The Many Lives of James Bond
How the Creators of 007 Have Decoded the Superspy
By (author) Mark Edlitz
Publication date:
04 January 2020Length of book:
312 pagesPublisher
Lyons PressISBN-13: 9781493041565
Lots of people love James Bond. But how many have actually been Bond? The Many Lives of James Bond offers the largest ever collection of original interviews with actors who have played Bond in different media, as well as in-depth interviews with many of the diverse artists who have contributed their talents to the making of James Bond movies, television shows, novels, radio dramas, comic books, and video games. These wide-ranging interviews provide a behind-the-scenes look at the artists’ goals, the challenges they faced, and how they met them This book is also the first to examine the Bond character through eyes of the artists who interpret him. As the author talked with these creative people, a through line emerged. It involves a series of related fundamental questions about Bond that artists must reckon with when interpreting Bond. Who is James Bond and what, if anything, beyond successfully completing a mission does he really want? What drives him? Why did he become an agent? What is the nature of his inner-life? Would he be capable of a satisfying life away from high-octane adventure and danger? These questions challenge and inspire the creators to pull back the curtain on a deliberately opaque figure in an attempt to explore and analyze Bond’s interior life and thought processes, and how the Bond actors have interpreted the role.
"Mark Edlitz has provided an insightful book that goes off the well-worn path in terms of interviews and provides perspectives from people associated with the films, novels, comic books, and video games. Even if your Bond library is extensive, you'll want to add this informative and highly entertaining work to your collection."
-- Lee Pfeiffer, co-author of The Incredible World of 007
“Just when you thought that there was no more information to be printed about James Bond, Mark Edlitz comes along. And the material here isn’t just broken fragments of rock with a faint glitter of fool’s gold, either; it’s the real 24-carat stuff. Edlitz has interviewed a wide variety of people connected with portraying Bond, from writers through actors to game designers and even poster artists, and each one has an attaché case-full of fascinating stories about their approach to the task. Bond has been accused of being a two-dimensional character, but if this book demonstrates anything, it demonstrates that Bond is multi-dimensional. Someone (I’m not sure who) once observed that every man wants to be Bond, but no man would want to have dinner with him. Based on this book, I’m guessing that Mark Edlitz must be a fascinating man with whom to share a dinner table…”
--- Andrew Lane, co-author of The Bond Files
"If you think you know all there is to know about 007, think again - Mark Edlitz has compiled a remarkable treasure-trove of 007 interviews, with insights not only from actors, filmmakers, and authors but also from the creators of James Bond music, comic books, and video games. There is much information here that has never before been revealed, making this a must-have for both casual and hard-core James Bond fans. Pour a martini and dive into the many amazing worlds of 007!"
--Bruce Scivally, co-author of James Bond: The Legacy
-- Lee Pfeiffer, co-author of The Incredible World of 007
“Just when you thought that there was no more information to be printed about James Bond, Mark Edlitz comes along. And the material here isn’t just broken fragments of rock with a faint glitter of fool’s gold, either; it’s the real 24-carat stuff. Edlitz has interviewed a wide variety of people connected with portraying Bond, from writers through actors to game designers and even poster artists, and each one has an attaché case-full of fascinating stories about their approach to the task. Bond has been accused of being a two-dimensional character, but if this book demonstrates anything, it demonstrates that Bond is multi-dimensional. Someone (I’m not sure who) once observed that every man wants to be Bond, but no man would want to have dinner with him. Based on this book, I’m guessing that Mark Edlitz must be a fascinating man with whom to share a dinner table…”
--- Andrew Lane, co-author of The Bond Files
"If you think you know all there is to know about 007, think again - Mark Edlitz has compiled a remarkable treasure-trove of 007 interviews, with insights not only from actors, filmmakers, and authors but also from the creators of James Bond music, comic books, and video games. There is much information here that has never before been revealed, making this a must-have for both casual and hard-core James Bond fans. Pour a martini and dive into the many amazing worlds of 007!"
--Bruce Scivally, co-author of James Bond: The Legacy