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The Real James Bond: A True Story of Identity Theft, Avian Intrigue, and Ian Fleming
Whatever happened to him actually outshines anything I’ve had my James Bond do. —Ian FlemingJames author, ornithologist, marksman, and . . . identity-theft victim? When James Bond published his landmark book, Birds of the West Indies, he had no idea it would set in motion events that would link him to the most iconic spy in the Western world and turn his life upside down. Born into a wealthy family but cut off in his early twenties, James Bond took off to the West Indies in search of adventure. Armed with arsenic and a shotgun, he took months-long excursions to the Caribbean to collect material for his iconic book, Birds of the West Indies, navigating snake-infested swamps, sleeping in hammocks, and island-hopping on tramp steamers and primitive boats. Packed with archival photos, many never before published, and interviews with Bond's colleagues, here is the real story of the pipe-smoking, ruthless ornithologist who introduced the world to the exotic birds of the West Indies.
144 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 28, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
February 1, 2020
I received this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed this true story about the real James Bond, ornithologist, from whom Ian Fleming stole his name. It was really interesting to hear about the real James Bond's adventures searching for birds. I loved the story where he "stole" his own gun into the wilds. I also liked the story about when Ian met James in the Caribbean.
February 16, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this book about the history behind the story. James Bond ornithologist has a rich and interesting life separate from any association with the fictional character James Bond. And this book is great insight into the drama and adventure of real life.
September 18, 2021
A fascinating read and biography of James Bond - the ornithologist that is. Who knew that there is a biogeographical boundary called Bond's Line or that Mali issued oddly shaped stamps commemorating him! The long collection of ornithologist-spies and the discussion on whether James Bond may have actually also been a spy are great bits of research.
March 2, 2020
Reading about the real James Bond, the ornithologist whose name Ian Fleming stole when he wrote his first spy novel to calm his nerves before getting married, is far more interesting than I might have imagined. I grab every book about writers I can find, and that was my reason for choosing this one. Luckilyy for Wright, Bond the ornithologist was a fascinating person, if not perhaps the kind of ornithologist we might cheer today. In Bond's time, for instance, a gun was more common than a camera and the specimens collected were shot dead and skinned for preservation. It is really shocking to read how early taxidermists ended up killing themselves through self-poisoning with arsenic. Wright seems to have heavily relied upon Bond's wife's book about her husband, but he makes up for it with all kinds of interesting trivia. The reader cannot help pausing over the list of similarities between Bond and Fleming. Both came from very wealthy families and had admirable educations, for starters. Bond, however, was disinherited by his father for no apparent reason other than that there was a second wife since Bond's mother died young from cancer. That certainly struck a nerve with me~! Where else, too, is one going to find a history of taxidermy and a history of the evolution of ornithology, not to mention the prominent names in the field, especially pertaining to the West Indies, a region of the world favored by both Bond and Fleming? The book gives insight into Fleming's ability to play double agent in the world of book reviews: he may have reviewed his own first Bond thriller according to Julia Blakely of the rare Book Department in the Smithsonian Institution, as she comments on his literary voice being the same in his letters as in one of the first reviews. After all, Fleming worked for the newspaper group that owned the Times. he was its Foreign Manager and therefore responsible for "its stable of correspondents from 1945 . . . until late in 1959." Most writers would like a position like that so they might all the more easily plug their own books! There is much to amuse in The Real James Bond, For instance, once the world found out where Fleming got the name for his secret agent, the Bonds began receiving phone calls from women at night. Mary Bond was a clever promoter of her husband's work and did not take offense, She would say, "Yes, James is here, but this is Pussy Galore and he is busy now." Thank you #NetGalley
February 19, 2020
A fun and entertaining read. I really enjoyed from start to finish. I found the real MRS Bond the most interesting character. I could see this being made into a television series.
February 29, 2020
James Bond is a cultural icon from in both film and novel form, but how Ian Fleming create the secret agent’s name? As it turns out, the real James Bond was the author of a notable 1936 nature book entitled Birds of the West Indies and Fleming adopted the name from his very own bookshelf. The real James Bond was a prolific ornithologist, with studies summarized throughout this book in addition to biographical information. The author’s shared passion for bird watching is apparent in his writing.
There is a ton of information packed into this short book! It includes a biography of the real Bond, information about Fleming and discussion of the association between the character and the man with the stolen moniker. It is also very much a history of prominent bird scholars and enthusiasts. I’ve not read a nature focused book in well over a decade, so this was an interesting palette cleanser between other heavier nonfiction. While I don’t think ornithology will ever be a subject I’ll gravitate towards, I did appreciate gaining some unexpected knowledge. By far, the most interesting part of this book for me was the discussion of intelligent officers posing as ornithologists in WWI and WII, and would like to read even more about that subject. I very much enjoyed the color photographs that accompanied the writing.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ebook of this title for review.
There is a ton of information packed into this short book! It includes a biography of the real Bond, information about Fleming and discussion of the association between the character and the man with the stolen moniker. It is also very much a history of prominent bird scholars and enthusiasts. I’ve not read a nature focused book in well over a decade, so this was an interesting palette cleanser between other heavier nonfiction. While I don’t think ornithology will ever be a subject I’ll gravitate towards, I did appreciate gaining some unexpected knowledge. By far, the most interesting part of this book for me was the discussion of intelligent officers posing as ornithologists in WWI and WII, and would like to read even more about that subject. I very much enjoyed the color photographs that accompanied the writing.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ebook of this title for review.
January 21, 2020
As both a fan of spy thrillers and as a birdwatcher, I was hoping that this would be really good read, but somehow it wasn't. Wright has a nice writing style, and he didn't stray from his main topic as much as a lot of non-fiction writers do. He clearly knew his material and had done his research, but he put too much into his prologues and somehow the main part of his story didn't work as well as it should have.
And what was the point of the "James Bird" parody story at the end? Did Wright write it and is it to show how clever he is? Because it's really not that clever.
And what was the point of the "James Bird" parody story at the end? Did Wright write it and is it to show how clever he is? Because it's really not that clever.
December 14, 2023
The Publisher Says: Whatever happened to him actually outshines anything I’ve had my James Bond do. —Ian Fleming
James Bond: author, ornithologist, marksman, and . . . identity-theft victim?
When James Bond published his landmark book, Birds of the West Indies, he had no idea it would set in motion events that would link him to the most iconic spy in the Western world and turn his life upside down. Born into a wealthy family but cut off in his early twenties, James Bond took off to the West Indies in search of adventure.
Armed with arsenic and a shotgun, he took months-long excursions to the Caribbean to collect material for his iconic book, Birds of the West Indies, navigating snake-infested swamps, sleeping in hammocks, and island-hopping on tramp steamers and primitive boats. Packed with archival photos, many never before published, and interviews with Bond's colleagues, here is the real story of the pipe-smoking, ruthless ornithologist who introduced the world to the exotic birds of the West Indies.
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA EDELWEISS+. THANK YOU.
My Review: Gotcha!
You thought, like I did, that this was about someone glamourous and important to the intelligence agencies rife in the world, didn't you? After all, James Bond ....
Turns out that the REAL James Bond, the one whose book inspired the stuck-for-a-name birder Ian Fleming to call 007 by his name, was a bad-ass adventurer and ornithologist whose privileged background and education prepared him for a leisurely life of loafing and then poof! got pulled out from under him by his dear old Dad. (007 has some daddy issues, you'll recall.)
The ancestral pile, now part of a university campus near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Being disinherited in favor of second wife of father, Bond went out to get his daily bread the best he could. It was some adventuring best! His ornithological methods weren't to modern tastes:
...but that's how it was done in those days.
The important part is that Bond and Ian Fleming shared a taste for adventure, an interest in birds, and residency in the West Indies:
The only known photo of the Real James Bond with Ian Fleming, at Fleming's Jamaica home
...or we'd never have had the iconic 007 that we do now.
The book is quite a treat on the eyes with its over-a hundred photos, most in color, and its clear, easy-to-read text. The story of a man making another man's name and nature famous would play out very differently today. In this case the way it unfolded was amicable. The author got famous, but died young; the subject lived on, an ornithologist with the definitive textbook to his name; the character is immortal. The story's so astounding that your film-buff giftee might not believe it at first. If you know a Bond guy, he'll have heard the story in its outlines as part of the lore. The reality of James Bond, though, is less well-known and very much worth learning about. A birder friend? Get 'em in the tent by saying, perfectly truthfully, that James Bond was a bird-watcher.
The world the Real James Bond spent his life exploring and explaining to the world
Tomorrow I'm posting #Booksgiving ideas about Nature, so this seemed like a fun way to make the transition. Enjoy the read; I sure did.
James Bond: author, ornithologist, marksman, and . . . identity-theft victim?
When James Bond published his landmark book, Birds of the West Indies, he had no idea it would set in motion events that would link him to the most iconic spy in the Western world and turn his life upside down. Born into a wealthy family but cut off in his early twenties, James Bond took off to the West Indies in search of adventure.
Armed with arsenic and a shotgun, he took months-long excursions to the Caribbean to collect material for his iconic book, Birds of the West Indies, navigating snake-infested swamps, sleeping in hammocks, and island-hopping on tramp steamers and primitive boats. Packed with archival photos, many never before published, and interviews with Bond's colleagues, here is the real story of the pipe-smoking, ruthless ornithologist who introduced the world to the exotic birds of the West Indies.
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA EDELWEISS+. THANK YOU.
My Review: Gotcha!
You thought, like I did, that this was about someone glamourous and important to the intelligence agencies rife in the world, didn't you? After all, James Bond ....
Turns out that the REAL James Bond, the one whose book inspired the stuck-for-a-name birder Ian Fleming to call 007 by his name, was a bad-ass adventurer and ornithologist whose privileged background and education prepared him for a leisurely life of loafing and then poof! got pulled out from under him by his dear old Dad. (007 has some daddy issues, you'll recall.)
The ancestral pile, now part of a university campus near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Being disinherited in favor of second wife of father, Bond went out to get his daily bread the best he could. It was some adventuring best! His ornithological methods weren't to modern tastes:
...but that's how it was done in those days.
The important part is that Bond and Ian Fleming shared a taste for adventure, an interest in birds, and residency in the West Indies:
The only known photo of the Real James Bond with Ian Fleming, at Fleming's Jamaica home
...or we'd never have had the iconic 007 that we do now.
The book is quite a treat on the eyes with its over-a hundred photos, most in color, and its clear, easy-to-read text. The story of a man making another man's name and nature famous would play out very differently today. In this case the way it unfolded was amicable. The author got famous, but died young; the subject lived on, an ornithologist with the definitive textbook to his name; the character is immortal. The story's so astounding that your film-buff giftee might not believe it at first. If you know a Bond guy, he'll have heard the story in its outlines as part of the lore. The reality of James Bond, though, is less well-known and very much worth learning about. A birder friend? Get 'em in the tent by saying, perfectly truthfully, that James Bond was a bird-watcher.
The world the Real James Bond spent his life exploring and explaining to the world
Tomorrow I'm posting #Booksgiving ideas about Nature, so this seemed like a fun way to make the transition. Enjoy the read; I sure did.
February 17, 2020
This review appears with many others on my blog: https://livemanylives.wordpress.com/
It seems that the ‘real’ James Bond, an American ornithologist who wrote Birds of the West Indies, never really enjoyed having his name commandeered by Ian Fleming for his wildly popular spy novels. It’s easy to understand really. The jokes must have been relentless from friends and family as much as the wider media and even his wife seemed determined to capitalise with books of her own titled How 007 Got His Name and To James Bond With Love. For what amounts to a fairly tenuous connection it all seems like quite a lot of bother.
Wisely, given that, Jim Wright has kept his biography quite brief and as a result it makes for an entertaining read combining the story of the real life Bond and his notable career in that field with the crossover to Fleming’s fiction and the real secret services, which recruited surprisingly strongly from the ranks of ornithology. At times the author is a little too keen to pin a crime of theft to Fleming for appropriating a name he found on his bookshelf and adding it to his story that at that time he didn’t even know would be published, but once you look beyond that Bond’s work and that of his peers is an interesting insight into scientific discovery.
It is sad that so much of the progress of human knowledge appears to involve killing other creatures and cutting them open, but Bond himself, despite carrying a shotgun on his travels, happily preferred to analyse his subjects in situ. The skills of the bird collector, adaptable to circumstances, familiar with different languages, handy with a weapon and holding the perfect excuse for travelling with surveillance gear, led to many of his peers actually becoming spies, but disappointingly there is no evidence that Bond did the same.
That said, there are enough exotic adventures in Bond’s work, his meeting and interactions with Ian Fleming and the activities of his peers to sustain the book and it is an interesting insight into the development of the James Bond character and the field of ornithology at a time when the thirst for scientific knowledge was unquenchable.
It seems that the ‘real’ James Bond, an American ornithologist who wrote Birds of the West Indies, never really enjoyed having his name commandeered by Ian Fleming for his wildly popular spy novels. It’s easy to understand really. The jokes must have been relentless from friends and family as much as the wider media and even his wife seemed determined to capitalise with books of her own titled How 007 Got His Name and To James Bond With Love. For what amounts to a fairly tenuous connection it all seems like quite a lot of bother.
Wisely, given that, Jim Wright has kept his biography quite brief and as a result it makes for an entertaining read combining the story of the real life Bond and his notable career in that field with the crossover to Fleming’s fiction and the real secret services, which recruited surprisingly strongly from the ranks of ornithology. At times the author is a little too keen to pin a crime of theft to Fleming for appropriating a name he found on his bookshelf and adding it to his story that at that time he didn’t even know would be published, but once you look beyond that Bond’s work and that of his peers is an interesting insight into scientific discovery.
It is sad that so much of the progress of human knowledge appears to involve killing other creatures and cutting them open, but Bond himself, despite carrying a shotgun on his travels, happily preferred to analyse his subjects in situ. The skills of the bird collector, adaptable to circumstances, familiar with different languages, handy with a weapon and holding the perfect excuse for travelling with surveillance gear, led to many of his peers actually becoming spies, but disappointingly there is no evidence that Bond did the same.
That said, there are enough exotic adventures in Bond’s work, his meeting and interactions with Ian Fleming and the activities of his peers to sustain the book and it is an interesting insight into the development of the James Bond character and the field of ornithology at a time when the thirst for scientific knowledge was unquenchable.
March 3, 2020
An interesting read, though didn't really follow much direction. Was it a book about James Bond, the secret agent. Or was it a book about Ian Fleming, the author and ex-Royal Navy officer? Or Maybe about ornithology, the study of birds? Or maybe about the history of spying and undercover shenanigans, particularly in relation to Britain and the USA? Or was it about James Bond, the author and ornithologist that Ian Fleming 'used as the name for 007? Or could it be how secret service agencies used naturalists such as Bond as covert operatives? Ian Fleming himself was a bit of a bird fancier, feathered variety of course. I know many years ago it was thrown around that Fleming's character was based upon himself, though the author here does draw quite a lot of comparison's to suggest that the ornithologist Jim Bond could have been clandestine, or not.
Reasonably well written, but I felt that the author really needed to brush up on his punnyness, some puns were a bit corny and tended to raise the eyes ironically to the ceiling rather than laughing out loud.
Worth the 3 out of five stars, for interest value alone, though whether it will stay with me as a book I'll remember, ask me again in the future what I thought of it?
Also, I think the cover will mislead many to purchase the book and realise it isn't so much about 007, and more of a meandering ride around middle/upper-class spies/ornithologists in 1940's Caribbean
Reasonably well written, but I felt that the author really needed to brush up on his punnyness, some puns were a bit corny and tended to raise the eyes ironically to the ceiling rather than laughing out loud.
Worth the 3 out of five stars, for interest value alone, though whether it will stay with me as a book I'll remember, ask me again in the future what I thought of it?
Also, I think the cover will mislead many to purchase the book and realise it isn't so much about 007, and more of a meandering ride around middle/upper-class spies/ornithologists in 1940's Caribbean
November 30, 2021
I came to learn that Ian Fleming, who wrote the James Bond books, was an avid birder and came up with his character’s name by looking on his bookshelf and noticed the name of the author of Birds of the West Indies, which was James Bond.
This relationship took on a life of its own and made the real James Bond much more famous than other ornithologists of the time. This book provides many details surrounding the real James Bond.
Perhaps one of the most interesting things that I learned were the number of ornithologists who became spies during WWII. Since they tended to spend a lot of time in a foreign country, getting to know the lay of the land, the language, and the people, they were good candidates for work as spies. They also had binoculars and tended to look rather harmless but eccentric.
Other than that, this book is a bit dry, going over all aspects of James Bond, from several different angles. It had pictures and descriptions of all the places that he lived. It had a chapter describing each of the ornithological spies of the time and one about whether or not he was a spy. Another chapter was devoted to the various field guides to birds of the West Indies. The author seemed to have a good idea for a book, but not enough material, so he added whatever he could.
It’s a nice little book, with some fun facts, but not a real page turner.
This relationship took on a life of its own and made the real James Bond much more famous than other ornithologists of the time. This book provides many details surrounding the real James Bond.
Perhaps one of the most interesting things that I learned were the number of ornithologists who became spies during WWII. Since they tended to spend a lot of time in a foreign country, getting to know the lay of the land, the language, and the people, they were good candidates for work as spies. They also had binoculars and tended to look rather harmless but eccentric.
Other than that, this book is a bit dry, going over all aspects of James Bond, from several different angles. It had pictures and descriptions of all the places that he lived. It had a chapter describing each of the ornithological spies of the time and one about whether or not he was a spy. Another chapter was devoted to the various field guides to birds of the West Indies. The author seemed to have a good idea for a book, but not enough material, so he added whatever he could.
It’s a nice little book, with some fun facts, but not a real page turner.
February 26, 2020
Not what I expected but glad I read the book. If you are looking for a thrilling spy novel this is not it.
This book gave some insight in the writer "Ian Fleming" and the person whose name he stole to become the main character in his James Bond books.
The real Mrs. James Bond was an interesting character in her own way. I might have to read her book "To James Bond with Love" . If her husband had let her I think she would have used publicity to its max. The real Jim Bond rather stayed away from the public eye and lived for his discoveries and studies of birds.
A connection is made between the possibility of ornithologists who contributed to covert operations been able to easily go into a territory carrying a shotgun and field glasses and nobody would be given it a second thought.
I was a bit unsettling to learn how many birds where killed for the purpose of studying them and museum displays but I should have realized that was the way it was done.
This book gave some insight in the writer "Ian Fleming" and the person whose name he stole to become the main character in his James Bond books.
The real Mrs. James Bond was an interesting character in her own way. I might have to read her book "To James Bond with Love" . If her husband had let her I think she would have used publicity to its max. The real Jim Bond rather stayed away from the public eye and lived for his discoveries and studies of birds.
A connection is made between the possibility of ornithologists who contributed to covert operations been able to easily go into a territory carrying a shotgun and field glasses and nobody would be given it a second thought.
I was a bit unsettling to learn how many birds where killed for the purpose of studying them and museum displays but I should have realized that was the way it was done.
March 14, 2020
Fascinating biography of the real James Bond, full of new bits of trivia and tidbits of knowledge. I thought it was particularly interesting to read about the number of ornithologists that became involved in spying. I can see how those characteristics of stealth and observation would be helpful! Not to mention the fact that they regularly had to be skilled with knives and guns to hunt their quarry in order to kill and mount the birds! There were many bits of information the author discovered that Ian Fleming had been inspired to include in the creation of "his" James Bond, and as a fan of the stories and movies, I found this book to be very enjoyable.
July 5, 2020
It’s been a long time since I’ve enjoyed reading a book as much as I have enjoyed this one.
At its heart, it’s a biography of the ornithologist who fictional superspy 007 was named after… But it also has elements of adventure, natural history, travel, history, and of course, ornithology, woven into it.
If you’re a bird nerd, you’ll really enjoy this book; if you are a fan of Ian Fleming‘s 007 fiction, you’ll also enjoy it; and if you’re like me, both a bird nerd AND a fan of Fleming‘s work, it’s pure heaven.
Once I started this book I didn’t want to put it down, and once I was finished, I was sad that there wasn’t more to read. And you can’t say much more about a book than that.
At its heart, it’s a biography of the ornithologist who fictional superspy 007 was named after… But it also has elements of adventure, natural history, travel, history, and of course, ornithology, woven into it.
If you’re a bird nerd, you’ll really enjoy this book; if you are a fan of Ian Fleming‘s 007 fiction, you’ll also enjoy it; and if you’re like me, both a bird nerd AND a fan of Fleming‘s work, it’s pure heaven.
Once I started this book I didn’t want to put it down, and once I was finished, I was sad that there wasn’t more to read. And you can’t say much more about a book than that.
February 8, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. It is not very long and filled with photos so I would recommend a physical copy over the e-book. Though I am a bird watcher/ lover/ reader I was not aware of the ornithologist James Bond until I got this book. I am not a huge Ian Fleming or 007 fan, but I found the interwoven histories of James Bond (ornithologist), Ian Fleming, and 007 (fictional spy) to be a fun and enjoyable way to learn some relatively obscure ornithological history. I agree with another reviewer that Mrs. Bond sounds like one of the most interesting people in the book, and I would like to read some of her writings.
July 21, 2020
Lots of photos and some weird formatting make this come off more like a coffee-table book than an actual biography but there is some information about James Bond between the covers.
Unfortunately, a very large part of the info on the ornithologist is just paraphrasing of Mrs. James Bond's (Mary Bond) several books on the life of her husband and his connections to the fictional 007 spy stories. Info on Ian Fleming comes from various sources, but also from Mary Bond.
It's a fine read but if you're REALLY interested, you probably want Mary Bond's books instead.
Unfortunately, a very large part of the info on the ornithologist is just paraphrasing of Mrs. James Bond's (Mary Bond) several books on the life of her husband and his connections to the fictional 007 spy stories. Info on Ian Fleming comes from various sources, but also from Mary Bond.
It's a fine read but if you're REALLY interested, you probably want Mary Bond's books instead.
May 17, 2022
A funky and fun read for those inclined to both 007 and birds (which is me). Probably because there was not really enough material for book length treatment though means it is a bit repetitive and relies so heavily on books written by the wife of the “real” James Bond that it almost felt like why not just read those?
Amusing though and brought to light the connections between ornithology and spying that I did not previously know
Amusing though and brought to light the connections between ornithology and spying that I did not previously know
February 15, 2023
When Ian Fleming was writing his first spy thriller, he needed a name for his secret agent. Glancing at a bookshelf in his office in his Jamaican home, he spotted an easy simple name: James Bond. It was the author of BIRDS OF THE WEST INDIES. "A spy was born!" Yes, the real James Bond was an ornithologist who had written the book. The book tells the life of the ornithologist . I was most interested in the birds mentioned in the book.
December 14, 2020
I was somewhat disappointed in this book though it has gotten good reviews. While the author clearly knows his topic and gives some interesting information, I wanted to know more about the real James Bond's life including things like how did he meet his wife and decide to marry at the late age of 55? I also found it somewhat repetitive as though it needed a good editor.
June 21, 2021
Very thorough treatment of the real James Bond's Birds of the West Indies. I actually used the Rafaele version when I went to The Bahamas in 2018. I had no idea about James Bond at the time. Lots of great trivia about Ian Fleming's house (Goldeneye) in Jamaica. Nicely illustrated, and well researched.
July 1, 2021
Okay, I admit it: I am a big James Bond fan - both the books and the movies. Therefore, I could not resist this book, which is an illustrative biography of how Ian Fleming gave up his life in the financial sector to become the author of the world's most famous spy.
At only 144 pages, this was a quick read.
At only 144 pages, this was a quick read.
March 15, 2020
I was fascinated by the story of the real James Bond. It was as engrossing as a novel, well researched and entertaining.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for this ARC, all opinions are mine
March 17, 2020
I received a complimentary copy.
Get ready for an adventure that can pass the time easily. All true and so much fun to see the photos while reading about life stories. The book is going to be delightful to those who love James Bond.
Get ready for an adventure that can pass the time easily. All true and so much fun to see the photos while reading about life stories. The book is going to be delightful to those who love James Bond.
June 15, 2020
Great Read.
A fun and informative read. Birders and non-birders will enjoy the information on the namesake of James Bond 007. The book is fast paced and is a quick and enjoyable read.
A fun and informative read. Birders and non-birders will enjoy the information on the namesake of James Bond 007. The book is fast paced and is a quick and enjoyable read.
December 31, 2025
This was quite the read. I wanted to finish one more Non Fiction book before the new year and this was a good pick. I had no idea about any of this history and I am just entering into James Bond lore. I learned a lot, it had some good photos, it was a good length. Would recommend.
May 15, 2020
Enjoyed the historical biography of ornithologist James Bond.
September 20, 2020
The Real James Bond - The story of Jim Bond, the person whose name was used for 007. My thoughts > http://url.cwl.cc/zyhfe
January 17, 2021
An interesting and engaging read even for someone new to birdwatching and only as casual fan of 007. Fun local connections to Litchfield's Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy.
March 3, 2021
Wildly entertaining - this book has it all and I'm not just saying that because I am from Philadelphia.
January 20, 2022
A very light, but nonetheless interesting bit of non-fiction.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews