113 replies to this topic

[mccartney007]

I see this easily replacing "The Essential Bood" as my handy quick reference book. I love it.

I'm sorry, but I really don't see why THE ESSENTIAL BOND would ever be a quick reference book. I seem to remember it being the same old, Eon-sanctioned recycled information that has made the rounds 3923424 times before and since.

This seems like an attack on something other than the book, but it really is more just a rhetorical statement.

[Bonita]

I see this easily replacing "The Essential Bood" as my handy quick reference book. I love it.

I'm sorry, but I really don't see why THE ESSENTIAL BOND would ever be a quick reference book. I seem to remember it being the same old, Eon-sanctioned recycled information that has made the rounds 3923424 times before and since.

This seems like an attack on something other than the book, but it really is more just a rhetorical statement.

Maybe The Essential Bond would be a quick reference because it has the characters and plot summaries in an easy to find fashion, plus a little behind the scenes info?

You know, the movies are "Eon-sanctioned" too. That's a problem? Did you find more info in such well-researched epics as 'Kiss Kiss Bang Bang' which lifted quotes from the Eon-sanctioned docs on Goldfinger and Thunderball without attribution if I remember correctly, or 'For Your Eyes Only' which seemed to give little insight into the films.

And, not having read the new JB Encyc., I have to ask, what do you want from a write-up on say, Karl Stromberg, that wouldn't be in an Eon-sanctioned book?

Now you may not want a book that offers write-ups on the characters & gadgets. Others will. Does that mean the book shouldn't be published? I dare say that the DK animal books the children in my family fawn over probably will disappoint someone with a PhD in Zoology, but does their lack of original research mean that the book fails as a "quick reference book"?

Should the authors get their facts wrong, that's one thing, but I do think it is only fair to judge the book by what it sets out to do. Again, the book may be junk. I don't have a copy yet. But I do have Essential Bond. Whatever shortcommings it may have (and I could list quite a few), I have a hard time thinking of any non-Eon books that are as good for say, a 12 year-old or a 20 year-old just getting into Bond. Legacy has a nice section in the back listing major characters, etc. Rubin's Encyclopedia covers a lot of ground but has more factual errors, and Incredible World of 007 is long out of print (I prefer it to Essential, btw). And, as DK has proven in the past, people want their pictures.

But an attack on a book that only covers the fictional world of Bond because it only covers, well, the fictional world of Bond, seems somewhat misplaced.

keep dancing,
Bonita

[Gobi-1]

The entries for the films themselves are located at the end of the book and they take up two pages each. The main content is a summary of the film and the production of it. On the left shoulder of the page are the credits for the film and on the right shoulder there is an entry for the key members of the Bond production team. For example Cubby Broccoli's entry is located with Dr. No and Harry Saltzman is located with From Russia With Love. Each film entry is accompanied with numerous photos and poster artwork.

As for photos there are a lot I've never seen before. Many are behind-the-scenes shots, alternate angles, and a few deleted scenes. Many of the photos are quite large taking up almost then entire page. Us fan artist can have a field day with this book and a scanner.

Craig is featured very heavily throughout the book with many photos. Dalton and Lazenby do get the least amount of photos although the Dalton films themselves seem to be well represented both Maryam d'Abo and Carely Lowell receive full page spreads. Connery, Moore, Brosnan and Craig get the lion's share of the photos. I haven't counted but I think Craig has more then Brosnan.

Honestly I think the book is worth it just for the photos alone.

[Gobi-1]

I see this easily replacing "The Essential Bood" as my handy quick reference book. I love it.

I'm sorry, but I really don't see why THE ESSENTIAL BOND would ever be a quick reference book. I seem to remember it being the same old, Eon-sanctioned recycled information that has made the rounds 3923424 times before and since.

This seems like an attack on something other than the book, but it really is more just a rhetorical statement.

That's an absurd argument. "The Essential Bond" makes for a poor reference book because it has the basic information for the film? Releases dates, actor names, vehicle models, gadgets, guns, locations. What should I expect to find in a James Bond reference book? Ian Fleming's shoe size?

I'm always referring to "The Essential Bond" to make sure I have the correct spelling for an actor's name or foreign locations, box office totals, and release dates. Those nuggets of information that may slip your mind from time to time.

Plus "The Essential Bond" is paperback so I can pick it up easy and flip through it. Something you can't say for the unwieldily "James Bond: The Legacy." While the new encyclopedia is hardcover it isn't nearly as tall and heavy as "The Legacy" and since it goes into more detail then "The Essential Bond" I can see myself going to it first when I need to make a quick reference.

[mccartney007]

Fair enough. Maybe THE ESSENTIAL BOND is a book that perhaps I don't need personally. I just assumed the stuff in THE ESSENTIAL BOND is stuff that I already know and contains information that I assume most casual CBN James Bond fans already know Apparently I am wrong in this assumption and I certainly didn't mean to offend or demean any fan in these forums. I just think there are better books out there, I guess. Sorry.

[ACE]

The thing with books about Bond is that we want them ALL to be the most definitive texts, littered with new information and stunning, unpublished pictures.

However, these books are written to sell copies and appeal to the general film (and/or Bond) fan. It is as unrealistic to keep requesting the book described above as it is to get a period piece, novel-hugging film version of The Spy Who Loved Me.

When we do get something good (IMHO, James Bond: The Legacy), people think it merely kow-tows to the powers that be. I see it as a comprehensive text, a book version of the DVD's. The Art Of Bond was not meant to be an encyclopedia and it is the only place that I can read about Ridley Scott, Spielberg and Peter Jackson's love of Bond. For me, it's worth it for that alone. Both, of course, have amazing picture content.

Some unofficial books are good. I really like Barnes & Hearn's Kiss Kiss Bang Bang but some people dislike the cribbing of quotes. Others love Peter Haining's James Bond A Celebration but I dislike it because some of it has appeared before and he make no attribution whatsoever. Of course, there are so many gems such as Robert Seller's The Battle For Bond, Martin Sterling and Gary Morecambe's Martinis Girls And Guns, Dave Worral's The Most Famous Car In The World and James Chapman's Licence To Thrill as well as Steve Jay Rubin's books and the daddy (IMHO) of them all, Raymond Benson's James Bond Bedside Companion. Horses for courses.

The James Bond Encyclopedia is worth it for the new pictures alone. Like The Essential Bond, it is a primer for the world of 007, set for the Christmas market to keep Bond alive. The Essential Bond is the highest selling Bond book ever and as such is vital in keeping publishing interest alive in Bond subjects. I'd rather have these books than not. I'm pretty sure John Cork and Dave Worrall and Lee Pfeiffer and Collin Stutz could write the Bond book to end all Bond books - if that was their brief. They've all done pretty well so far - we ALL appear to have read and cherish their work!

New information on Bond is very easy to find - there is tons of it out there. However, for that information to be gathered up and deemed commercially viable for publication is a whole new different game (ask Robert Sellers about publishing The Battle For Bond). I believe any book, documentary, event on Bond which furthers my knowledge is worth having, even if you have to pan for the gold of information contained within it. The more information we get on the subject, the harder we are to please.

[doublenoughtspy]

Ace's point about the authors is key.

John Cork et al. were given a contract and a direction that the publisher wanted - and that's what he delivered - with Legacy, Bond Girls, Encyclopedia, etc.

While I'm a little disappointed that Encyclopedia ins't the "be all end all" - it hardly surprises me, because the core audience of Bond freaks is just not that large.

A wider reader base is needed for a book of that magnitude to be successful. And here's a shocker - a publisher would rather sell 10 of a general interest Bond book than 1 of an intense behind-the-scenes trivia smackdown.

Just look at the thread here about Robert Sellers The Battle for Bond - plenty of people balking at the price or only wanting to use the payment method of their choice ("I'd buy it if I could trade my wampum necklace for it - otherwise no thanks"). And that book is filled with information NO ONE knew, and with photos that have never been published.

Regarding the other books. I too love Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, and I appreciate the fact that a lot of their research is dated and sourced.

Re: Martinis Girls and Guns - I dislike the book because it has an entire chapter of quotes that are unsourced and undated. It's the czar of 2nd or 3rd hand info, IMHO. And no pictures? Come on!

Re: Haining's Celebration. I LOVE this book. Lots of never before seen photos. Info on Bond's origins that have never been published anywhere else. While some quotes are misattributed - plenty of sources are listed - things like the Daily Sketch Bond obit, Rajah's Emerald artwork, etc. etc. Ace what part(s) does Haining claim to interview a subject he actually didn't?

Re: Art of Bond. I think the major problem here is what the book was originally going to be, and its very misleading title. While I agree that it's interesting info from Spielberg,Jackson, et al. - I know that if I had access to the Eon/UA/etc. archives I'd choose Bond photos over Spielberg ones - and the lack of Dalton content in the book is downright criminal.

[David Schofield]

I am of a sufficiently cynical mindset that tends to say - "what did you expect?" The participation of the great and the good of Bondom is no sign that you will get a quality, original product. Based upon the "previous" of some of those people, quite the opposite.

In answer to ACE and doublenoughtspy's point about why do people winge about something once they have bought it, or winge about not being able to afford something they want, may I suggest: its very difficult to get a true feel for a book via a browse in a bookshop, and SOME Bond fans, however hardcore, can't afford to buy something regardless of price just because they desperately want it. And that goes for the younger, less knowlegdeable reader at whom this new book seems to be aimed. Remember, not all those on CBN get their books gratis for review purposes, chaps.

In my more deluded, completist days, I would buy every new release, no matter how much it re-heated what had been seen and written before. Now I am that bit more selective. Then again, I was duped into buying the travesty of a title that is the Art of Bond.

[doublenoughtspy]

I agree with most of your points David.

I know not everyone has unlimited funds, and rather than take a chance, they want to look at the book before they buy it.

But that requirement would put certain Bond books totally out of the running - like Seller's Battle for Bond, and Tim Greaves' Bond Women book which, gasp!, sources and dates the interviews too...

[David Schofield]

But that requirement would put certain Bond books totally out of the running - like Seller's Battle for Bond, and Tim Greaves' Bond Women book which, gasp!, sources and dates the interviews too...

Clearly, it is a question of growing knowledge on what's important to buy and what to ignore, based on quality of product and ability to buy. taht comes with experience, I suppose.

On that subject, Sellers book IS a must buy. Sadly, there are no footnotes, no quotes, and no bibiliogrpahy - or even contents page! - that a book of this quality deserves. This is an academic-quality product. To a causual, reader, however, one would assume all the stuff was taken from the letters held by Wittingham's daughter, which would be incorrect. There is no information about Sellars himself. hell, one even has Raymond Benson bagging on about, well, Raymond Benson, in his intro! Still, a great work.

Not everything is perfect. But some get closer.

[doublenoughtspy]

On that subject, Sellers book IS a must buy. Sadly, there are no footnotes, no quotes, and no bibiliogrpahy - or even contents page! - that a book of this quality deserves.

A real shame, I agree.

With most of the McClory quotes it was unclear what the source was - court documents? Letters? and the fact that hardly any where dated made them hard to put in context. Was it pre-Thunderball? During Thunderball? Warhead era?

[ACE]

Most of the books have some value, especially to a nut like me.

[TheSaint]

One of the great things about CBn is that Doublenought and I, we just talked about this recently, no longer have to be the guinea pigs that buy these books sight unseen, then tell our other Bond fan friends which books are worth getting.

Speaking of The Art of Bond, I passed on it originally because I wasn't really sure if it was worth getting. Was able to flip through it at Jim Hanley's Universe, saw photos I had never seen before, then ordered it for $10 & change on Amazon Marketplace! Sometimes it pays to wait.

[RJJB]

I normally get the November released book sight unseen. Haven't been disappointed yet. I figure I can be satisfied with the new book, rather than worrying ubout getting the updated version of another title.

As to The Art of Bond, I think it's a very enjoyable book, one you can pick up and just read a few of the quotes if you're short on time. My one complaint is that there are far too many quotes from Steven Spielberg. He is one of the last people I want to be associated with James Bond.

As for the photos in the book, very good quality, many were new to me.
My favorite picture in the shot of Diana Rigg on page 150. Takes me back to my adolescent fantasies. The book also contains the most ridiculous shot of a James Bond actor. It's on page 96. I'll leave to you to look it up.

Edited by RJJB, 12 October 2007 - 04:08 PM.

[Jim]

Doesn't appear to add much new worth finding out but probably a decent wallow; sometimes the familiar is terribly reassuring.

[Qwerty]

Looks like this is finally out in the US now.

[MarkA]

The Art Of Bond was not meant to be an encyclopedia and it is the only place that I can read about Ridley Scott, Spielberg and Peter Jackson's love of Bond. For me, it's worth it for that alone.

Most of the books have some value, especially to a nut like me.

I say you are too easily pleased or afraid to upset anyone. I expected the Encyclopaedia to be what it was, so no surprises there. But its still a lazy book whatever its audience. But the Art of Bond was just dreadful, who cares about Ridley Scott and friends love of Bond. I wanted to read about Ken Adam, Peter Lamont, Syd Cain, Maurice Binder, Danny Kleinman and all the other unknown storyboard artists, costume designers etc who really contributed to the Art of Bond. We all know Peter Jackson and Spielberg love Bond. Well heck so do I, big deal.

[scaramunga]

Gobi thanks for the update!

Mine should ship this week. Looking forward to it.

Mark A - I agree with you the Art of Bond was not that great.

A different idea, but it just didn't work. I really wish they would do a book about the marketing of the films. Ads, posters (I know there is a book about the posters and I do have it, but not a lot of info in it), newspaper artwork for different US cities, ad recorded for tv and radio, merchandise...

Other cool things that I'm forgetting..

Edited by scaramunga, 16 October 2007 - 02:12 AM.

[Righty007]

I pre-ordered my copy from Amazon a few days ago and they didn't ship it today when they said it would be shipped. Does anybody know why?

[Professor Dent]

I pre-ordered my copy from Amazon a few days ago and they didn't ship it today when they said it would be shipped. Does anybody know why?

Not sure but I'm in the same boat. I pre-ordered from Amazon as well & my order is still listing an October 17th delivery date.

[Righty007]

I pre-ordered my copy from Amazon a few days ago and they didn't ship it today when they said it would be shipped. Does anybody know why?

Not sure but I'm in the same boat. I pre-ordered from Amazon as well & my order is still listing an October 17th delivery date.

I had mine bundled with Stephen Colbert's new book and they sent that out today. They didn't charge me extra for shipping but I'd still like to get the encyclopedia on the same day.

[sharpshooter]

My encyclopedia will be coming soon I expect.

[Gobi-1]

The Art of Bond is good but it's title is very misleading. It should have been called The Bond Mystique or something. A real book about The Art of Bond should be about the designers of the Bond films.

Edited by Gobi-1, 16 October 2007 - 04:08 AM.

[Qwerty]

Going to check Borders for it tomorrow.

[RJJB]

I received notification from Barnes & Noble that it's going to be about 4-5 days before it ships. Sounds as though the distribution is a bit delayed everywhere.

Edited by RJJB, 16 October 2007 - 06:47 PM.

[ACE]

I expected the Encyclopaedia to be what it was, so no surprises there. But its still a lazy book whatever its audience. But the Art of Bond was just dreadful...

Why do you keep buying the books?

[Righty007]

My encyclopedia will be coming soon I expect.

Amazon charged my credit card and are getting ready to ship it.

[Bonita]

RE: Art of Bond...

I for one enjoyed reading about how a visit to the Dr. No set inspired Ridley Scott to pursue a film career and about Peter Jackson and Speilberg, and the authors who were inspired by Fleming. Most of the other stories had already been told on the DVDs or elsewhere, so they weren't fresh. But for many buyers, they will never watch the DVD special features, so why not have the stories in a book?

But everyone wants a different book. I'd love to have a book that just went into the scores for each film. Love to have one on the Bond toys and collectibles (this seems a natural).

Alas, I don't have to balance the profit and loss statements for the publishers. They want books that appeal to the largest segment out there. I'm sure great stalwarts like Bedside Companion and Rubin's Encyclopedia have only a percentage of the sales of Essential Bond.

Still don't have this new "visual" Encyclopedia, but I do look forward to it, warts and all.

keep dancing,
Bonita

[stromberg]

I'm leaning towards buying the Encyclopedia, as I see it as an addition to "The Legacy".
But I'll wait and see until I held it in my hands. I don't expect any spectacular insights from it, so it's all down to the pictures (and their quality) and the layout and make of the book. If I like it (which I expect), I'll give it a go.

But when in need of an encyclopedia on Bond, one for the geeks, I grab my "James Bond XXL" http://www.bondappetit.de , a book which has (sadly for most of you out there) been published in Germany last year. 1850 pages, 10000 entries (comes in two volumes). Each volume has about 30 full colour picture pages, the rest is typeset in "Maltin's" style. I havent been able to check it entirely, but I daresay that it contains every actor, technician, book/movie character, vehicle, gadget, location and whatdoyouwant that has ever played a part in a Bond book or movie. It has lists from room numbers, numberplates and codes to dedications of Bond novels and stunt teams, summaries of all the novels (by chapter) and movies, a timeline, movie credits, soundtrack listings etc. etc. The book's website has a list of all entries, and even if you don't speak German, you should check this quite impressive list: http://www.bondappet.../Buchinhalt.htm

That's what I call an "encyclopedia", everything else is - to a different extent - a "book on Bond". I know that it took the authors several years to finish and publish this thing. This is a labour of love. You can't do this when you're out to earn money with it. 5-7 years of research and writing for two people and the result is a book that sells for about 30 Euros. You won't get something like that on any 'official' book, as it'll never really bring its money back. The most comprehensive books (on any fandom, btw) will always be the ones that come from fans (not that I want to say that the 'Encyclopedia' aren't Bond fans), not the ones that come from hired professionals. We have to go with what we get, but everyone who complains that this book or that one is not complete enough or should have this or that content should feel motivated to go ahead and produce the book by himself - and see where it all ends up.

[ACE]

I'm leaning towards buying the Encyclopedia, as I see it as an addition to "The Legacy".
But I'll wait and see until I held it in my hands. I don't expect any spectacular insights from it, so it's all down to the pictures (and their quality) and the layout and make of the book. If I like it (which I expect), I'll give it a go.

But when in need of an encyclopedia on Bond, one for the geeks, I grab my "James Bond XXL" http://www.bondappetit.de , a book which has (sadly for most of you out there) been published in Germany last year. 1850 pages, 10000 entries (comes in two volumes). Each volume has about 30 full colour picture pages, the rest is typeset in "Maltin's" style. I havent been able to check it entirely, but I daresay that it contains every actor, technician, book/movie character, vehicle, gadget, location and whatdoyouwant that has ever played a part in a Bond book or movie. It has lists from room numbers, numberplates and codes to dedications of Bond novels and stunt teams, summaries of all the novels (by chapter) and movies, a timeline, movie credits, soundtrack listings etc. etc. The book's website has a list of all entries, and even if you don't speak German, you should check this quite impressive list: http://www.bondappet.../Buchinhalt.htm

That's what I call an "encyclopedia", everything else is - to a different extent - a "book on Bond". I know that it took the authors several years to finish and publish this thing. This is a labour of love. You can't do this when you're out to earn money with it. 5-7 years of research and writing for two people and the result is a book that sells for about 30 Euros. You won't get something like that on any 'official' book, as it'll never really bring its money back. The most comprehensive books (on any fandom, btw) will always be the ones that come from fans (not that I want to say that the 'Encyclopedia' aren't Bond fans), not the ones that come from hired professionals. We have to go with what we get, but everyone who complains that this book or that one is not complete enough or should have this or that content should feel motivated to go ahead and produce the book by himself - and see where it all ends up.

Nice work, Stromberg. I totally agree. Of course, one needs to be able to read German, but these two volumes are amazing. There are no pictures, illustrations and, from what I can make out, no original research but as a comprehensive digest of Bond, James Bond XXL is a feast - gutes eten !