James Bond: The Authorised Biography - Tapa dura

It was a strong face, certainly - the eyes pale grey and very cold, the mouth was hard, the dark hair - grey-streaked now - still fell in the authentic comma over the forehead.'

This is how John Pearson reacted to his first encounter with the real James Bond, an encounter probably unique in the annals of thriller writing. He went on to write the bestselling authorised biography of Ian Fleming. At the time, like most of the world he assumed that James Bond was nothing more than a character in Fleming's highly charged imagination. Then he began to have his doubts. Doubts which were reaching such a pitch that the British secret service were trying to warn him off the scent. Despite this, he finally became convinced that James Bond was not only real, but actually alive.

Thanks to a change in policy within the secret service he was invited to embark upon a companion volume to his life of Fleming. This resulting book must be one of the most extraordinary biographies of our times - the authorised life of a myth, the official biography of James Bond.

Here Pearson reveals amazing adventures, situations and incidents only hinted at in Ian Fleming's books; the story of Bond's life, the Bonds of Glencoe; the night he lost his wallet and his virginity in Paris - and found his first love; his first assignment - to save the bank at Monte Carlo; his duel with the S.S.; his women, scandals and tastes - all here revealed. This promises to show a side of Bond never seen before.

James Bond - fact or fiction? Myth or reality?

This book is surely one of the most extraordinary biographies of our times - the authorized life story of a myth, the official biography of James Bond.

James Bond has graced our bookshelves and screens for over fifty years. The martini-drinking, cigar-smoking, super smooth character has become an icon and national treasure. Like most of the many million James Bond fans around the world, John Pearson assumed that the world's most famous spy was no more than a figment of Fleming's highly charged imagination. Then he began to have his doubts - doubts which soon were reaching such a pitch that the British secret service tried to warn him off the scent. Despite this, he finally became convinced that James Bond was not only real but alive and well in Bermuda.

With candour and recall, Bond began to recount the story of his life to Pearson: from his upbringing to the night he lost his wallet and virginity - and found his first love - in Paris; his first assignment saving a bank in Monte Carlo to his duel with the Secret Service; his women, cars and scandals. Bond reveals the most amazing series of adventures only hinted at in Ian Fleming's novels. This revealing biography promises to show a side of Bond never seen before.