Ian Fleming’s Inspiration: The Truth Behind the Books

Written by Edward Abel Smith
Review by Chris James

As it says on the cover, this book covers the real-life stories from Ian Fleming’s life, from WW2 to living in Jamaica, that inspired the James Bond books. It is organised by Bond novel and nicely weaves in a few yarns that, sometimes tangentially, relate to each one. Thus, it half reads as a biography of Ian Fleming but without the boring bits. And indeed, he lived a short yet fascinating life, managing commandos in WW2 while working with SOE and later mixing with celebrities such as Noel Coward in Jamaica where his house, Goldeneye, was built.

Like his fictional creation, Fleming was a drinker and a womanizer: a sexist, misogynistic dinosaur, as Judi Dench’s M calls Bond in the film Goldeneye. Unlike James, Fleming was no licensed-to-kill assassin. One gets the impression that Bond is Fleming’s ideal version of himself and perhaps his older brother. So, a fascinating if unlikable character and a very insightful read. Highly recommended to all Bond fans and those interested in WW2.