The Man with the Golden Typewriter: Ian Fleming’s James Bond Letters

'Constantly entertaining ... So much here to amuse and inform' Observer 'These friendly, knockabout letters are a treat' Sunday Telegraph 'Irresistible' New York Times ________________________ Before the world-famous Bond films came the world-famous novels. This book tells the story of the man who wrote them and how he created spy fiction's most compelling hero. In August 1952, Ian Fleming bought a gold-plated typewriter as a present to himself for finishing his first novel, Casino Royale. It marked in glamorous style the arrival of James Bond, agent 007, and the start of a career that saw Fleming become one of the world’s most celebrated thriller writers. Before his death in 1964 he produced fourteen bestselling Bond books, two works of non-fiction and the famous children’s story Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang. Fleming’s output was matched by an equally energetic flow of letters. He wrote constantly, to his wife, publisher, editors, fans, critics and friends, including Raymond Chandler, Noël Coward and Somerset Maugham. His letters - witty and charming, funny and revealing - chart 007’s progress: from badgering his publisher about his quota of free copies to apologising to readers for having mistaken a certain brand of perfume and for equipping Bond with the wrong kind of gun. Collected here together by his nephew, the letters provide a fascinating insight into the mind of the man who created a worldwide sensation. 'Splendid' New Statesman 'A revelation' Guardian 'A fascinating portrait of Bond's creator, revealing a man of keen wit and charm' Gentleman's Journal

About the Author :
Fergus Fleming is Ian Fleming’s nephew. He is the author of several other non-fiction books including Barrow’s Boys, Killing Dragons and Ninety Degrees North. He is also the co-publisher of Queen Anne Press.

Review :
Ian Fleming writes with a kind of pushing, bloodcurdling elegance. His thrillers are models of fastidious murder Fleming is splendid; he stops at nothing Entertaining and revealing Constantly entertaining … still so much here to amuse and inform … But it is Fleming’s replies to his picky readers that supply the most fun … The most sobering and self-effacing appraisal of Fleming’s achievements emerges from his correspondence with Raymond Chandler, to which Fergus Fleming devotes a brilliant chapter It has great appeal … These friendly, knockabout letters are a treat, although the steely eyed attention of the editors makes it difficult to go back to the Bond books with a straight face … Writing to fans and friends, Fleming is modest, quick-witted and able to stand at substantial ironic distance from the books he refers to as “opuscula” To anyone who has ever worked on a book — writing one, editing one, marketing one, publishing one — or, heck, even just read one, this volume is a giant stalk of catnip ... Irresistible ... Fergus Fleming, Ian’s nephew and an author in his own right, writes the introduction and serves as the collection’s Jeeves throughout, providing his services when droll and illuminating context is required but otherwise quietly stepping out of the way A revelation … The letters are full of good jokes … Interesting and entertaining If Bond was Fleming's carbon copy, then this book is the photographic negative of the novels ... Edited and elaborated upon by his nephew Fergus, this book collates those letters, painting a fascinating portrait of Bond's creator, revealing a man of keen wit and charm ... they progress in tandem with the Bond saga, offering insight into his bestselling series