In this new Bond adventure, Bond partners up with French Agent (I'm not sure) Mathis to take down the Union once and for all, an organization who stops at nothing just to make trouble, by taking down their blind, but dangerous boss, Le Gerant. This book, as I would say, is the sequel to Benson's books High Time To Kill and Doubleshot, and he's successfully ended this trilogy. From beginning to end, I couldn't stop reading this book. Benson may not write like Fleming or Gardner, but he writes an even better Bond. His books have more action and suspense. Although, this may be a little disappointing for Bond fans since the story is not as classic like Goldfinger and Dr. No, but anyone who likes something with action, love, and is in need for a book this summer should be looking into this book before they skip this. Overall, it's Benson at his best.

Say what you will about Benson's novels, he always strives to bridge the literary links between Fleming's originals and his own Bond adventures. 007's latest outing brings Bond face to face with Le Gerant, the mysterious mastermind behind the Union -- the deadly crime cartel Bond has battled in the previous two novels.

Bond meets up with an old ally, Frenchman Rene Mathis who first appeared in Casino Royale, the Bond book that spawned the series. But perhaps more notably, Bond is reacquainted with his father-in-law, Marc-Ange Draco (On Her Majesty's Secret Service.) One of Fleming's most colorful and memorable characters, Draco's life since the death of Tracy -- Bond's murdered wife -- remained a mystery to readers, and I'm sure many of us wondered what became of his relationship with Bond in the subsequent years. Benson takes an enormous chance re-introducing a character of this stature, but somehow pulls it off.

Never Dream of Dying has Bond back as the dogged assassin, and thanks to Benson's decision to limit the plot to a few well exploited locales, we're given more than glimpse of the historical Corsica, and the lavish Cannes. Unlike the film makers, Fleming was always smart enough to realize that the setting was as much a part of his novels as any character. By the end of a Fleming novel, and now a Benson novel, we feel as though we've lived a bit of the locale instead of just gotten off the bus for a couple of snapshots.

My strongest recommendation for Never Dream of Dying comes not for it's tight plot, but for Benson's characterization of Bond, himself. He seems wiser, more hardened and, as a whole, more complete as a character. Cheers to you, Raymond, for continuing to take the job seriously, and for working so hard to get it right.

As a long time 007 fan, I have just re-read all of Raymond Benson's Bond novels in the proper order and have some reflections on his entire series through "Never Dream of Dying." First of all, Benson is not Ian Fleming and readers should get past that expectation before beginning. He's not John Gardner, either (thank goodness!). That said, I believe Benson has come the closest to Ian Fleming of all the post-Fleming writers in that he has truly captured the essence of Bond's character and the universe in which 007 operates. It is a fantasy spy world, not based in reality, just as Fleming's was, but like Bond's creator, Benson keeps the main character very human. Benson's Bond makes mistakes, shows fear, feels pain, and is melancholy much of the time. At the same time, Benson has brought in many elements of the Bond film series (I have read an interview with him that states that he and the Ian Fleming Estate agreed that this would be the approach to take). Therefore, Benson's Bond is a mixture of the cinematic and literary Bonds, and for me, this works splendidly. I have seen some fans object to this or that but it seems to me that these fans are not getting past personal expectations. Bond is many things to many people. Benson, a long time Bond scholar and author of the excellent "James Bond Bedside Companion" knows his stuff. He has nailed the Bond character. Some have complained about his writing style. Benson is no Fleming, as stated earlier, but his style is succinct and easy to read. His books flow quickly and are highly entertaining. "ZERO MINUS TEN": Benson's first book has one of his best plots, but it suffers slightly from being a "first novel." His writing is at its weakest here, but that said, ZMT is a wonderful Bond story. It is very Fleming-esque with its Hong Kong location, characters like Guy Thackeray and T. Y. Woo and Li Xu Nan, and its descriptions of food, mahjong, and Triads. When reading ZMT, one is immediately aware that this is a harder-edged and darker Bond than perhaps what we are used to. For a first effort, it is very, very good. "THE FACTS OF DEATH": Benson's second book is more film-like, it feels like an EON Productions movie story. The plot is more "fantastic" in that it deals with a secret criminal organization called the Decada that is run by a crazy mastermind. The writing is improved, though, and in many ways this is a more entertaining book than ZMT. What is especially interesting is Benson's development of the "M" character and her relationship with Bond. "HIGH TIME TO KILL": My personal favorite of the bunch. This is a classic Bond novel in every sense of the word. The first half is fairly predictable cinematic-Bond stuff, except for a very Fleming-esque opening and 2nd chapter golf match. The second half, however, shows Benson hitting his stride and finding his own voice with a truly original departure from what is expected. As Bond and companions climb one of the highest peaks in the Himalayas, the action becomes more like an "Into Thin Air"-type story. It's authentic spy-stuff amidst an environment that is cruel and harsh. This is a thrilling, un-put-downable book. "DOUBLESHOT": Another departure from the norm, as Benson appears to be experimenting with the structure of a Bond novel with this one. The first chapter is the ending of the book told from the different perspectives of several characters. The rest of the story begins in the past and catches up to the ending, and by then we are hooked. In this story, Bond is not well, he is injured, he is not working at full capacity, and this is what is interesting. "Doubleshot" is the middle book of a loose trilogy (beginning with "High Time to Kill") and it is darker and more introspective than the others. Some fans apparently didn't get it, but in many ways, this is Benson's most courageous book. "NEVER DREAM OF DYING": Another great one, right up there with "High Time to Kill," in terms of glueing a reader to the page. It's an excellent plot, tying up the trilogy that Benson began in HTTK. In this book, one can see the blending of the cinematic and literary Bonds more than in any other entry-- a lot of the action is very movie-like, while the storyline and characterizations are more like the Fleming novels. The moods and settings are the best that Benson has done, and the love interest is perhaps his strongest. The real stroke of brilliance in the book is what the author has done with the character of Bond's father in law. A very engaging book. My five-star review is based on Benson's series as a whole. Each book may not be a 5-star book on its own, but I don't think any of them are less than 4. Benson has put his mark on the Bond literary series. Fans who don't like him tend to focus on one or two aspects of what he does-- his writing style, his dependence on the cinematic elements, whatever... I feel that they're not seeing the forest for the trees. In my humble opinion, Raymond Benson has brought new life to the series and I hope he continues the books a long, long time.

Raymond Benson has done a superb job with his own Bond series,combining the modern film Bond with the classic Fleming Bond.(its a shame that it appears that he won't be doing anymore)His novels are all fast paced entertaining reads.His novelisations of the Brosnan series have almost always improved on the movies-adding alot of character moments as well as a great deal of depth and dimension to the villians.This one,however,reads like a great action movie.The pace is relentless as it is basically one giant action scene after another following a shocking beginning where we see 007 as we have never seen him before.Now as a movie this will be alot of fun to see but as a novel it seems to be over much too quickly(I finished it in a day). The character moments Benson usually puts in his own series were few and far between because of the incredible pace of the story . While this works on film you end up missing these moments on the printed page and waiting for a little break in the action.That being said,this is filled with one incredible scene after another.In fact,you end up smiling and cheering just as you would in the movies.The action sequences are all original and exciting and 007 is better than ever...coming through the most harrowing experience he has ever been through on film.If this plays out as written it will easily be Brosnans best Bond film to date.Benson captures the feelings of a "Bond movie on paper" perfectly.This may not have the depth of his original stories but it has all the fun of the movies.
If this is his last Bond novel he has gone out in style.

Raymond Benson has been a Bond fan for years. That being said, Benson took the film's script and elevated the material to a point where it at least has plausibility and some style perhaps out of respect to the memory of Ian Fleming. Also, the focus in the novel is on James Bond, not computer generated stunts (that's rather hard to do in a book any way you look at it). This is a great improvement over the various plot elements and this time out they work. I was pleased that we got something good out of this last Bond movie.

Raymond Benson returns with quite possibly some of his best writing ever! After the okay-good The Man With The Red Tattoo, he returns to write Die Another Day in a superb style of description, action and nonstop 007 adventure! Rumors are flying that he may be giving up his role as the 007 author, if it is true he leaves with a bang.

Die Another day begins with Bond in Korea to disrupt the evil Colonel Moon and his henchman Zao. They are purchasing diamonds and have a great deal of deadly machinery in his demilitarized zone. Bond infiltrates the zone to result in a explosion of diamond shrapnel scarring Zao's face and a deadly chase with Colonel Moon of hovercrafts over a minefield. Bond is captured by General Moon, (the colonel's father and is held responsible for his death. A year passes by with Bond in a tortured state being traded for freedom with Zao. M meets Bond and tells him of her dissapointment in him. Bond then searches for Zao down in Cuba and meets NSA agent Jinx. Bond discovers that Zao has been under gene therapy to alter his face in a clinic on a nearby island. Bond traces the island to a one Gustav Graves, an eccentric millionaire that owns diamonds and has a local ice palace in Iceland. Bond challenges Graves to fencing in the Blades Club, where Bond wins and meets the ultra-cool icy princess Miranda Frost, Graves personal assistant. Bond is equipped by Q and sent out to Iceland by M. While in Iceland Bond meets up with Jinx and discovers the Gustav Graves has created the ultrapowerful satellite Icarus, which canharness the Sun's power. He later confronts Graves where he makes a startling discovery that Miranda Frost(while earlier claiming to be a British agent) is now against Bond. A magnificent chase enthralls with Zao, Graves and Frost running Bond down. Jinx and Bond discover that Colonel Moon is in fact Gustav Graves the same person. Jinx and Bond find out that Graves is going to destroy his demilitarized zone with the Icarus in order for the takeover of all nearby countries to make Korea an unstoppable power. Bond kills Zao in the ice palace and rescues the stranded Jinx, where they aboard Graves plane to stop the crazy Korean. Jinx and Miranda Frost break out into a exciting thrilling fencing fight with Frost succumbing to the sword of Jinx. Bond and Graves battle on the now crashing plane, where Graves is killed by being pulled into the planes wing. Bond and Jinx escape via helicoptor aboard the plane. Meanwhile we are allowed to see thanks to the 3-D machine the ultimate fantasy of Moneypenny to love James Bond. Bond and Jinx safely land in a temple where the story ends.

Raymond Benson has truly written a masterpiece here. All bond fans will love the exciting tale of James Bond 007!

I admit that that "Goldfinger" was the first Bond (Fleming-authored or not) that I have read. Susbsequent to reading it, though, I have plans for the reading of many more. I presume that as you are looking at this book, you have probably seen the 1964 film of the same. As with the majority of filmic adaptations, the book differs somewhat...and, again as with most things, I am convinced that the book is probably better.

I also admit to having been on a quest to find my idea of the quintessential piece of summer reading. This might well be it: it's paced well, the characterisation is non-existent, but then this book is clearly the literary doppelgänger of the popcorn movie...absence of character development should be taken in stride...and Mr. Fleming's prose is both slightly ornate and, er, quirky. If you're looking for a book to expand your mind, pass on this...if you're looking for something escapist, this certainly should serve you very nicely. Great fun. Recommended.

Goldfinger has an effortless grace that is simply beyond most thriller writers. And this is the point; Fleming could really write. Yes, Goldfinger is just a potboiler fantasy, but it is suffused with beautiful writing; elegant simple sentences that contain real wit and character. It was Fleming's longest book and yet compared to a Clancy or a Ludlum it is little more than a short story. But in contrast to the turgid, plot ridden lumps that so many writers today (and in fairness, for the last thirty years) seem compelled to churn out, Fleming's brevity and clarity, his development of character, the pace and humour he injects, all shine out.

Reading again the account of the game of Canasta or, especially, the round of golf, is to feel a sense of joy and appreciation of his sheer skill with words. (In contrast, can any one really read Tom Clancy and not, by about page 400, emit a despairing cry of "get on with it!".)

And Goldfinger is a great story. It's far fetched and unlikely, but it roars along with a logic that lasts as long as the book does.

And yes of course it's dated, and Fleming's views would not hold up to much scrutiny in 2002. But are today's readers such sensitive little flowers that they cannot accept that the ideas and views of another time are totally valid when expressed in the context of that time?

Goldfinger was written by a man who had an instinctive lightness of touch, who was writing when people did not mistake information for knowledge, and who above all wrote for the sheer enjoyment of it all.

And that's what Goldfinger is...sheer pleasure and sheer enjoyment.

This book was far ahead of its time, ignored for the most part after its initial publication, but selling in the millions after the film's release almost a decade later. Give Fleming credit for enormous creative powers in dreaming up a story that, with its castrating laser beams, deadly Korean bodyguards, obese villains and beautiful women, resonated deeply in the darkness of a movie theater. But Fleming's role in helping create modern blockbuster entertainment is only part of the story. The James Bond books as a series are much darker than the films, and "Goldfinger" is no exception, but it's filled with descriptive prose that's among the best of the post-WWII era. Returning to this book after fifteen years confirms an earlier impression that one is dealing with more than a competent thriller-writer here. Though steeped in the Cold War era, and filled with fantastic plot contrivances, Fleming had a keen eye for irony, humor, and the truthful human observation. JFK, while President of the U.S., declared Ian Fleming his favorite author. In fact, as time goes on, Ian Fleming's gifts shine brighter than ever, remaining to be discovered by a new generation of readers.

There is a storm of contraversity reagarding this book. Kurt Saxon is well known survivalist whose work is sometimes misunderstood as guide to terrorism, but in fact the book deals with broader subjects of how to survive if civilization collapse. The majority of the work should be required reading for people is high risk weather areas. Very few people would know how to survive for prolonged period without electricity or how to perserve food. With El Nino, Asteroids, and earthquake, this book may be the most valuable book you'll ever own.

I am a punk anarchist and my friends little brother (he's only 12) has this book. It is a great book that every anarchist should own. If enough people read this book the goverment will be shakin in their shoes.

This is the most information packed book I have ever read! After reading this book, I understood the value of knowledge. This book teaches chemistry in a way that you can use and is easy to Understand. If a small percent of any nation's people knew this material, their government would never become a tyrant and other nations would be afraid to invade. This is powerful knoledge that can save your life (or get you killed)! Be sure to read all of it before begining any mixing of chemicals. He gives must know safety information with each chemical or project.

Now the bad news: After reading this book, TV and movies will never be the same! All the BS they use becomes easy to spot and it ruins the movie! It becomes obvious that the script writer is woefully ignorant and you are not! Their movie will quickly become childish or seem stupid to you. Want to realy know something of value? Then study this book!

We have, first of all, truth in advertising: Steven Jay Rubin's THE COMPLETE JAMES BOND MOVIE ENCYCLOPEDIA is exactly what it says it is, providing information on the series' actors, characters, locations and gadgets. It provides reviews of the first seventeen movies, and the history of the rift between Ian Fleming and Kevin McClory.

There is a lot here. So much, in fact, that the book becomes wearisome. Mr. Rubin's entries about the various Bond searches are interesting, as are his reviews (and, no, I do not agree with half of them), but the quality of these are inferior to the same information presented in his much better THE JAMES BOND FILMS. In addition, Mr. Rubin has seen fit to include some trivia that may tickle the diehard fan but is fairly worthless otherwise.

I was also annoyed by the GOLDENEYE updates. We get few stills from the movie, and the review doesn't provide much in the way of commentary.

Still, if you are a diehard fan, or even a low key one, you'll find this book pleasing and often informative.

The Complete James Bond Movie Encyclopedia by Rubin offers its readers a cornucopia of trivial knowledge about arguably the world's most famous action hero. From more widely known facts, such as who the first man to play Bond was; to more obscure bits of information, such as the domestic and international grosses of all the Bond films; a true Bond fan is sure to spend hours delving into all the little quirks and idiosyncrasies that make agent 007 such an icon to so many.If there is one drawback to the book, it is that the book is an encyclopedia, and so it is presented in that form... alphabetical order, brief articles on many different entries... so the book tends to be somewhat of a tedious read at times. I would certainly not recommend it to someone who doesn't love Bond movies, but if you do, it is an absolute requirement to finish any Bond collection!

The Complete James Bond Movie Encyclopedia is truly a great book on the world of James Bond. It has information on all the characters including Goldeneye. It also has information on gadgets, cars, other things and trivial information that is definitely important to anyone who truly likes James Bond. It does not contain everything about bond, and the Goldeneye section in the addendum is less than lacking. Besides that and the fact that it needs to be updated to include TND, everything else about the book is really great.

As most teenagers, I had my "Bond movies phase", renting and watching every movie from Sean Connery through Lazenby, Moore, Dalton and now Brosnan. Even so, I had never read one of Ian Fleming's books, prejudicialy dismissing them as childish and poorly written. After ten years, I found "Doctor No" in a used-books store, and since I made the mistake of thinking this was, like in the movies, the first book of the series, I bought it.

In "Doctor No", James Bond, after a bad mission and spending some time in a hospital, is given a kind of "vacation mission" in Jamaica. He has to discover what happened to the local stationed british secret agent, who is reported missing. When Bond gets there, he is driven towards Crab Key, a misterious island owned by Julius No, a tall, bald maniac for privacy and who is hiding things from jamaican administration.

To my surprise (and showing I was wrong in my prejudices), Fleming is a good writer who can hold the reader's attention at most times. It's just a pity that I didn't begin the series with the first book, "Casino Royale", to see how Fleming developed his writing style, characters and plots while writing the books.
Other surprise was to compare Bond in the books with Bond in the movies. Bond in the books was more human and credible, even to the point of throwing up after moments of extreme tension. Other characters are interesting as well, like nature girl Honey Rider and Bond's friend Quarrell. I also liked to meet again characters like M and Q. Doctor No, though, as everything related to Crab Key island, is a little too fantastic for my taste, but, from the information I gathered, "Doctor No" is Fleming's most "exotic" and implausible book.

The important considerations are that Fleming can create good thrilling scenes, and that James Bond is a better character than I expected. I will surely look for "Casino Royale" and start the series in proper order.

Grade 8.8/10

Being a fan of the James Bond of the movies, I decided to go back to where Bond got his start--in Ian Fleming's novels. Doctor No is the third Bond novel I've read and thus far I think it's the best.

Bond is called to investigate the mysterious death of Strangways on the island of Jamaica. Upon arriving, Bond finds that Doctor No, the enigmatic owner of an island rich in guano, is behind the murder. As Bond investigates No's island with his Jamaican friend Quarrel, he encounters the beautiful Honey Rider and the dangers of dealing with Doctor No.

As I said before, this is so far my favorite of the Fleming Bond novels. The location is exotic and mysterious (Fleming probably chose it because he lived there), Bond is more ruthless than ever, and the thrills are plentiful. Honey Rider is more developed here than she is in the Dr. No movie, and the villain himself is much more sinister and menacing. The pace is much quicker than the other novels, with there being very few parts that drag. By modern standards Fleming is a racist and sexist but his dated descriptions and language don't remove from the story. Some claim the giant squid chapter was too much, but I thought it worked; that chapter was probably my favorite because it reminded me of Jules Verne and all the adventure novels of the past.

I had a few problems, though. The bird guano elements to the book really throw the pacing off and are kind of boring; I found myself skimming the pages when Fleming started describing them. The death of Doctor No is absurd and unintentionally funny; I wanted something more exciting than what Fleming gives us. The characters seem fond of going into really long monologues as well, which can be tiresome.

Overall, though, I had more fun with this novel than the other ones I've read. I'd give it a high recommendation just for its sheer fun. Somehow I can't help but play the James Bond Theme in my head while reading these books.

Returning once again in the 6th book by Ian Fleming, James Bond is back and he is on his way to battle the evil Dr. Julius No, who describes himself as a maniac. Dr. No is a 6 ft. tall, bald maniac who has claws instead of hands puts 007 up to one of his most dangerous and daring assignments ever.

007 has apparently survived the excrutiating death of being stabbed by the poison shoe of Rosa Klebb. He's back in action and more dangerous than ever. He is sent by M to Jamaica to discover what has happened regarding the dissapearance of SIS agant Strangways and his secretary. 007 soon discovers that somebody doesn't want him to find out why, after a poisonous centipede and poison fruit make their way to Bond's hotel room. the suspect is Dr. No who sells bird-dung on the mysterious island Crab Key. Bond teams himself with a local, called Quarrel and they sail to the island. 007 meets Honeychile Ryder from walking up onto the beach from the water. Together the three search the island, but Quarrel is killed and Bond and Honey are captured and sent to the headquarters of Dr. No. He then tells them that is a Soviet agent that is causing havoc to the USA military tests of their rockets. Dr. No is a sadistic maniac who is obsessed on how much the human body can take. He forces Bond to go through his death course filled with electric shocks, poisonous spiders, heat and a giant squid. Bond surprisingly survives and kills Dr. No by suffocating him under a large pile of bird dung. Bond then rescues Honey and they go to a vacation together.

Dr. No is one of the most thrilling, exciting and adventerous novels of Ian Fleming. It's filled with exotic villians, Dr. No, exciting girls, Honey Ryder and unstoppable excitement!

To a certain extent, it feels unfair to criticize The Man With the Golden Gun, the last of Ian Fleming's original James Bond books. It is generally agreed that Fleming, seriously ill while writing this book, died before having a chance to rewrite his initial, sketchy drafts. The book itself was rushed out by Fleming's publishers and therefore, if it often reads like a first draft that's because it is.

This is the book that finds James Bond returning to MI6 after being briefly brainwashed by the KGB. Needing to redeem himself in the eyes of M (who, in this book's rushed characterization, is at his most coldly unlikeable), Bond is sent to take out international assassin Paco Scaramanga, whose trademark is that he kills with a golden gun. As said, the entire book reads like a sketch of an idea (a short story really) and Fleming's prose and dialouge are (through not fault of his own) rough and unpolished. However, the book does have a few good points that are all the more remarkable when you consider the duress Fleming was under when he wrote it. Scaramanga is a potentially fascinating character, a wonderfully image of James Bond as if reflected in a funhouse mirror. Indeed, it is hard not to feel that if Fleming had lived to write a second draft, Scaramanga would be remembered as one of his most memorable villians, in league with Dr. No and Goldfinger. As well, there is wonderfully elegiac about the book's final chapter where Bond spends a few pages considering his legacy as a secret agent and his future in espionage. Fleming, surely knowing that this would be his final novel, uses the chapter to sum up all that he had written over the past 15 or so years and it serves as a nice tribute for the fans of the original James Bond, confirming everything that made us a fan in the first place. The Man with The Golden Gun isn't a book that accurately reflects the depth of Fleming's talent or the potential of the literary James Bond but it still has a few shiny moments that shows why Bond has endured.

First I have to say, beware of the review by Kevin Johnson below. For whatever reason, his review describes the ridiculous plot of the movie version, not that of the book.

"The Man with the Golden Gun" was the final adventure of James Bond authored by Ian Fleming, and for that reason alone is a classic in the series. While a complete story in itself, it also can be regarded as the completion of an enjoyable trilogy that began with "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" and is followed by "You Only Live Twice." That has always been my favorite way to read this book, which I have done every few years.

There are very few books which I am tempted to read again and again as I have with those three. It is fitting that Fleming's last Bond book has Bond returning to the island of Jamaica, which was the setting for two other Bond novels, and was a place that Ian Fleming knew very well, having owned a home there. Like in many of these novels, the setting's ambience becomes as every bit as critical to the story as the characters themselves.

The story is refreshing because of its simplicity. No worlds on the brink of disaster plot here, as in the cartoonish films and Bond novels by other authors. Bond's mission is to assassinate an assassin in an attempt to recover his standing in the Secret Service. And the story unfolds from there.

Those who expect the lack of subtlety of the films will probably deplore this book. But those who have enjoyed the Bond series by Fleming will relish the opportunity to share this last adventure with an old friend. Subsequent authors have never been able to recapture the Fleming magic.

Very Good Book! Own Now and yo'll be the man with the Golden Book! A lot of action and all! I had a hard time putting it down! Own now!

Although the authors seemed to know what they were talking about (even if they come across somewhat "preachy" by telling us what was good, what was bad, and why John Barry should have won an award for each film), I was very disappointed by...

THE GLARING ERROR!

The book states that Ernst Stavro Blofeld was last seen in Diamonds Are Forever. When I read this, I quickly turned to the section on For Your Eyes Only. John Hollis is credited with appearing as the "bald villain confined to a wheelchair." I can't believe that the authors completely missed the importance of James Bond visiting his wife's grave and then killing the man responsible for her murder!

I still gave the book two stars. The sections on each film seem to be complete with most of the women, vehicles and gadgets that were used in each. Also, the photos are excellent.

If you're a James Bond fan, you'll enjoy the book. Fortunately, it doesn't include the lame Die Another Day. The last film presented is The World is Not Enough.

The Essential Bond: the Authorized Guide to the World of 007 is one of the best 007 books ever. If you want a 007 book that's filled with exciting and rare photgraphs and a book with interesting information about James Bond, then this is the book for you. One day I went to a book store and saw this book, i expected it to be filled with the same dull pictures that every 007 book has, but this was different. Want to see what Ursula Andress was really wearing in the radiation scene in Dr. No? Want to see Pussy Galore's Flying Cicrcus girls showing off a plane? Care to see behind-the-scene pictures for every Bond movie, this is the book for you.

The book begins with a tribute to the father of the Bond Movies, Albert R. "Cubby" Broccoli. Learn how he took over the series in 1976 and how finally died in 1996. The book then moves in chronological order discussing ever Bond movie from Dr. No to The World is Not Enough. Casino Royale and Never Say Never Again are also included. For every film a list of cast and crew is present as are a section on the assignment, women, villains, allies, vehicles, gadgets, music, marketing, box-office, sevreal rare phots and small captions about certain parts of the movie. every film has exclusive pictures like Luciana Paluzzi and Terence young clowning for cameras on the set of Thunderball. Take a peek at home items and toys that were released for every film by several companies. Find out all about the talented group of people such as Shirley Bassey and Duran Duran who performed the stunning title songs. After the film sections are finished, a section called The Literary 007 follows. this ection tells all about Ian Fleming and his 14 novels that formed the basis for many films. The James Bond Family comes next. Learn about Cubby, Dana and Barbara Broccoli and her step-brother Michael G. wilson and how they create the wonderful Bond movies. Harry Saltzman, Terence Young, Louis Gilbert, John Glen, Guy Hamilton, Peter Hunt, Michael Apted, Roger Spottiswood and Martin Campbell are all included. Writers, Cameramen, stuntmen, production designers, special effects and some very talented men that created the main-title sequences are in this section. The book includeds a part on Popular culture and other James Bonds and finally closes with a picture of Harry Saltzman, Ian Fleming and Albert Broccoli with a fitting sentence that describes their view of the world of 007.

An excellent book that covers a great amount of information and enhanced with magnificent photgraphs and pictures. A must-have for all Bond fans!

This book got me hooked on the James Bond phenomenon. It goes into great detail about 007's villains, allies, gadgets, vehicles and of course, the women. It is witty and informative and looks at every film from Dr. No to Tomorrow Never Dies. The only criticisms are that the book omits minor characters and at times, the authors include too many of their own opinions which does not allow the reader to make their own mind up about the films. In summary, an excellent book worth the money with loads of colour pictures (some never seen before).

Reading "The Spy Who Loved Me" is like being trapped with a dull guest at a bad cocktail party. While you're waiting for Bond to show up, the heroine has you pinned in the corner, away from the drinks, telling you all about her sad childhood and her leaving home. While your eyes are scanning the room, she is telling you about her love life, her sexual exploits, the men who have used and discarded her, and a lot of other stuff you don't really want to hear about.

To be honest, I'm not entirely sure what else she talks about, because my attention started to wander. Instead of making an excuse about going to the bathroom, I began skipping chapters, looking for Bond. He showed up a third of the way through the book, wiht an excuse involving a case he'd just finished. This was by far the most excruciating part of the book, because, by this point, the contrast between the interesting exploits Bond recounted and the painfully dull book itself is just heartbreaking. Of course, by that point in the book, "A Field Guide to Birds in the West Indies" probably would have read like "Goldfinger."

Eventually, the book decides to take up the, um, plot. It's not worth the wait. Let's just say that, for a guy who's singlehandedly averted world war on more than one occasion, Slugsy and Horror -- yes, those are the villians' names -- must seem like a doozy of a step down. I won't spoil whatever surprises the book has by revealing their plan, but you can safely assume it falls just a tad short of stealing a nuclear warhead or destroying the gold in Fort Knox.

In short, this is, by far, the worst of the Bond novels. There's a reason why the movie has nothing to do with the book. You should do likewise.

It's been said that Ian Fleming was not fond of his book, "The Spy Who Loved Me". Since he placed a note at the book's beginning, claiming someone left the manuscript on his desk, one can guess that this might be true. Whatever the author's feelings were, "The Spy Who Loved Me" is an enjoyable novel, although it does differ from Fleming's other Bond novels.

"The Spy Who Loved Me" is unique for a James Bond novel, in that the story is told through the eyes of a "Bond Girl". Vivienne Michel recalls her travels, her new job at a motel and the danger she encounters one night at the hands of a couple thugs. Enter James Bond, who is more heroic than ever as he fights to be her savior.

In recent years, the Ian Fleming Bond novels have gone in and out of print. Don't hesitate to pick up "The Spy who Loved Me" and the other Bond books before they become impossible to find!

It's been said that Ian Fleming was not fond of his book, "The Spy Who Loved Me". Since he placed a note at the book's beginning, claiming someone left the manuscript on his desk, one can guess that this might be true. Whatever the author's feelings were, "The Spy Who Loved Me" is an enjoyable novel, although it does differ from Fleming's other Bond novels.

"The Spy Who Loved Me" is unique for a James Bond novel, in that the story is told through the eyes of a "Bond Girl". Vivienne Michel recalls her travels, her new job at a motel and the danger she encounters one night at the hands of a couple thugs. Enter James Bond, who is more heroic than ever as he fights to be her savior.

In recent years, the Ian Fleming Bond novels have gone in and out of print. Don't hesitate to pick up "The Spy who Loved Me" and the other Bond books or tapes before they become impossible to find!

Three stars, but just barely. ZERO MINUS TEN has some intriguing moments, and the plot, in general, is actually pretty solid. It's a step up from John Gardner's inane entries in the series, but this is still a far cry from Ian Fleming's Bond. 007 still has some rough edges, but what ostensibly passes for Bond having "gained wisdom from his experiences" reeks of political correctness. Beyond that, though, the writing often slips into long-winded details that don't naturally flow into the narrative; Fleming had mastered the art of merging minutiae with storytelling like few other writers; Benson isn't there yet. And worst of all, in the action-oriented scenes, Benson's prose becomes sloppy, chock-full of passive phrasing and superficial description. There's no passion or sense of urgency, especially when Bond's life is on the line; you're not -inside- the character... you're simply witnessing events from outside. Sadly, when Benson delves into Bond's psyche, the result is endless lines of internalized questioning--to the point of becoming ludicrous. Hardly the self-confident, arrogant, coldhearted professional who yet somehow remained human that Fleming delivered. The villain has adequate motivation to be believable but is otherwise colorless. The best character here is the Chinese Triad chief, Li Xu Nan, who comes across as a more Fleming-inspired personality, a la Marc Ange Draco. Give it a go if you're a Bond completist...

Raymond Benson is no Ian Fleming, but this version of Bond is fantastic nonetheless. The plot is intriguing and plausible. Bond's character is a nice return to Fleming, instead of the implausible waste of Gardner(except Cold Fall). One thing that is a nice change from the series is that we don't know who the bad guy is at first. And I won't tell for that'll ruin the surprise. The storyline revolves around a series of increasingly violent and aggressive incidents; i.e a solicitor killed in a car bombing, a floating restraunt with executives being blown up, the murder of two Chinese politicos; that threaten the peaceful transition of Hong Kong. I love the action in the Hong Kong Bank. The characters include the British superspy James Bond; a seductive dancer Sunni; a Triad crime lord or Cho Kun, sadistic Chinese General Won; T.Y Woo, Bond's contact; and Guy Thackery, the President of a EurAsia Enterprises. The violence explodes into a plot to nuke Hong Kong. My first Bond by Benson. A must-read for any Bond or spy fan.

It's been a long time, but what we have here is the best of the non-Fleming Bond books, surpassing John Gardner's first effort, License Renewed and Kingley Amis' pastiche, Colonel Sun. The only rule that Raymond Benson seems to have followed was to write a Bond adventure he, a great Bond fan himself, would want to read.

With a stylistic nod to Ian Fleming, Benson allows Bond to follow a complicated trail of conspiracy through Macao mah-jhong parlors, Hong Kong triad rituals, corrupt echelons in the People's Liberation Army, a trek through the Australian outback, until finally reaching a moment of truth just as Britain is handing over Hong Kong to the Chinese.

The loyal Bond fan will be delighted to find that Benson has done his homework. He has Fleming's journalistic eye for detail and successfully recreates the noted "Fleming effect" of verisimilitude despite some rather outlandish situations.

Having visited Hong Kong on several occasions, I can state that he nailed the detail and the atmosphere of several locations, including the Chinnery Bar in the Mandarin Oriental--just the sort of clubby place that Fleming would have loved.

The whole book injects a freshness into the character and the series of novels, which, quite frankly, were growing stale under Gardner's stewardship.

Benson remains true to the character, provides some great villains and action set-pieces, sexy women and at least two terrific physical ordeals for 007.

Zero minus Ten is great fun, especially for Bond enthusiasts. Not to be missed.