Apr 27thAn interesting new take on Bond, James Bond

I just finished reading The Ian Fleming Files: Operation Armada, and The Ian Fleming Files: Operation Parsifal by Damian Stevenson.  Stevenson’s work answers a question I’ve often asked myself.  How does one create a better thriller character than James Bond?  I think the short answer is that one can not.  However, Stevenson has found an interesting loophole.  He created a series of novels that are part origin-story for Bond, and half historic fictionalization of Fleming’s intelligence career.  Essentially, these are Bond books, but with Ian Fleming as the main character.  The books have femme fatals, Walther PPKs, eccentric villains, booze, exotic travel, and plenty of thrills.  To keep this post short, I’ll summarize thusly:  If you haven’t read the original Bond books, start there.  If you have and are looking for more Bond summer reading, check out Stevenson’s take.