This book is very good to read after you have freshly finished the Ian Fleming's original 'James Bond' books (avaliable in a new edition from Viking and Penguin: order them now!). It allows readers to take a peak into the aspects of Bond they might have missed whilst reading. Amis has taken Fleming's original facts, ellaborated, and made his own humourous, sketchy, and facinating observations. As a literary master himself, and a long-time admirer of what he calls 'the Fleming affect', Amis expertly takes apart, not just the world, but the man, James Bond. Fleming veiwed the manuscript of this book shortly before he died, and approved every part save minor quibles of what James Bond ate, drove or drank.
As stated earlier, Amis was himself a bond-fan, and said to Fleming once: "Mr Fleming, You are the only author whom I can say 'I have read all your books, and have enjoyed them thouroughly'". A due credit.
