Historical Dictionary of Ian Fleming's World of Intelligence: Fact and Fiction (2009)

Twelve novels and nine short stories define one of the most extraordinary fictional characters of all time, creating the basis for a highly successful movie series watched by more than half the world's population. Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond, lived a remarkable double life of spy and writer. Everyone has an opinion as to why 007 became so successful, but one possible explanation is the ingenious incorporation of fact, fiction, and sheer fantasy. Certainly Fleming drew on friends and places he knew well to provide the backdrop for his drama, but what proportion of his output was authentic, and what came directly from his fertile imagination?

These questions and more are examined in the Historical Dictionary of Ian Fleming's World of Intelligence, through a chronology, an introduction, a bibliography, and hundreds of cross-referenced dictionary entries. It examines actual cases of espionage; real-life spies; MI5, SIS, CIA, KGB, and other organizations; Ian Fleming's novels and short stories; family and friends; employers and colleagues; and notable characters from the world of 007.