The Book of Bond

The Book of Bond is a playful instruction manual written by Kingsley Amis under the pseudonym Lt.-Col. William Tanner. Published by Jonathan Cape in 1965, it provides detailed guidance on how to emulate the lifestyle and habits of James Bond. The book draws extensively from Ian Fleming's original novels to outline everything from drink selections and dining preferences to dress codes and behavioral patterns. The first edition featured a clever disguise - a false slipcover titled "The Bible to be Read as Literature," referencing a prop from one of Fleming's Bond novels. Amis, who was friends with Fleming, wrote this work as part of his larger engagement with the Bond franchise, which included The James Bond Dossier and the novel Colonel Sun. The book includes specific examples and citations from Fleming's works to support its instructions. Through its satirical approach to the Bond phenomenon, the book serves as both a practical guide and a commentary on the cultural impact of Fleming's famous spy character. It highlights the aspirational nature of Bond's lifestyle while gently poking fun at the detailed conventions Fleming established throughout the series.

Readers describe this book as a humorous instruction manual for aspiring James Bond-types rather than a serious analysis. Most online reviewers note they bought it expecting a literary critique of Fleming's work but found a tongue-in-cheek guide instead. Liked: - Amis's deep knowledge of Bond minutiae - The dry British humor and wit - Useful as a reference guide to Bond's tastes and habits - The alternative pen name "Lt.-Col. William ('Bill') Tanner" Disliked: - Too short at only 128 pages - Hard to find copies in good condition - Some references feel dated - Several readers mentioned disappointment it wasn't a more academic analysis Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (47 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (12 ratings) LibraryThing: 3.5/5 (8 ratings) One Goodreads reviewer called it "an amusing curiosity for Bond completists." Multiple Amazon reviewers noted it works better as a collectible than a readable book.

The Complete James Bond Companion by John Pearson A historical and factual examination of Ian Fleming's life, writing process, and the real-world inspirations behind James Bond's missions and adversaries.

Bond on Bond by Roger Moore First-hand accounts from Roger Moore's time as James Bond blend with behind-the-scenes details about the film series' production methods, stunts, and cultural impact.

The James Bond Bedside Companion by Raymond Benson A comprehensive analysis of Ian Fleming's novels, the film adaptations, and the evolution of the Bond character across different mediums and decades.

For Your Eyes Only: Ian Fleming and James Bond by Ben Macintyre An investigation into the connections between Ian Fleming's wartime intelligence career and the creation of James Bond, revealing the true stories that inspired the fiction.

The Battle for Bond by Robert Sellers A detailed chronicle of the legal battles, production conflicts, and rights disputes that shaped the James Bond franchise from novels to screen.

🍸 Kingsley Amis published the book under the pseudonym "Lt.-Col. William ('Bill') Tanner," a character who appears in several James Bond novels as M's Chief of Staff. 🕴️ In his personal life, Amis was good friends with Ian Fleming and later wrote the first James Bond novel after Fleming's death - "Colonel Sun" (1968) under the pen name Robert Markham. 📚 The book's clever disguise with "The Bible to be Read as Literature" slipcover was inspired by a scene in "From Russia with Love" where Bond uses a similar tactic. 🎭 Despite its humorous tone, the book is considered one of the first serious analytical works about James Bond's character and helped establish Bond literary criticism. 🍷 The detailed sections about Bond's drinking habits later influenced real-world cocktail culture, particularly regarding the proper preparation of martinis and other classic cocktails.