never Dies is recounted with pictures as well as details on the men who played Bond, the women who were the Bond girls, the co-stars, gadgets, stunt work, merchandise, etc. A.

[Jeff Koslowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable compendium for the Bond movies up to The World is Not Enough. It is far more focused on the films themselves and only briefly hints at other Bond related concepts. I really enjoyed the sections at the end about Ian Fleming and Bond spinoffs. My only complaint is that I wish those sections were longer. Still the elements of each film are very readable and quick to move through.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever wondered about the world's greatest superspy? Then you must have this book. It gives an amazing insight to the world of 007 in film and television. True Bond fans like me deserve to have a place for this on their shelf. If you don't have this yet, make your way to the nearest bookstore right now!

[Michael P. · Rating 1 out of 5]

What a pointless book. There is very little here that cannot be better learned by watching the Eon films instead of reading this, and you will enjoy the films more. There is only a page or two, at most, of material per film that is not obtainable by viewing.

The authors are so focused on the Eon Bond films that NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN does not get its own chapter, nor do the TV or first film versions of CASINO ROYALE. This focus limits what readers will learn about the films. Decisions to add a martial arts setting to THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN was based on the then popularity of Kung-Fu films, for example. This is not mentioned, nor are readers helped to understand the whole Kung-Fu film phenomena. This book lacks any context aside from how one Bond film relates to another, and, again, you can get most of that by just watching the movies.

There is an excellent book to be written about James Bond films. This does not even try to be that book. It is for those satisfied with the superficial.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nicely put together but not as authoritive as it should be.

[Steve Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

The clue is in the title; if you are a fan of the James Bond movies then this book is essential reading