- Paperback: 320 pages
- Publisher: ABRAMS (Oct 2006)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0810982528
- ISBN-13: 978-0810982529
- Product Dimensions: 36.2 x 26.2 x 2.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 2,312,255 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Review
The ever-growing library of Bondiana (covering both the films and Fleming's original texts) is now straining many a shelf, and a publisher has to come up with something special to avoid 007-style d ja-vu. But this is something of an unusual venture in the genre. The James Bond Legacy chronicles the remarkable evolution of the Bond movies and examines what it is about them that changed cinema forever. This is a book that, decade by decade from the Sixties on, looks at Bond in history and history in Bond. The films are set 'two minutes into the future', and they have both echoed and presaged technological developments as well as the key moments in the Cold War and its aftermath. An ambitious and handsome volume that will attract a variety of markets.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Product Description
When "Dr. No" was released in 1962, it had an immediate and lasting impact on film audiences. The character of Bond became an icon of masculine cool and an international idol who would ride the cultural zeitgeist for the next 40 years. This title chronciles the evolution of the Bond movies and examines what it is about Bond that changed cinema for ever. Decade by decade from the 1960s on, the book looks at Bond in history and history in Bond. With films that are set "two mintues into the future", they have both echoed and presaged technological developments as well as key moments in the Cold War and its aftermath. The voice of James Bond and his creators is heard through extensive interviews and the book includes commentary from famous fans and film critics from around the world. With over 550 images from the 007 archives and exclusive private collections, this book celebrates all that is Bond.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
28 of 30 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
There have been a lot of books written about the James Bond films and phenomenon; I should know because I've read them all! That's why I feel uniquely qualified and very confident in saying that this latest book (written by the two gentlemen who produced the special edition James Bond DVDs) is without a doubt THE best book yet written about the James Bond films! If you're baffled as to which book to add to you movie library, look no further because here you will find information and photos that you will not find anywhere else.
What makes this book so good? Well, first off, it's HUGE in size! A great coffee table book to be sure. The graphic layout is extremely well done and all the films are given equal time (not the case with some of the other books which tend to fixate on the Connery era). Also, for the first time in any official publication, we have coverage of the two "unofficial" James Bond films: NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN and CASINO ROYALE. Up until now these two "rogue" films have been missing from all official publications for legal reasons. JAMES BOND THE LEGACY is the first book to be published after MGM took ownership of these films, so now we are able to learn the fascinating stories of how they came to be made and, most interestingly, how they impacted and influenced the official series. Great stuff!
But what I like most about JAMES BOND THE LEGACY is how the authors look at each film within the historical context of when it was made. They focus not only on what was going on with the Bond producers at the time, but also what was going on in the world; what socio-political and even cinematic trends the Bond films were keying into. This really brings a new understanding to each film and helps explain why James Bond has endured while other "pop culture spies" (Matt Helm, Derek Flint, xXx J) failed to connect beyond their time and have long since disappeared. Most people think James Bond films are "all the same", but you will discover here that they are not. In this book I learned how throughout its amazing 20-year history the Bond filmmakers made subtle--and sometimes very bold--changes in the tone of the series and to the character of James Bond himself. This is much more than a simple look at the production and plot of each film, this is a major work on one of the most famous fictional characters of the 20th century. Oh, and the book also gives a detailed look at the new Bond movie, DIE ANOTHER DAY, with some pictures that lead me to believe this could be the best Bond movie of them all! This alone makes it stand above the rest as definitive.
JAMES BOND THE LEGACY is a must buy for all James Bond fans and anyone interested in 20th century popular culture. Again, if you buy just one book about James Bond, make it this one.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Merry Christmas,007! It took me a while (partially based on a slammer review here) to dive into reading this swollen tome of a book. Did someone say "no content"? Must be a SPECTRE plant. There is more in the way of untold stories buried between the glossy pictures than I ever expected to read! This is choice inside scoop on Bond, James Bond. I am a bit of an anorak when it comes to 007, and I am quick to say, "been there, done that" with books peddling more random trivia and plot synops from Bond films. This, in contrast,is a totally fresh take on my favorite spy. Ever heard of the James Bond riotin Boston, USA? Neither had I! There are literally dozens of tales that haven't been peddled before, and considering the truckloads published on Bond, that impressed me.
I became a fan in the late 70s (I know, the Moore films don't quite hold up for me either), but this book wasn't written like I had never seen the films. I concentrates on how Bond became popular and why he's stayed popular.It is a great story, filled with real spies and oodles swish photos from the films.
Negatives? The writers go pretty light on some of the stinkers of the series. You get the feeling they were under MI6 orders not to let loose. (But then my sister goes ga-ga over Octopussy, so there's no accounting for taste.) Also, more expensive that an EasyJet flight to almost anywhere. Glad I have a generous wife! All in all, just the best book on Bond not written by Ian Fleming. If you like the Bond films, I recommend this.
I became a fan in the late 70s (I know, the Moore films don't quite hold up for me either), but this book wasn't written like I had never seen the films. I concentrates on how Bond became popular and why he's stayed popular.It is a great story, filled with real spies and oodles swish photos from the films.
Negatives? The writers go pretty light on some of the stinkers of the series. You get the feeling they were under MI6 orders not to let loose. (But then my sister goes ga-ga over Octopussy, so there's no accounting for taste.) Also, more expensive that an EasyJet flight to almost anywhere. Glad I have a generous wife! All in all, just the best book on Bond not written by Ian Fleming. If you like the Bond films, I recommend this.
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Well this book goes on to prove that you don't!
A very well writtern definative work on the franchise but also a social history of the last forty years . The book serves as a useful reminder as to how the films very carefully reflected the feeling and moods of the last four decades.
The collection of photographs is stunning. Unusually unlike some of the other Bond books they have not just relied on the publicity photos from EON, UA or MGM. This together with the page layout and graphics makes this book a treat. I have convinced a number of my friends to buy this and think that it will appear in a number of Christimas stockings for both the old and new Bond fan.
A very well writtern definative work on the franchise but also a social history of the last forty years . The book serves as a useful reminder as to how the films very carefully reflected the feeling and moods of the last four decades.
The collection of photographs is stunning. Unusually unlike some of the other Bond books they have not just relied on the publicity photos from EON, UA or MGM. This together with the page layout and graphics makes this book a treat. I have convinced a number of my friends to buy this and think that it will appear in a number of Christimas stockings for both the old and new Bond fan.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The name's James Bond..The Legacy.
This book is genuinely brilliant.
It provides detailed and in-depth insights into the world of OO7, and is a very thorough effort from the authors John Cork & Bruce... Read more
It provides detailed and in-depth insights into the world of OO7, and is a very thorough effort from the authors John Cork & Bruce... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Josh
Fabulous Factoids! Gorgeous Pictures
Excellent book. Full of great full colour and black and white photos. Writing is superb. Well worth the money
Published on 19 Oct 2009 by S. Newby
The best Bond series book in 20 years
Perhaps the best book on James Bond in the cinema since Steven Jay Rubin's excellent 1983 long-out-of-print work THE JAMES BOND FILMS: A BEHIND THE SCENES HISTORY (any true fans... Read more
Published on 22 Mar 2005 by Darren Harrison
James Bond - The Legacy
This is THE book on Bond and it is not just a repeat of the films and their plots.The book works on two levels - firstly as the Bondology - the actors, actresses, locations ,dates,... Read more
Published on 20 May 2003 by P D STEVENS
All presentation and no content
Oh dear, what a missed opportunity. The world of James Bond is fast and exciting, filled with exotic locations, beautiful women and evil villans. Read more
Published on 5 Jan 2003 by Gornal Wolf
Benchmark for Future Tomes
Marvellous! Both as a book and a Q-Branch weapon! Seriously, this book is both a must read for the 007 fanatic, and a smashing present for those who just tune in on a bank holiday... Read more
Published on 1 Oct 2002 by "garnetvegas"
In many ways a splendid book
This is, in many ways, a splendid celebration of the 40th anniversary of the James Bond movies. It's a terrific coffee table book and the photographs are excellent, even if many... Read more
Published on 20 Sep 2002
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