Ian Fleming wrote some amazing stories about James Bond, and the best of them are collected here. Some of them concern Bond directly, others concern characters around Bond. They're very well written, though there are moments when Fleming's misogynist sadomasochistic streak shines through from time to time. ( )

Good stories that differ from the novels, & sometimes just have Bond as an observer, more than the protagonist. ( )

I'm not a big James Bond film fan but had never read a Bond novel and figured this volume looked like a good introduction. The stories are quick and easy to enjoy and turned me into far more of a fan of Bond than I expected. Particularly when I'd seen films with the titles of the short stories, and found them to bear no connection to one another.

Unlike the films, the characters in the 9 short stories in this volume are much more accessible. No over-the-top villains and when Bond gets into peril, there's no conceit of using a miracle device by Q to get him out of it. There was much more Le Carre-like tradecraft and monotony in the stories which, for me, was more believable. Don't worry, though, if the films are favorites: Bond still usually gets the girl. ( )

Excellent stories, good variety, strong writing ( )

I loved reading this again, and it was an eyeopener to go back to reading a Bond book (as opposed to watching a film) as I didnt remember (or realise maybe at the time I read all the Bond books) that Fleming not only strung a great story, but was also good at bringing the scenes to life with vivid descriptions. ( )