There are several Ian Fleming biographies out there, but I'm not sure which one I should buy. While I'm definitely interested in reading about his time creating and writing Bond, I would like to read about more than just that. What would you recommend?
Best Ian Fleming biography?
Started by
Mr. Noir
, Mar 17 2010 07:04 AM
5 replies to this topic
#2
David Schofield
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Posted 17 March 2010 - 10:11 AM
Pearson's "The Life of Ian Fleming" is by far the easier to read. Pearson' style is wonderful and is helped by Pearson's first hand expereience of Fleming and his lifestyle.
However, it was written pretty shortly after Fleming's death and Andrew Lycett's book contains far more information and insight, and is written with the benefit of 40+ additional years of the "Fleming phenomenon".
However, writing does not come as remotely naturally to Lycett as it does to Pearson and it is often a bit of a slog to get from one piece of info to the next, IMO.
Style over content, then.
These are the two major Fleming biogs, and I haven't bothered to read any others.
However, it was written pretty shortly after Fleming's death and Andrew Lycett's book contains far more information and insight, and is written with the benefit of 40+ additional years of the "Fleming phenomenon".
However, writing does not come as remotely naturally to Lycett as it does to Pearson and it is often a bit of a slog to get from one piece of info to the next, IMO.
Style over content, then.
These are the two major Fleming biogs, and I haven't bothered to read any others.
#3
Guy Haines
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Posted 17 March 2010 - 11:57 AM
Pearson's "The Life of Ian Fleming" is by far the easier to read. Pearson' style is wonderful and is helped by Pearson's first hand expereience of Fleming and his lifestyle.
However, it was written pretty shortly after Fleming's death and Andrew Lycett's book contains far more information and insight, and is written with the benefit of 40+ additional years of the "Fleming phenomenon".
However, writing does not come as remotely naturally to Lycett as it does to Pearson and it is often a bit of a slog to get from one piece of info to the next, IMO.
Style over content, then.
These are the two major Fleming biogs, and I haven't bothered to read any others.
Agreed. And just for a bit of fun, read John Pearson's "James Bond:The Authorised Biography". Not a bad attempt to fill in the gaps in Bond's life story.
#4
Dell Deaton
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Posted 17 March 2010 - 12:12 PM
Lycett is my preference of the two, but a very heavy read.Agreed. And just for a bit of fun, read John Pearson's "James Bond:The Authorised Biography". Not a bad attempt to fill in the gaps in Bond's life story.Pearson's "The Life of Ian Fleming" is by far the easier to read. Pearson' style is wonderful and is helped by Pearson's first hand expereience of Fleming and his lifestyle.
However, it was written pretty shortly after Fleming's death and Andrew Lycett's book contains far more information and insight, and is written with the benefit of 40+ additional years of the "Fleming phenomenon".
However, writing does not come as remotely naturally to Lycett as it does to Pearson and it is often a bit of a slog to get from one piece of info to the next, IMO.
Style over content, then.
These are the two major Fleming biogs, and I haven't bothered to read any others.
Add to this list James Bond - The Man and His World: The Official Companion to Ian Fleming's Creation, by Henry Chancellor. For the 007 fan, I think this covers everything one would be looking for, and it nicely blends Fleming and Bond. If you really have the time, look for non-fiction by Fleming; he wrote a lot of it. And it'll not only tell you a great deal about him, but also help you see why any "biography" of Fleming involves choices, judgement calls regarding what to accept, validate as "fact." (Many get it wrong in key areas, I think, based on my own reads.)
#5
spynovelfan
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Posted 17 March 2010 - 01:14 PM
Hard to choose between Lycett and Pearson - read both! 
I think Pearson's is more of a narrative, Lycett's more a reference volume, but both are excellent. Ian Fleming had a fascinating life, and three successful careers, as a journalist, an intelligence officer and of course as a novelist.
I think Pearson's is more of a narrative, Lycett's more a reference volume, but both are excellent. Ian Fleming had a fascinating life, and three successful careers, as a journalist, an intelligence officer and of course as a novelist.
#6
DAN LIGHTER
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Posted 17 March 2010 - 08:17 PM
Good question Mr Noir, I cant say I have read either. I have read the one Dell Deaton mentioned James Bond - The Man and His World: The Official Companion to Ian Fleming's Creation, by Henry Chancellor and can give it a 
up.
Keep meaning to get round to reading the Lycett one as it seems to always be on the bookshop shelfs still. I have flicked through it and note it mentions Flemings time in Sevenhampton in Wiltshire.
Do we know much about Fleming's time at Sevenhampton?
up. Keep meaning to get round to reading the Lycett one as it seems to always be on the bookshop shelfs still. I have flicked through it and note it mentions Flemings time in Sevenhampton in Wiltshire.
Do we know much about Fleming's time at Sevenhampton?
Edited by DAN LIGHTER, 17 March 2010 - 08:18 PM.