Upcoming itinerary:

1. New York – October 08 – Bonhams
2. Los Angeles – November 08 – Bonhams
3. Hong Kong – December 08 – Flemings
4. Shanghai – January 09 (TBC)
5. Tokyo – February 09 (TBC)
6. Dubai – April 09 (TBC)
7. Paris – May 09 – Bonhams
8. Geneva – June 09
9. Amsterdam – July 09 – Bonhams

For the press release and details, see CommanderBond.net

After serving in Naval Intelligence during the Second World War, Fleming bought an estate in Jamaica called Goldeneye where in May 1952 he sat down to write the opening to what he told everyone would be the spy story to end all spy stories. He wrote, “The scent and smoke and sweat of a casino combine together and hit the taste-buds with an acid shock at three in the morning. Then the soul-erosion produced by high gambling – a compost of greed and fear and nervous tension – becomes unbearable and the senses awake and revolt at the smell of it all”. It later became

“The scent and smoke and sweat of a casino are nauseating at three in the morning. Then the soul-erosion produced by high gambling – a compost of greed and fear and nervous tension – becomes unbearable and the senses awake and revolt from it.”

The rest is, as they say, history. James Bond was created and published in the first explosive novel, Casino Royale, on April 13, 1953. The book was followed by eleven novels as well as two anthologies housing nine short stories. Fleming also wrote the children’s story, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and two published non-fiction books (The Diamond Smugglers -1957 and Thrilling Cities – 1963) before his death on August 12, 1964 at the age of fifty-six.

In this context the success of Sebastian Faulks’s Devil May Care is crucial. If it does well (and the centenary provides an extraordinary marketing opportunity), there will be scope for further Bond novels and the other spinoffs will benefit. Even the film moguls realise this is a good thing as they seek to perpetuate their own remarkable franchise.

It would appear if that’s true, then Sebastian Faulks is out for doing another. The other day he said it wasn’t likely he would return while today he was quoted at the UK Devil May Care launch as saying “one tribute, one centenary, one book.” You can read more on that here.

• “Licence to Emulate” – a look into a growing trend of authors emulating others to continue franchises. Although the topic stems from Sebastian Faulks’ latest work, it also goes into a lot of detail about the Tom Clancy brand.
• “Faulks Quest to Follow Fleming” – Faulks again talks about what drew him to following in Fleming’s footsteps and how one goes about doing it. Additional Video
• “New Bond Novel Launched In Style” – Details on the launch of Devil May Care. Video – Devil May Care arrives at HMS Exeter.

At some point, I believe they’ll add it to their website. Check here for when that happens. Maybe while everyone enjoys this, I’ll go back and listen to the BBC dramatization of You Only Live Twice with Michael Jayston as 007. I always thought I should post that here for everyone to hear, but I’m not sure it’s legally smart. I’ll look into this.

On Monday 26 May Radio 4 will air a 30-minute segment called “James Bond, the Last Englishman”. This will be hosted by professor David Cannadine who will argue Fleming’s novels are a great response to when Britain was struggling to find a role in the world having just lost an Empire. That airs at 8pm.

Learn more and see pictures of it being made at the Young Bond Dossier.

These new hardcovers designed by Michael Gillette will be available on May 29th, just one day after Ian Fleming’s 100th birthday and the arrival of Sebastian Faulk’s Devil May Care among other Centenary events and releases.

Additionally, everyone’s favorite secret agent will be getting ink from the Los Angeles Times, Wall Street Journal, and the Chicago Sun-Times, as well as feature coverage on NPR’s “Morning Edition.”

Getting ink? Hmm. We’ll look forward to seeing what that is and what they have to say.

For more information, see CBn’s story.