The James Bond Archives Hardcover – Download: Adobe Reader, November 30, 2012

The first thing you notice about this book, is the shear size of it...I read the specs on size and weight online, but when you see it for real it boggles your mind. In one way, it's immense size is kind of cool. But in reality, it provides some issues when trying to store it, and read it.But the content of the book, seems to be fairly on the money. It's sort of like a big documentary in print form, with the writing mostly consisting of quotes from the cast and crew involved in the Bond films. I've noticed a lot of it is from interviews used in the Patrick Macnee narrated 'Inside Bond' documentaries, that can be found on the DVDs/Blu Rays.My favourite thing about the book would probably be the photos. I love the big one page photos that are common throughout the book. There is no shortage of unseen photos, and documents, notes etc.The structure of the book is divided in to chapters on each film (including one each for the unofficial films). The first chapter is about Ian Fleming, and mostly consists of an interview with him by Playboy magazine.Another little thing I found exciting, was the strip of Dr No film in the front of the book. A piece of one of the original prints of the film, so I imagine it would be fairly old, I'd like to know the exact details of it.So overall, it's a bit like the latest Bond film 'Skyfall' this book. If you're a Bond fan, you should definitely buy it, and you'll enjoy it. But it just wasn't quite as magical as I thought it would be. But still great though.

This book is amazing! It arrived in a rather plain cardboard "suitcase-style" slipcase with a plastic handle, but WOW the book itself is beautiful! I actually weighed it as soon as it came out of the shipping box because it was so heavy. It is huge - 12" x 16.5" x 2"!There is no paper jacket, but because of the size and heft of this tome, it would probably be difficult to keep one on undamaged. The book's cover lookes like red pebble-grained snakeskin or lizard and the inside front and back cover pages are copies of a shooting schedule from "From Russia With Love". The pages are high-quality glossy paper and there seems to be something on just about every page, that's why I count 600 as opposed to the 592 stated. One page has a little plastic pocket containing a filmstrip of 12 original frames from a Dr. No. original 35mm print.I am glad to see that all of the movies from Dr. No to Skyfall are included as well as Never Say Never Again. Other reviewers have complained that much of the book is taken from DVD special features. Well, I like having a choice to either watch the features or read them. Many photos are included that have not been released elsewhere.I haven't looked much beyond the first few pages because this is the kind of book I love to consume a small serving at a time - to savor like a fine Port. For anyone who is a Bondophille, your Bond collection is not complete without The James Bond Archives.

I own the book, bought one for my business partner and another for a young colleague. It's a wonderful compilation of all the James Bondf films from the beginning with Sean Connery up through to Daniel Craig.It shows the special art work that was done to make each movie uniquely exciting.

You must truly see this book to appreciate it. It is massive. It is an exceptionally quality publication and profusely illustrated with an over abundance of commentary of many of the Bond crew throughout the series. It is incredible. Some of the photos, the comments and the graphics are so endearing, especially for the earlier Bond films. This is the one book that BOND fans who have been with the series for many years (at least like I have, and there are many of you) MUST have.I really like the coverage of ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE. I was once told by author John Griswold (Ian Fleming's James Bond: Annotations and Chronologies for Ian Fleming's Bond Stories) that Cubby Broccoli had been so disillusioned with many of the Bond fans who had been petitioning to get George Lazenby back, that he instructed Pinewood to empty the vaults of all non-essential documents and media pertaining to ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE. It remains one of the most talked about Bonds of the series. You get the sense that the author definitely sees Sean Connery and Roger Moore as the two actors who defined the James Bond series and this is somewhat a homage to their efforts. Don't let this book get by you. It truly is a required Bond book.

Bought this because I had first bought the Blu-Ray set of James Bond movies in a "deal of the day" from Amazon, and saw this for a good price a little while later. If you like James Bond, this is a must have book. It is huge, quite heavy (not an easy book to read in bed) and chock full of pictures and fun facts. We had a large gathering at Thanksgiving and several people had picked up the book and went through it page by page (sad to say more than I have even to this date) talking about the movies and stuff, so that made me feel good, as they have never picked up a book of mine (and I have some 3000 plus in the library) on any subject before. I was very happy to share it for the day. I don't know if it will become a collectable or not, only time will tell, but I don't buy things for that reason, still, I would get it while you can. It is well worth it.

Quite simply, this is the best James Bond book available - nothing really comes close to the quality and detail of this gigantic book. With 592 pages, measuring 393.7 x 495.3 x 93.98mm and weighing almost 7.4kg, this is a book that could hardly have been any bigger. It comes packaged in a gold/light brown cardboard carrying case - the main function of this is probably to protect the book on delivery or in storage. The mottled red cover and indented titles on the front cover add a real touch of quality to it.It starts with an interesting preface by Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli - the custodians of the Bond franchise - welcoming you to the world of Bond. There is a striking photo of Sean Connery, Ian Fleming, Cubby Broccoli and Harry Saltzman - really the four men who made Bond happen.Next is an extensive "Playboy" interview with Bond's literary creator Ian Fleming. He says "There is only one recipe for a best seller. You have to get the reader to turn over the page". And, he described Bond as "A blunt instrument wielded by a government department. Hard, ruthless, sardonic, fatalistic. He likes gambling, golf, fast motor cars".From this point, the book chronologically goes through every Bond movie from "Dr No" to "Skyfall". The photographs are incredible throughout - a mixture of full page black and white and colour images from the movies, and smaller pictures surrounded by text. Some of the best photos include Sean Connery in the casino with the first Bond woman Sylvia Trench in "Dr No", Sean Connery being temporarily outwitted by Captain Nash on the train in "From Russia With Love", landscape shots of Piz Glora from "On Her Majesty's Secret Service", and Roger Moore meeting Major Anya Amasova for the first time at the Pyramids in "The Spy Who Loved Me".As well as photographs, there are many diagrams, art designs of scenes and costumes, plans for stunts, posters and images of the cameras and crew at work. Once you have read through one of the movie sections, you almost feel like you have watched the movie itself - such is the detail.The accompanying text is a very well edited mixture of contributions from various sources, including Cubby Broccoli, Harry Saltzman, Michael G Wilson, Barbara Broccoli as well as many actors, directors and producers from the movies. This gives it a fast-paced feel - almost like over-hearing experts having a conversation about the making of the movies. They give unique insights into the movie-making process, revealing what their strategies and objectives were, and stating what worked well and what was ultimately disappointing.For example, the Bond series needed shifts in emphasis after Sean Connery left after "You Only Live Twice". By bringing in an unknown George Lazenby everyone thought they would definitely succeed, but "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" was not the hit they had hoped for. And after Roger Moore's first two Bonds were not total successes, the team decided to throw everything at "The Spy Who Loved Me" and "Moonraker" to go bigger and better than ever before. The gamble paid off. Also, when they cast Timothy Dalton and Daniel Craig, the strategy was to get Bond back to basics and closer to Ian Fleming's original literary creation.Not only are all the "official" movies up to "Skyfall" covered, but two "unofficial" ones are included. The 1967 version of "Casino Royale" to many people is a farce and a disgrace, and although you can applaud the thoroughness of the authors to include it, the truth is that it may have been better to leave it out. It is so loosely based on the "real" Bond character, that it seems out of place in a serious Bond book. However, the inclusion of the 1983 "Never Say Never Again" is probably justified, as although it was made outside the official franchise, it is a serious effort at a Bond movie, and after all - it has Sean Connery in it!This edition was published in 2012 to coincide with the 50th Anniversary of Bond and goes up to "Skyfall". There is another version of the book that came out in 2015 to include "Spectre". The contents of both books are identical, although the newer book obviously includes "Spectre". The difference is that the new version is smaller at 245 x 327 x 48mm and weighing only 3.9kg. Both books are fantastic, and the newer book is much cheaper. However, the larger 2012 edition is so amazing, if you can afford it - buy it!

This is THE book for the serious Bond fan. The price alone will deter those who are not true believers but the content, the layout and the sheer size of the book (you will need two hands to lift it!!) makes it the must have book for Bond fans everywhere. Loaded to bursting point with photographs dating back to the early days of Ian Fleming and the development of the Bond books before Dr. No and taking us up to date with the appearance of Daniel Craig, this is a goldmine of material that even I - as a Bond aficionado from the days when anyone below the age of 18 could not get into a cinema and watch them unaccompanied by an adult (they were considered that risque! - found a wealth of information and pictures I had never seen before.

I have most books that you can buy about James Bond, and this is simply the best to date. The sumptuous quality of the paper and the landscape format make it a joy to hold - although at 6kg you won't be holding it for long. The text is a mixture of interviews with those involved in each film - working chronologically through the films from Dr No onwards. It's fantastic.

A bit of a gamble as a Christmas present for a complete Bond nut (he watches TV documentaries on Bond and gets to the facts before they do), but I needn't have worried. It's sumptuously produced, well written, packed with photographs and little human anecdotes. He read the whole thing, cover to cover, pulling out the best titbits to share with me. One very happy and peaceful Christmas .

Absolutely superb! A sheer delight to behold. I agree with most that it's easier to read at a dinning table - it's a mighty tome! I haven't had a chance to read it through yet but the quality of book is astounding - and as I work in the print industry thats high praise. Wonderful pictures and informative text (what I've read so far). An absolute must for any true Bond fan