Fergus Fleming – författare

''Constantly entertaining ... So much here to amuse and inform'' Observer''These friendly, knockabout letters are a treat'' Sunday Telegraph''Irresistible'' New York Times________________________Before the world-famous Bond films came the world-famous novels. This book tells the story of the man who wrote them and how he created spy fiction''s most compelling hero.In August 1952, Ian Fleming bought a gold-plated typewriter as a present to himself for finishing his first novel, Casino Royale. It marked in glamorous style the arrival of James Bond, agent 007, and the start of a career that saw Fleming become one of the world''s most celebrated thriller writers. Before his death in 1964 he produced fourteen bestselling Bond books, two works of non-fiction and the famous children''s story Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang. Fleming''s output was matched by an equally energetic flow of letters. He wrote constantly, to his wife, publisher, editors, fans, critics and friends, including Raymond Chandler, Noël Coward and Somerset Maugham. His letters - witty and charming, funny and revealing - chart 007''s progress: from badgering his publisher about his quota of free copies to apologising to readers for having mistaken a certain brand of perfume and for equipping Bond with the wrong kind of gun. Collected here together by his nephew, the letters provide a fascinating insight into the mind of the man who created a worldwide sensation.''Splendid'' New Statesman''A revelation'' Guardian''A fascinating portrait of Bond''s creator, revealing a man of keen wit and charm'' Gentleman''s Journal

'Constantly entertaining ... So much here to amuse and inform' Observer'These friendly, knockabout letters are a treat' Sunday Telegraph'Irresistible' New York Times________________________Before the world-famous Bond films came the world-famous novels. This book tells the story of the man who wrote them and how he created spy fiction's most compelling hero.In August 1952, Ian Fleming bought a gold-plated typewriter as a present to himself for finishing his first novel, Casino Royale. It marked in glamorous style the arrival of James Bond, agent 007, and the start of a career that saw Fleming become one of the world’s most celebrated thriller writers. Before his death in 1964 he produced fourteen bestselling Bond books, two works of non-fiction and the famous children’s story Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang. Fleming’s output was matched by an equally energetic flow of letters. He wrote constantly, to his wife, publisher, editors, fans, critics and friends, including Raymond Chandler, Noël Coward and Somerset Maugham. His letters - witty and charming, funny and revealing - chart 007’s progress: from badgering his publisher about his quota of free copies to apologising to readers for having mistaken a certain brand of perfume and for equipping Bond with the wrong kind of gun. Collected here together by his nephew, the letters provide a fascinating insight into the mind of the man who created a worldwide sensation.'Splendid' New Statesman'A revelation' Guardian'A fascinating portrait of Bond's creator, revealing a man of keen wit and charm' Gentleman's Journal

Nach dem Triumph bei Trafalgar hat sich in der Royal Navy Langeweile breit gemacht. Die Offiziere warten ungeduldig auf eine Chance zu neuen Heldentaten. John Barrow, in der Admiralität zuständig für die Flotteneinsätze, gibt sie ihnen. In der Morgendämmerung der Industrialisierung lässt er Heizrohre in seinen Schiffen installieren und schickt sie ins ewige Eis. Eine Expedition nach der anderen endet im Desaster: Barrows Boys erfrieren, ertrinken, sterben an Skorbut, Schwarz- oder Gelbfieber, werden von Eingeborenen ermordet oder essen sich vor Hunger gegenseitig auf.Doch allen Strapazen zum Trotz bleiben die exzentrischen Entdecker bar aller Selbstzweifel. Auf dem schmalen Grat zwischen heldenhaftem Wagemut und schierem Wahnsinn feiern die Entdecker im Packeis den Geburtstag ihres Königs, der schon vor Monaten gestorben ist. Andere durchqueren die Sahara in voller Uniform – und stimmen angesichts feindlicher Tuareg ein beherztes "Rule Britannia" an.Am Ende sind es nicht mehr neue Kontinente, sondern die verschollenen Männer aus vorangegangenen Expeditionen, die zu finden Barrows Leute sich aufmachen. Noch nie hat ein einzelner Beamter so viel Energie und Geld investiert – und absolut nichts erreicht. Sein Handeln ist nicht nur Exempel für die Selbstüberschätzung des Menschen angesichts der Unbezwingbarkeit der Natur, sondern auch eine unglaubliche Geschichte von absurden Reisen und haarsträubenden Abenteurern, die Fergus Fleming mit schwärzestem Humor erzählt.