The Real James Bond: A True Story of Identity Theft, Avian Intrigue, and Ian Fleming

(Hardback)

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Whatever happened to him actually outshines anything I've had my James Bond do. - Ian Fleming When the real James Bond published his 1936 landmark book, Birds of the West Indies, he had no idea that the 007 creator would steal his name, linking him to the most iconic spy in the Western world. But Bond lived a parallel life of intrigue, and this is the first book to tell his story through the lens of history. Filled with more than 30 archival photos, many never before published, here is the real story of the pipe-smoking, armed and ruthless ornithologist who introduced the world to the exotic birds of the West Indies. AUTHOR: Jim Wright (Allendale, New Jersey) is a prize-winning writer, blogger, and birding columnist for The (Bergen) Record in northern New Jersey. His books include The Nature of the Meadowlands, Jungle of the Maya, and Hawk Mountain. SELLING POINTS: . First book to research the intriguing backstory of the real James Bond, a Philadelphia ornithologist . An adventure story for armchair travellers, fans of 007, and birdwatchers . Discover how naturalists named new species after Bond, leveraging his fame to build awareness 108 colour and b/w images

Reviews

"In the slim and elegant biography The Real James Bond, Jim Wright spills the secrets of Jim Bond (1900-89)"The Wall Street Journal
Wonderfully researched, full of surprises, and written with zip and panache. Matthew Gill, author ofGoldeneye:Where Bond Was Born: Ian Fleming's Jamaica
"Part biography, part adventure story, and part literary investigation that reveals the incredible true connection between Bond and Fleming for the very first time. Packed with never-before-seen photos, insightful analysis, and original interviews with Bonds colleagues, this important addition to Bond scholarship belongs on the shelf of every serious 007 fan." Matthew Chernov, "James Bond Radio"
A refreshingly authentic and engagingly written look at the little known ornithologist behind the iconic name. Ian Fleming could not have written better. Pete Dunne, retired director of the Cape May Bird Observatory and author ofBirds of Prey:Hawks, Eagles, Falcons, and Vultures of North America
"IfThe Real James Bonddoes nothing more than convince readers that an ornithologist can be something other than proper, stodgy, or dull, it will have done a great service. This fast-paced, fun book puts the lie to the Miss Jane Hathaway stereotype, painting a portrait of a man who more than lived up to his role as reluctant namesake to the world's favorite secret agent. As an ornithologist, I feel much cooler now."Julie Zickefoose, author ofThe Bluebird Effect

Author Bio

Jim Wright (Allendale, New Jersey) is a prize-winning writer, blogger, and birding columnist for The [Bergen] Record in northern New Jersey. His books include The Nature of the Meadowlands, Jungle of the Maya, and Hawk Mountain. Follow his adventures on Twitter @1realjamesbond, and read his blog at realjamesbond.net.