Originally intended to be a somewhat bland character who found himself in exciting situations, James Bond instead became the incomparable 007—the smooth-talking international spy and ladies’ man extraordinaire. James Bond follows the character’s evolution on the page and on the big screen and looks at the key players, memorable moments, and societal influences of the ongoing espionage saga.

Inside James Bond:

The origin and development of the Bond character

The Bond books and short stories written by Ian Fleming and the authorized works produced by additional authors

The twenty-three Bond movies and their box-office performance

Major characters and other recurring roles and the actors who’ve portrayed them

The unforgettable Bond girls and the actresses behind them

Music, fashion, and other influential factors

James Bond trivia and statistics