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Want a free Bond book for Xmas?


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#1 Hitch

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Posted 26 December 2004 - 10:42 PM

As a spotty child, I owned all of Ian Fleming's Bond novels. As a disgruntled and moody teenager I gave them all away. On reaching supposed maturity I regretted the loss. In my dotage I started to collect the books and have enjoyed meeting Commander Bond once more.

All of which is a roundabout way of saying I envy those who have yet to meet Fleming's 007. If what you know of Bond is what you have seen in the entertaining films, then you are in for a pleasant surprise. The Bond films are tremendous fun but they are to the novels what lemonade is to a vodka martini.

So...(get on with it, Hitch)...I often see people in these forums and elsewhere (MI6.com and AbsolutelyJamesBond) asking if Fleming's books are worth reading. Others are desperate to find the Fleming books but can't buy them from their local bookstores or rent them from a library.

So...(GET ON WITH IT, HITCH!!)...there's a bookshop near me that has a few, a very few, of the Pan paperpacks of the early 1960s for sale. These copies reek of the world of Bond, have excellent covers (much better than recent reissues in my opinion) and usually have a snazzy photo of Mr Fleming on the back. They seem, well, authentic, if that's not too pretentious. Here

#2 Auric

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Posted 26 December 2004 - 11:55 PM

:) I applaud you for your effort to get Ian Flemings' literary works in the hands of other people so they can see another side of bond, definitely my favorite. And also, Penguin Books (at least here in the US) rereleased all of Flemings' original works, on paper back with original cover art, they're a bit small, and cost 13.00 us each, but they're available on order from any b dalton and Barnes and Noble have them in stock! I snagged a copy of each and i'm reading them in order they were written, and it's amazing how vulnerable James Bond seems in those books, but yes before i ramble more, it's definitely worth the read, and i reccomend them to anyone that even isn't a bond fan, they're just in general well written and exciting books, that from first page to last, keep you from wanting to put it down!

#3 Qwerty

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Posted 27 December 2004 - 12:18 AM

Welcome to the CBn Forums Auric! Glad to see you enjoy the literary Bond quite a bit!

#4 Number Six

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Posted 27 December 2004 - 12:26 AM

What a great offer. Yesterday, I got a copy of the new Penguin Octopussy + The Living Daylights, so my Bond collection is complete (I even have Alligator and the Diamond Smugglers!). Heads up to other Bond collectors -- the Media Play chain of stores has some of the Penguin novels on sale for $3 apiece. My folks got me all that they could find at our Media Play -- Casino Royale, Moonraker, Diamonds Are Forever and the aforementioned Octopussy. These are nice books that, as has been mentioned, usually cost $13 apiece.

--Eric

#5 Qwerty

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Posted 27 December 2004 - 12:42 AM

What a great offer. Yesterday, I got a copy of the new Penguin Octopussy + The Living Daylights, so my Bond collection is complete (I even have Alligator and the Diamond Smugglers!). Heads up to other Bond collectors -- the Media Play chain of stores has some of the Penguin novels on sale for $3 apiece. My folks got me all that they could find at our Media Play -- Casino Royale, Moonraker, Diamonds Are Forever and the aforementioned Octopussy. These are nice books that, as has been mentioned, usually cost $13 apiece.

--Eric

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Really?! I collected them all when they first came out, but I would think Media Play would still keep them at their list prices, seeing as they usually do that with most non-hardcover books, unless there is a specific sale.

#6 Hitch

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Posted 01 January 2005 - 04:07 PM

*watches tumbleweed roll across the computer screen*

Thanks for your restraint. :)

Just to repeat:

Yes, I will send a book for free to the four corners of the earth.
Yes, the book will be yours for free/gratis/nothing/nada/zip.
No, I am not a conman or crook. I don't want money, email addresses, favours, etc. I want the books to go to people who will get a thrill from meeting the real James Bond. :)

Please remember that the books are the Pan paperbacks from the 1960s. The brand new Penguin paperbacks are excellent, but wouldn't it be nice to own a Bond book published when Ian Fleming was still not wasting his days in trying to prolong them?

If you want a book, please read the first entry in this thread.

Happy New Year! :)

#7 Hitch

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Posted 05 January 2005 - 05:50 PM

*taps screen*

Hello? Is this a case of "beware geeks bearing gifts"? :)

If no-one wants a book then I may be forced to become bitter and twisted (too late! I hear you cry) and return to my underwater lair to plan world domination.

As Batman once said: "Some days you just can't get rid of a bomb!"

OK then, I'll extend my offer to all Bond fans and not just those who haven't read any Fleming or are looking for one they haven't read before.

So, for the last time, if anyone out there would like a free snazzy '60s Pan paperback Bond novel, please read the first post in this thread.

*flicks switch and descends with snooker table*

:)

#8 TheSaint

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Posted 06 January 2005 - 03:28 AM

I've wanted to introduce my nephew to Fleming(he's 14), and have been considering getting him the new Penguin re-releases but, the offer of a free Pan version is too good to pass up so, if that store still has Casino Royale, I'd appreciate a copy. Thanks in advance.

#9 Hitch

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Posted 06 January 2005 - 09:12 AM

Ah, my first customer.

*rubs hands, chuckles evilly*

The last time I popped into the shop, Casino Royale was sitting on the shelves looking rather lonely. Give me a day or so to pick it up and then I'll send it to you.

The Casino Royale cover is very striking - I hope your nephew enjoys his first visit to Universal Exports. :)

Regards,

Hitch.

#10 Hitch

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Posted 06 January 2005 - 11:49 AM

Hi, TheSaint,

We're in luck. The pristine copy I spotted has disappeared but the shop had another one in slightly poorer condition. It's a 16th printing from 1964, one torn page - but it's got the striking "green baize, playing cards and Credit Lyonnais cheque" cover.

http://www.mi6.co.uk...ale_covers.php3

It's a little tatty, but please remind your nephew that the book is forty-one years old and similar copies are becoming increasingly rare.

Please PM me with your full delivery address and I'll post it to you - although it might be sent by 2nd class post. I hope 007 doesn't mind travelling with the riff-raff...

:)

Edited by Hitch, 06 January 2005 - 11:50 AM.


#11 Hitch

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Posted 12 January 2005 - 02:49 PM

Hi TheSaint,

Could you please answer my PM so I know where to send the book? Thanks. :)

#12 TheSaint

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Posted 13 January 2005 - 02:17 AM

Sorry I took so long to respond.

#13 wattenscheid09

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Posted 14 January 2005 - 10:10 AM

Hitch,

It is quite a while after Christmas, and I do live in AUSTRIA, so I have no clue whether it's really possible or whether the offer is still valuable, but then again... my birtday was two days ago, sooooo....

I would love to have a nice old 60es edition of, say, Live and Let Die or Man with the Golden Gun. Haven't read both, am just re-discovering the Bond novels after an almost 15-year-hitch.

Stay in touch if it is possible. If not, thanks again for the nice offer.

#14 Hitch

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Posted 14 January 2005 - 02:46 PM

Hi TheSaint,

Casino Royale is in the post. It might take a few days to reach you because it has to travel a long way. I've sent a short covering letter with the book which I hope you and your nephew will enjoy. Happy reading! :)

Hi Wattenscheid09,

My offer is indeed still open. If you're rediscovering Bond I shall be delighted to send you a book. Unfortunately I don't have a copy of Live and Let Die or The Man With The Golden Gun - but the last time I looked my local secondhand bookshop had a classic sixties Pan copy of TMWTGG. I'll check to see if I can get that or LALD. Which would you prefer?

Regards,

Hitch.

#15 wattenscheid09

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Posted 14 January 2005 - 03:52 PM

TMWTGG. Thanks for bothering. Cool.

I think every member CBn should try to "convert" a new disciple by presenting him or her one of the Bond books as a present...:) I'm already working on a nephew (I have bought two modern-day copies of CASINO ROYALE, he's only used to Brosnan & Co - has no clue how cool the original books are. So I gave him CR for Christmas, and I hope he's in for a surprise.

Who knows, might even join us here...?

But a classic sixties copy would be a very generous thing

#16 Jaws0178

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Posted 14 January 2005 - 08:46 PM

Hows about Moonraker? I've always wanted to read it, and I think you are a great person for doing this. I've always wanted to know the literary Bond, and it is my sisters birthday today :) and if not, oh well

Todd

Edited by Jaws0178, 14 January 2005 - 08:48 PM.


#17 Hitch

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Posted 14 January 2005 - 10:42 PM

Hi Jaws0178,

"How about Moonraker?" Let's see - you haven't read it. OK, that's a good reason. :) And it's your sister's birthday? :)

You've twisted my arm.

Well...*rummages in dusty cellar, retrieves combination number for safe containing classic books rescued from secondhand book shop*...I have a 1963 14th printing of the Pan paperback of Moonraker. It's in good condition - especially considering it's 42 years old. Here's the cover:

http://www.artofjame...acks/mr_pan.jpg

Happy? :)

Send me a PM with your full postal address and the book is yours free of charge - but don't expect express delivery!

To anyone else - make sure you have a good reason to convince me you deserve a classic Bond book. :)

#18 Jaws0178

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Posted 15 January 2005 - 01:53 AM

PM sent. Thank you, Hitch!

#19 Hitch

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Posted 15 January 2005 - 03:39 PM

Hi Jaws0178,

Moonraker is in the post with a covering letter. Enjoy! :)

Hi Wattenscheid09,

I picked up a copy of The Man With The Golden Gun. :) It is a 1966 (and thus very early) Pan paperback with this cover:

http://www.artofjame.../tmwtgg_pan.jpg

Pleased? :)

It is a little battered and some of the pages are hanging on by a thread but I think you'll like it. If you don't mind I'm going to read it this weekend having last read it when I was a soprano. :) I need to refresh my memory of Fleming's last novel and see if I can spot where Fleming stops and the ghostwriter takes over. As soon as I finish the book I shall post it to you, so please PM me with your full postal address.

What else did I pick up? *pours a little sand out of bag, hastily swaps it for a golden idol and runs along corridor pursued by giant stone ball* Ah yes (and I can hardly believe my luck)...

A 1951 First Edition (hardback, naturally) :) of:

The Sixth Column - A Singular Tale of our Times by Peter Fleming.

First lines from the Prologue: "Section D.2. (d) is not one of the more important ramifications of M.I.5. Colloquially known throughout that organisation as Dust to Dust, its functions consist mainly of those marginal measures of security and counter-espionage which were overlooked when the duties of other and more important sections were defined." Remind you of anyone?

Not forgetting the dedication: "To my brother Ian"

:) :)

I might keep this one unless someone can come up with an EXCELLENT reason for me letting it go.

Please keep your requests coming - but remember to read my earlier posts in this thread.

#20 Hitch

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Posted 15 January 2005 - 09:01 PM

I forgot to mention that the bookshop also had two Book Club hardback copies (1981 - so I think they are the first impression in that format rather than First Editions) of Mr Gardner's Licence Renewed.

#21 wattenscheid09

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Posted 17 January 2005 - 05:16 AM

Wattenscheid09 says Thankee Sir. If I can find anything in my trunk from my early Bond days that might interest you I would like to repay the gentleness.....

#22 Jaws0178

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Posted 17 January 2005 - 06:51 AM

Hear, hear

Todd

#23 Number Six

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Posted 17 January 2005 - 10:12 AM

I would like to find a Signet copy of Octopussy/The Living Daylights, as it's the only Signet book I don't have. I wouldn't ask you to send me this for free, but this seemed like as good a place as any to ask how rare this particular paperback is and if anyone's seen it around.

Also, I'm trying to find a copy of the book, "For Bond Lovers Only," or at least copies of the Chandler, Dulles and Deighton essays inside, if they've been reprinted elsewhere.

Thanks,
--Eric

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#24 Hitch

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Posted 17 January 2005 - 12:18 PM

Hi Wattenscheid09 and Jaws0178,

Thanks for your kind comments. There is no need to send me anything - it's enough to know that you enjoy (or will enjoy) the Bond books. *Hitch applies for halo*

Hi Number Six,

Hmm, I wonder which 60s spy programme is your favourite? :) I'm sorry, but I don't have any Signet copies of Bond. Nor do I have what looks to be the very interesting For Bond Lovers Only. Sorry. :)

I should explain that I don't have a collection of Bond books - it's just that a nearby bookshop seems to have a decent supply of them at the moment. Best of luck in your search. I believe you might be better off looking in the "Buy, Swap, Collect" (I can't recall the exact title) forum here on CBn.

#25 Number Six

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Posted 17 January 2005 - 10:08 PM

Hitch,

I want to point out that I wasn't asking you to give me these (as they're muy expensivo), but it seemed like Bond + Old Booksellers = Good Segueway, as I thought there wasn't a shop n' swap forum. But now I know there is! Thanks!

And, surprisingly, my favorite 60s spy show is the Avengers. The Priz runs a close second though, but Patrick MacGoohan's not as easy on the eyes as Diana Rigg!

Can we have a big round of applause, everyone, for this man's generosity?

--Eric

#26 Hitch

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Posted 18 January 2005 - 12:01 AM

Number Six,

No need to explain about your request - but if I did have the books you would have got them for free. :) I'm not a book dealer (amateur or professional), just a Bond fan who is feeling ridiculously altruistic.

I've got my fingers crossed the postal service delivers the books safely. :)

And Diana Rigg = 10/10. :)

#27 Jaws0178

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Posted 18 January 2005 - 07:19 PM

Don't know when you sent it, but I will keep you updated as to when it gets here. Thanx again

Todd

#28 TheSaint

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Posted 20 January 2005 - 01:53 AM

Got the copy of Casino Royale today, Hitch-thanks!

#29 Hitch

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Posted 20 January 2005 - 11:14 AM

Ah, that's a relief.

Two questions:

Is the condition of the book acceptable?
Did you enjoy the covering letter? :)

#30 Hitch

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Posted 20 January 2005 - 02:19 PM

Wattenscheid 09,

I've finished TMWTGG. Sorry it took me so long. I'll post it today.