Books by Rough Guides Staff
The Rough Guide to James Bond
INTRODUCTION
Hes what you would expect of an adolescent mind which I happen to possess
Ian Fleming
The names... Do we really need to go on? Just those two words are enough to conjure up the most famous fictional character of the 20th century. In this ever-changing world in which we live, James Bond remains essentially the same. His appearance has changed (albeit not as often as his favoured vintage of champagne) but 007 is recognisably the same character Ian Fleming dreamt up in 1952, the man every boy wants to be. He is a superhero without superpowers; a St George fighting contemporary dragons with a handgun and a stream of one-liners; a secret agent as admired by men (even his enemies) as he is irresistible to women; a hero so indestructible his popularity has survived changing political and sexual mores, some formulaic films and (post-Fleming) some deeply average thrillers.
We might not all want to be Bond (or slip between the sheets with him) but a character who started out as one mans fantasy has become a fantasy enough of us share (or enjoy) to support a small industry, symbolised by the seemingly unstoppable movie franchise which has racked up more than $2 billion at the box office. His global appeal is, perhaps, Bonds most stupendous feat of all: invented by a middle-aged, upper-middle class Brit, he has become a nationless, classless, ageless icon, as recognisable as Elvis, JFK or Madonna (mother of Lourdes, not of Jesus).
He may not be able to fly but he has proved as indestructible a superhero as Superman. And, in an industrial sense, he has more staying power than winged wonders or men of steel. Although there have been some duff Bond movies, the quality control exercised, mainly by the Broccolis (Cubby and Barbara), has, by Hollywood standards, been exceptional. You only have to look at the various Tarzan movies to see the shambles Bonds celluloid career could have become in other hands.
His appeal may rest in the fact that we dont know much about him. At least little that matters. He is a hero who never bores us because after half a century (and 20 movies, 33 novels, various novelisations and short stories) we know less about what makes him tick than wed discover if we asked him round for dinner.
While this book wont tell you what makes Bond tick, it hopes to tell you almost everything else you need to know about 007, his creator, the books and movies, the girls hes bedded, the villains hes bested and the gadgets hes tested. So mix yourself a vodka martini (youll find the recipe on p109) and enjoy.
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The Rough Guide Rock: The Definitive Guide to More than 1200 Artists and Bands (3rd Edition: Expanded and Completely Revised)
Compiles career biographies of over 1,200 artists and rock music reviews written by fans covering every phase of rock from R&B through punk and rap.
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The Rough Guide Book of Playlists, 2nd edition (Rough Guide Reference)
by Rough Guides Staff, Mark Ellingham
iPods and MP3 players have changed the way we listen to music: it’s all about songs rather than albums, and making your own compilations. This is the first music guide that gets it: a book of 500 playlists, each of them packed with great music to rip or download. It features artists from Marvin Gaye to Nick Cave, Björk to Manu Chao, Rufus Wainwright to Thelonious Monk, Frank Sinatra to Franz Ferdinand, genres from Britpop to Krautrock, dub to Motown, bebop to bhangra, punk to drum’n’bass, fado to gangsta rap, and themes including Broken hearts, motoring music, protest songs, and covers that beat the originals. Packed with quirks and silliness including singing drummers, aliens, chickens and insects, drinking songs, and even music raved about in Murakami novels.
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Mexican Spanish, Dictionary Phrasebook (A Rough Guide Phrasebook)
Includes clear grammar and phonetic pronunciation guidelines, etiquette and cultural tips and a menu reader. The most user-friendly phrasebooks on the market.
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