This book feels like it was made for a movie. Utilizing documentation and records recently made available, the book covers two mostly independent BritThis book feels like it was made for a movie. Utilizing documentation and records recently made available, the book covers two mostly independent British spy networks: one in St. Petersburg and Moscow and the other at nearly the opposite corner of the USSR at Tashkent. Lots of low technology, cleverly used (you’ll never guess how they made invisible ink) as the Bolsheviks take and solidify their grip on power in the Soviet Union.
The author makes this book easily accessible and I found it a fast and thrilling read as these spies try to stay one step ahead of the Cheka and other agencies. Highly recommended!...more
This book is split up into three parts. The first part was exceptionally well done and I see why the book will become a movie. The second part starts This book is split up into three parts. The first part was exceptionally well done and I see why the book will become a movie. The second part starts to fall apart and meander. The third part tries to tie up loose ends and does a serviceable job doing so. This book had a lot of potential but I think could have done a lot better after the first section. Hence three stars....more
Fleming’s Bond series ends with a short story collection. I appreciate the short stories since most of the time, they help make a lot of the main charFleming’s Bond series ends with a short story collection. I appreciate the short stories since most of the time, they help make a lot of the main characters well rounded. These stories are no different: they provide some fun insights but I can’t say these are particularly thrilling reads. Hence the three stars.
It’s a bittersweet end to the Fleming Bond series, which had its highs and lows. I enjoyed reading the series, from the epic adventures to a recipe of how Bond likes his scrambled eggs. I hope to do it again a few years from now....more
The final novel of the Fleming Bond series, there were a lot of interesting ideas that were executed unevenly. This is most likely due to Fleming’s paThe final novel of the Fleming Bond series, there were a lot of interesting ideas that were executed unevenly. This is most likely due to Fleming’s passing where it is also likely the case that the book was completed by others. It feels like had Fleming been around for another couple of months, it could have been a great four or even five star book. But here we are....more
Not nearly as epic in scope as Thunderball and On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, You Only Live Twice is a decent story that has some flaws to it that kNot nearly as epic in scope as Thunderball and On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, You Only Live Twice is a decent story that has some flaws to it that keep it from the upper tier of Bond novels. The focus of Japanese culture and the place Japan has in the world after World War II is interesting as it gets portrayed in several perspectives that are very much a product of its time....more
I generally give Fleming credit for trying to mix things up to prevent the 007 formula from getting stale but unfortunately this attempt just did not I generally give Fleming credit for trying to mix things up to prevent the 007 formula from getting stale but unfortunately this attempt just did not work. I was especially disappointed after reading Thunderball, which I thought was the best book in the series. At least this book was pretty short so it wasn’t too painful. This is the second instance where I thought the movie was better than the book (the other being Casino Royale) and the only thing in common is the name. I don’t recommend bothering with this unless you want to read Fleming’s Bond series in full....more
Thunderball is my favorite Bond movie so I was curious how the book compared. I’ve generally found the books to be more interesting than the movies anThunderball is my favorite Bond movie so I was curious how the book compared. I’ve generally found the books to be more interesting than the movies and this was a close call. The first part of the book spent a great detail explaining the new cast of characters as this is the first book that had Blofeld and SPECTRE as the antagonists. Details that probably would bore people at a movie so I understand why short amount of attention was given to that. There were a couple of parts that weren’t in the movie and vice versa. I think they balance out - you will have to see and read for yourself what those balances are.
It’s in my opinion the best Bond book yet and this is ninth of a series of 14 books written by Fleming. I’ve been reading these books in order starting this summer and have been impressed by how well they’ve evolved from a very rough few entries to now undeniably hitting a stride of compelling stories that are well written. I look forward to the next book, The Spy Who Loved Me....more
A compilation of short stories, this serves as a bit of a palate cleanser after I thought Goldfinger was a bit of a step backwards compared to From RuA compilation of short stories, this serves as a bit of a palate cleanser after I thought Goldfinger was a bit of a step backwards compared to From Russia With Love and Doctor No. These short stories are pretty creative and get to explore Bond’s character and less than epic missions....more
After hitting a stride with From Russia With Love and Doctor No, Goldfinger feels like a step backwards. I went through From Russia With Love and DoctAfter hitting a stride with From Russia With Love and Doctor No, Goldfinger feels like a step backwards. I went through From Russia With Love and Doctor No fast because the story and writing was really compelling. With Goldfinger, the plot wasn’t as interesting and some parts were a slog to get through....more
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