Ian Fleming cover art

Ian Fleming

The Man Behind James Bond

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Ian Fleming

By: Andrew Lycett
Narrated by: Robert Whitfield
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About this listen

 Sportsman, womanizer, naval commander, world-traveler, spy, this suave Old Etonian creator of the Cold War's archetypal secret agent was infinitely more complicated and interesting than his major fictional character, Agent 007. Fleming's wide-ranging and exciting life inevitably provided the plausible backdrop for the Bond novels, and while his temperamental, sometimes violent nature got him into difficulties as a young man, the second World War was the making of him. Highly regarded in British naval intelligence for his international contacts, he master-minded numerous top secret operations, including "Golden Eye," which is uncovered here for the first time. His role in shaping prototype CIA is also fully detailed.Click here to see all the titles in our James Bond collection.©1995 Andrew Lycett (P)1997 Blackstone Audiobooks Art & Literature Authors Espionage

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All stars
Most relevant  
Robert Whitfield narration great and very detailed account of Fleming's life. Interesting man died prematurely.

Interesting book well read.

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I listened to this biography whilst laying on a beach on the north coast of Jamaica, not far from Goldeneye where Bond was created. Yes it describes a time gone by and a class system that for most of us seems alien. But what a life well lived and what a privilege to share it.

A life well lived...

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You don't have to like a person to find them fascinating. A person doesn't need to be likeable to be interesting. This is a very in depth recording of Fleming's life, "warts and all". It almost covers a day-by-day account of his life and is a great study of the upper-middle class and society of the period. I read this to contextualise the James Bond phenomenon having grown up with the films and have recently started reading the books. Overall it was interesting and fulfilled my brief.

Fascination if not admiration

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Thoroughly researched this is a must for any Bond enthusiast.
His entire life story is told 'warts and all' by a narrator with a suitably clipped English accent. Not being a James Bond fan myself I found this biography a bit lengthy and too indepth. On the other hand I was fascinated by Ian Fleming's life which was anything but normal.
Definitely worth a listen if you enjoy biographies.

Shaken and definitely stirred!

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Well read and fascinating details of the man’s life and what lead him to write Bond

Superb

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This would have made a readable if somewhat uncritical biography, unfortunately the production values of the recording let it down very badly. It sounds like it's been recorded at a dozen different studios, friends flats and kitchen tables. At one point the sound was so bad I had to pull over my car to adjust the tone on my iPod and stereo to make it bearable to listen to. I'm not such a fussy listener but this was truly bad

Reasonable Biography Spoiled by the Production

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