Thunderball (James Bond Series #9) »

During World War II Ian Fleming served as Assistant to the Director of Naval Intelligence, rising to the rank of Commander. His wartime experiences provided him with knowledge of secret operations. After the war, he built his house, Goldeneye, in Jamaica. There, at the age of 42, he wrote Casino Royale, the first of the James Bond novels. By the time of his death in 1964, Fleming's 14 Bond adventures had sold more than 40 million copies and the cult of James Bond was internationally established.

James Bond is in disgrace. His medical report is critical of the high living that is ruining his health, and M packs him off to a health farm to be tuned up to his former pitch of exceptional fitness.

Bond expects a trying two weeks. The last thing he expects is an adversary more deadly, more ruthless even than SMERSH.

Library Journal

Dating from 1960, 1954, and 1961, these James Bond novels feature all the standard trappings for the series: master criminals, beautiful damsels in distress, and plenty of action-essentially everything fans have come to associate with 007. Though a bit dated, the Bond outings are still fun reads-great beach books-and the character is still immensely popular on screen, so these are well worth having. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.