Goldeneye

Reviews

“Parker tells the exciting story of how the Bond novels were produced—and how strongly Jamaica influenced Fleming’s direction in life…The depiction of Fleming’s own life of luxury in Jamaica, meanwhile, is mesmerizing. The book is as charming as Bond himself, leaving us a greater understanding of the world’s most famous spy, his creator, and the house in which he was conceived.”

“Fans of James Bond books and films, along with those intrigued by the man behind the spy will devour the captivating stories within these pages. Readers interested in Jamaica’s relationship with Britain and America as the country moved toward independence will also appreciate the historical, cultural, and political realities and their context within Fleming’s work.”

“A well-written look at Fleming’s life, though the book is even better as an indictment of the anachronistic colonialism of the 1950s and the end of the British Empire.”

“The book that James Bond obsessives have been waiting for—a beautiful, brilliant history of Ian Fleming at home at Goldeneye, all of sun-drenched, gin-soaked, bed-hopping colonial Jamaica outside the window and 007 at the moment of his creation. This is the big bang of Bond books—the world-weary romance, the impossible glamour, the sex, the travel, the legend, the longing for escape and adventure—it all starts right here.”

“An engrossing and supremely enjoyable biography of both Ian and his favorite island…Create[s] a completely new picture of Ian, Bond, and the role of Jamaica in the making of the legend.”

“Highly readable.”

“Fascinating…a sad story…skillfully turned.”

“Parker draws a richly detailed portrait of Fleming and of the island that inspired the James Bond novels. The picturesque villa and the struggling young nation offered lush settings for the lucrative Bond film franchise. Parker’s entertaining and well-researched biography dishes up a rich stew for fans of popular literature, travel writing, British and West Indian history, and filmmaking, all sauced with plenty of titillating celebrity gossip.”

“An epic tale of human folly and endeavor, beautifully told and researched.”

“Completely fascinating, authoritative, and intriguing.”

“An engaging journey to a mercifully vanished world.”

“Best read sitting somewhere hot, sipping something cool, is Matthew Parker’s brilliant addition to the cannon of Jamaican travel writing and 007-ology.”

“An exemplary history, vigorously told.”

“A tumultuous roller coaster of a book. A tale of wealth, bravery, and debauchery.”

“Without Jamaica, it is safe to say, there would have been no Agent 007. Matthew Parker sets the record straight in Goldeneye, his superb account of Fleming’s Jamaica…Well researched, excellently written.”

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