From Russia With Love retailer Book by Ian Fleming / Macmillan Company printing 1957 Edition

This is a collector's dream. First published in 1957 by English author Ian Fleming. This book is released as a SIGNET BOOK by arrangement of The Macmillan Company, (the American edition), from 1957 and is the 27th printing from that same year. This is a true gem for a 007 fan or book collector.

“Bond…James Bond”. It is amazing that just a single name can say so much about the beloved character developed originally by Ian Fleming. The story is 191 pages about a British Secret Service Agent with the plots and counter plots between the British and Russian intelligence agencies mostly taking place in Istanbul and on The Orient Express. And it is the first novel in which Bond receives a gadget from the beloved Q.

This paperback is in fair to good condition considering it is over 60 years old. There is a torn corner on both the front and back retailer cover. And two signatures on the front page, advertising Murder on the Orient Express, which I have not been able to track down this exact copy. This is a rare edition. A few pages have slight folded pages and aging spots. But the spine is good and every page can be clearly read. That is the reason this price is reduced compared to others on the market.

My Grandfather picked up this book when it was published and passed it on to my father who had a love for the original Fleming's novels and movies. I grew up watching the Bond movies, watching documentaries and docudramas on Fleming. Hearing my dad recount stories from his childhood with his father. It was a treat for me to listen to him. This book has been in the family for three generations.

A bit about this novel: It was written at Fleming's Goldeneye Estate in Jamaica when his health was deteriorating. At that time, he thought it might be his last Bond book that is why he ended it with poisoning the main charter to kill him off if needed. A visit from the Prime Minister, Sir Anthony Eden, to his estate raised much UK interest surrounding the novel.

The American edition, which this book is, from that first year of publication in paperback is quite rare. As it was not until 1961 that there was a surge of sales, for this book in the US, when Life magazine listed it as one of John F. Kennedy's top ten favorite books. That made Fleming quickly the biggest selling crime writer in the US. Then in 1963 it was turned into an iconic film with Sean Connery and book sales soared once again. It also was adapted to a comic strip and dramatized for radio first broadcast on the BBC Radio 4.

It has been considered the best Bond novel by many critics and fans. I personally love the Author's Note detailing how the background depicted in the book is accurate. SMERSH which was an organization founded by Joseph Stalin, focusing on counter-intelligence and counter-terrorism. Bear in mind Ian Fleming was a Brittan Naval Intelligence Officer during WWII and was involved in planning Operation Goldeneye along with the planning and oversite of two intelligence units 30 Assault Unit and T-Force. Many of his novels were based on his past experience and his imagination. Intertwined they make a “martini shaken not stirred” stellar combination.

A bit about his characters:
-Darko Kerim a prominent ally of Bond was modeled from Nazim Kalkavan who Fleming met in Istanbul in 1955 covering an Interpol conference. Much of his notes for this novel were taken verbatim from his notebook in conversations with him.
-Miss Moneypenny was based on Flemings red-headed secretary at The Times Clare Blanchard, a former girlfriend, who advised him not to publish the first Bond book or use a pseudonym name if he decided to do so.
-Q was named after Geoffrey Boothroyd who lived in Glasgow Scotland who wrote Fleming criticizing his use of the Beretta 418 pistol from then on, they were friends. Q is assumed for standing for quartermaster.
-And then our wonderful charter James Bond…. was the author of his loves favorite bird book. After she was murdered, he decided to write these novels. He wanted the simplest dullest sounding name and thus the character James Bond came to life who was anything but that.

Bring on the romantic innuendos, death periling adventures, charisma, charm, and dry wit. And in the words of our favorite hero buy this book to be “keeping the British end up, sir”!