How to Live the James Bond Lifestyle: The Complete Seminar [Kindle Edition]

When I'd first reviewed the "How To Live the James Bond Lifestyle" seminar tape, my one regret was that Mr. Kyriazi hadn't turned that entertaining and informative ninety minute tape into a series of lectures. Well, with "The Complete James Bond Lifestyle Seminar," he has, and it is between the covers of one volume.

Unlike most of the 'Think Positive and Grow Rich' genre, Kyriazi is very forthcoming in telling colorfully unrestrained "war stories" from his own experience, which in itself is rich and varied. He was the only movie producer to create a black and white Techniscope film; a costly blunder from which he learned much about moviemaking and marketing his products and himself. Ultimately, he found himself in the cockpit of a Boeing 727, as the sole passenger on a charter flight, being treated like the Very Important Person he truly is. Just like the rest of us.

And that, of course, is the secret: To live the James Bond Lifestyle is to have a rich and varied life, to learn from the mistakes you make, learn from the good experiences as well, and ultimately to live the good life.

Kyriazi is convinced (and therefore convincing) that anyone can "be" James Bond by adopting some rational thinking, planning, a committment to action, and ultimately action itself, into his (or her) life. Kyriazi throws out the cliches of "self-improvement" books and gives the reader truly practical and empirical advice for day to day living.

The central idea of "How would Bond do it?" is easily answered. He'd start by reading Paul Kyriazi's book.

This book creatively revitalizes motivational literature. Just like the song Nobody Does it Better (theme from the movie The Spy Who Loved Me), the author has achieved the ultimate self-improvement book. The book stands apart from others in this genre because it doesn't saturate the sophisticated reader with unimaginative clichés. Instead, you are instructed to ask yourself, "What would Bond do in this situation?" But sorry ladies, this is a man's book. Although wives and girlfriends will want to put this book on they're gift list for their couch-potato husband, or tee shirt wearing boyfriend. After all, what woman would object if her man learns the ultimate secret of women and makes her feel like a Bond-Girl?

The book guides a man of any age into his own unique experience of the James Bond lifestyle, and tools to acquire the cash to pay for it. The author guides the reader to higher levels of health and prosperity and draws from his own experience, Sinatra and even his old mind science teacher to get you there. What makes this book significant is the serious wisdom interwoven amidst all the fun stuff. Every moviegoer knows that Bond dresses well, dines well and does well with women, but what makes Bond so cool under pressure? Chapter 18 guides the reader to clear the subconscious mind. Is it possible to imagine Bond doing this sort of thing? The author adds depth to the two-dimensional image on the silver screen. The reader may learn the secret of how Bond can remain so unflappable in all those scenes -- you know, like when he jokes in the face of danger.

You won't get a 00 number simply by reading this book for it's entertainment value. But if you can make yourself believe that you're a cool 007 type of guy, then you can certainly believe in the potency of all your other dreams as well. The encouraging theme of this book is explicitly stated in the movie title: You Only Live Twice!

I hadn't expected a curious thing that happened while reading "The Complete James Bond Lifestyle Seminar" book: I was already doing a lot of what I found there. But I'm in my early 40's and I've been watching and rewatching the Bond films for most of my conscious life (I'm currently rereading all of the novels and just finished Andrew Lycett's wonderful bio of Ian Fleming), so it stands to reason that something had to rub off.

But if you're in your 20's or 30's, I'm sure you'll pick up a lot of very helpful tips about the style of your new cool life. The author doesn't limit his seminar to 007 but also includes very cool and swingin' insights from Bond's American cousins--Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack.

I have to disagree with the author on page 217. He writes, "I've never seen Bond running out the door yelling, 'I'm late. I'll never make it.'" The section is called "Be Early." Good advice. And it's true that we've never seen Bond rush out late...but that doesn't mean he's always on time either. In THUNDERBALL, M chides him in front of the other double-O's with, "Now that we're all here!" And how many films have shown a flustered Moneypenny trying to track him down?

He might be late once in a while...he just doesn't get excited about it, even if the world hangs in the balance.

But that's a quibble, along with typos and the first half of the book mentioning "Blowfeld" instead of "Blofeld" (it's corrected in the second half).

So with tongue firmly planted in cheek and open to improving your coolness, you'll have a good time reading through this seminar for tips. I did.