Posted on Aug 12, 2018
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On this day in 1964, the British author and journalist Ian Fleming, creator of James Bond, the world’s most famous fictional spy, dies of a heart attack at age 56 in Kent, England. Fleming’s series of novels about the debonair Agent 007, based in part on their dashing author’s real-life experiences, spawned one of the most lucrative film franchises in history.
Ian Lancaster Fleming was born into a well-to-do family in London on May 29, 1908. As an adult, he worked as a foreign correspondent, a stockbroker and a personal assistant to Britain’s director of naval intelligence during World War II–experiences that would all provide fodder for his Bond novels.
The first Bond book, Casino Royale, was published in 1953. In all, Fleming wrote 12 novels and two short story collections about Agent 007, which together sold more than 18 million copies. According to The New York Times: “Bond himself, Fleming said, was ‘a compound of all the secret agents and commandos I met during the war,’ but his tastes– in blondes, martinis ‘shaken, not stirred,’ expensively tailored suits, scrambled eggs, short-sleeved shirts and Rolex watches–were Fleming’s own. But not all the comparisons were ones the author liked to encourage. Bond, he said, had ‘more guts than I have’ as well as being ‘more handsome.’”
The first Bond film, Dr. No, was released in 1962; it starred the Scottish actor Sean Connery in the title role. Connery played Bond in six films altogether; From Russia With Love (1963) and Goldfinger (1964) were the only ones made during Fleming’s lifetime. Since that time, five other actors–George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig–have played the superspy in some two dozen films from EON Productions.
Fleming, who did much of his writing at his Jamaican home, Goldeneye, also penned a children’s book, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and several works of non-fiction. Following Fleming’s death, a string of other authors were commissioned to write Bond novels.
Ian Lancaster Fleming was born into a well-to-do family in London on May 29, 1908. As an adult, he worked as a foreign correspondent, a stockbroker and a personal assistant to Britain’s director of naval intelligence during World War II–experiences that would all provide fodder for his Bond novels.
The first Bond book, Casino Royale, was published in 1953. In all, Fleming wrote 12 novels and two short story collections about Agent 007, which together sold more than 18 million copies. According to The New York Times: “Bond himself, Fleming said, was ‘a compound of all the secret agents and commandos I met during the war,’ but his tastes– in blondes, martinis ‘shaken, not stirred,’ expensively tailored suits, scrambled eggs, short-sleeved shirts and Rolex watches–were Fleming’s own. But not all the comparisons were ones the author liked to encourage. Bond, he said, had ‘more guts than I have’ as well as being ‘more handsome.’”
The first Bond film, Dr. No, was released in 1962; it starred the Scottish actor Sean Connery in the title role. Connery played Bond in six films altogether; From Russia With Love (1963) and Goldfinger (1964) were the only ones made during Fleming’s lifetime. Since that time, five other actors–George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig–have played the superspy in some two dozen films from EON Productions.
Fleming, who did much of his writing at his Jamaican home, Goldeneye, also penned a children’s book, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and several works of non-fiction. Following Fleming’s death, a string of other authors were commissioned to write Bond novels.
James Bond creator Ian Fleming dies - Aug 12, 1964 - HISTORY.com
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Thank you my friend TSgt Joe C. for making us aware that on August 12, 1964 British graduate of Sandhurst Royal Military College, Naval intelligence officer in WWII who was the creator of Operation Mincemeat, author and journalist Ian Fleming died of a heart attack at age 56 in Kent, England.
Background from sundaypost.com/fp/james-bond-creator-ian-flemings-life-was-more-exciting-and-eventful-than-007s/
"On April 13, James Bond becomes 65, while the following month sees the 110th anniversary of the birth of Ian Fleming, the man who created 007.
It was on April 13, 1953, that Casino Royale, Fleming’s first Bond book, was published, and it was on May 28, 1908, that Fleming was born in posh Mayfair.
Looking at Fleming’s life, you could be forgiven for thinking Bond’s action-packed existence was less exciting and eventful than his creator’s.
Following Casino Royale, Fleming would write a further 11 novels and two short-story collections, while other authors also wrote Bond-related tales.
Much of Fleming’s success was down to getting into a good habit and keeping in it.
Which meant his contract with a well-known newspaper publisher came in very handy.
He had it written into his deal that he could take three months’ holidays each winter, during which he left for his home, Goldeneye, on Jamaica.
It was here, overlooking a private beach and with a glamorous procession of stars coming and going that Fleming bashed out one book after another.
All, of course, would be turned into films, some more than once, and all would add to his considerable fame and wealth.
Fleming, though, was also a troubled man, dead by 56 after a life of over-indulgence in nicotine and alcohol, and with quite the reputation as a ladies’ man.
He also, of course, chipped in with the very un-Bondlike Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, published posthumously like two of his 007 novels.
His life, however, before taking up the typewriter was more about universities and wars.
Born to a Conservative MP father and wealthy socialite mother, Fleming had two little brothers and a half-sister.
At university, he often fell foul of the authorities for his lifestyle and womanising, wasn’t academically-gifted, but was good at athletics.
Removed from Eton and sent to Sandhurst’s famed Royal Military College, he ended up working with Naval Intelligence during the Second World War, which must have supplied much of his knowledge for the books to come.
With the Commandos, although he didn’t fight, Fleming did select targets and direct operations from the rear. Unlike the spy he would invent.
When he came to write that first book, Casino Royale, Fleming was unsure of its worth.
He sought reassurance from a novelist friend that it was worthy of publication, and was assured that it would do well.
Given pretty good reviews in the UK, it took longer to take off in the United States, but has since been adapted three times.
A 1954 episode of Climax, a CBS TV series, used the story, featuring an American Bond, while David Niven played “Sir” James Bond in the 1967 film version.
Daniel Craig played it straight as Bond in the most recent version, too, so not bad for a first attempt from a writer not at all sure of himself!
Live And Let Die, the follow-up published in April of ’54, had actually been completed before Casino Royale was even in the shops.
Based on Fleming’s intimate knowledge of London, America and Jamaica, it centred around Bond’s pursuit of Mr Big.
A horrid sort with links to Russian secret service SMERSH, voodoo and the USA, Mr Big has been smuggling old coins around the Caribbean, part of his bid to bring down the West.
It would become the eighth of the Eon Productions Bond movies, the first to star Roger Moore, and you’ll also find parts of it popping up in For Your Eyes Only and Licence To Kill.
And yet, while the book sold like hotcakes in Britain and required a second print run in its first year, the United States didn’t take to it at first.
It sold at a snail’s pace, a bit ironic when you think how well the movies would do. And you can’t blame Fleming’s writing. Named among the greatest English writers of his time, the books are even better than the movies for some!
A first edition of the Ian Fleming book Casino Royale
Moonraker, again appearing in the April after more feverish writing at Goldeneye, featured a former Nazi now building sinister rockets for the Soviets.
Fleming, unlike most others of his time, knew how to take the Cold War paranoia and turn it into gripping fiction, just believable enough to make you keep turning the pages.
Diamonds Are Forever was inspired by Fleming reading about Sierra Leone’s diamond smugglers.
He somehow managed to get a chat with former MI5 boss Sir Percy Sillitoe, now working for a large diamond company, and Fleming always enjoyed travelling and making new acquaintances, especially if it led to more info and background details for his writing.
The writer also loved a routine, as many do, describing his working methods by revealing: “I write for about three hours in the morning, and I do another hour’s work between six and seven in the evening.
“I never correct anything and I never go back to see what I have written. By following my formula, you write 2,000 words a day.”
From Russia, With Love came next, followed by Dr No.
The first of this pair, he felt, might be the final James Bond novel.
Fleming told friends that he felt he’d written every spy-related tale he could, but then he always seemed to come up with fresh ideas for another.
Ian Fleming also wrote Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
This one was largely inspired by a visit to Turkey and a return home on the Orient Express, while Dr No became quite a contradiction — the first Fleming Bond novel roundly panned by the British press, it became the first Bond movie!
Sean Connery, needless to say, wasn’t quite the Hoagy Carmichael lookalike Fleming had envisaged, but the Scot didn’t do too badly as 007.
Goldfinger, For Your Eyes Only and Thunderball would all add to the grand collection of Fleming books.
Fleming had been tickled pink to learn that President John F Kennedy listed From Russia, With Love among his favourite books.
He had also found the woman of his dreams, too — he had disappointed Ann Charteris by telling her he wanted a bachelor’s life, and she instead married Viscount Rothermere, but they later divorced because she continued to see Fleming.
Together, they had a son, Caspar, the boy for whom he’d pen Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
He might have been arrogant at times, and he was certainly self-destructive with his smoking and drinking, but Fleming was also a nice man.
Even when speaking to the ambulance drivers as they tried to save his life after another heart attack, he said: “I am sorry to trouble you, chaps. I don’t know how you get along so fast with the traffic on the roads these days.”
He died on August 12, 1964, and was buried in the churchyard at Sevenhampton, near Swindon."
Operation Mincemeat WWII deception prior to invading Italyby Ian Fleming Full
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBk3sSUB5X4&t=846s
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC (Join to see) Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Lt Col Charlie Brown Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. "Bill" Price Maj Marty Hogan SCPO Morris Ramsey SSG John Ross SGT Mark Halmrast Sgt Randy Wilber Sgt John H. SGT Gregory Lawritson CPL Dave Hoover SPC Margaret Higgins SSgt Brian Brakke 1stSgt Eugene Harless CPT Scott Sharon
Background from sundaypost.com/fp/james-bond-creator-ian-flemings-life-was-more-exciting-and-eventful-than-007s/
"On April 13, James Bond becomes 65, while the following month sees the 110th anniversary of the birth of Ian Fleming, the man who created 007.
It was on April 13, 1953, that Casino Royale, Fleming’s first Bond book, was published, and it was on May 28, 1908, that Fleming was born in posh Mayfair.
Looking at Fleming’s life, you could be forgiven for thinking Bond’s action-packed existence was less exciting and eventful than his creator’s.
Following Casino Royale, Fleming would write a further 11 novels and two short-story collections, while other authors also wrote Bond-related tales.
Much of Fleming’s success was down to getting into a good habit and keeping in it.
Which meant his contract with a well-known newspaper publisher came in very handy.
He had it written into his deal that he could take three months’ holidays each winter, during which he left for his home, Goldeneye, on Jamaica.
It was here, overlooking a private beach and with a glamorous procession of stars coming and going that Fleming bashed out one book after another.
All, of course, would be turned into films, some more than once, and all would add to his considerable fame and wealth.
Fleming, though, was also a troubled man, dead by 56 after a life of over-indulgence in nicotine and alcohol, and with quite the reputation as a ladies’ man.
He also, of course, chipped in with the very un-Bondlike Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, published posthumously like two of his 007 novels.
His life, however, before taking up the typewriter was more about universities and wars.
Born to a Conservative MP father and wealthy socialite mother, Fleming had two little brothers and a half-sister.
At university, he often fell foul of the authorities for his lifestyle and womanising, wasn’t academically-gifted, but was good at athletics.
Removed from Eton and sent to Sandhurst’s famed Royal Military College, he ended up working with Naval Intelligence during the Second World War, which must have supplied much of his knowledge for the books to come.
With the Commandos, although he didn’t fight, Fleming did select targets and direct operations from the rear. Unlike the spy he would invent.
When he came to write that first book, Casino Royale, Fleming was unsure of its worth.
He sought reassurance from a novelist friend that it was worthy of publication, and was assured that it would do well.
Given pretty good reviews in the UK, it took longer to take off in the United States, but has since been adapted three times.
A 1954 episode of Climax, a CBS TV series, used the story, featuring an American Bond, while David Niven played “Sir” James Bond in the 1967 film version.
Daniel Craig played it straight as Bond in the most recent version, too, so not bad for a first attempt from a writer not at all sure of himself!
Live And Let Die, the follow-up published in April of ’54, had actually been completed before Casino Royale was even in the shops.
Based on Fleming’s intimate knowledge of London, America and Jamaica, it centred around Bond’s pursuit of Mr Big.
A horrid sort with links to Russian secret service SMERSH, voodoo and the USA, Mr Big has been smuggling old coins around the Caribbean, part of his bid to bring down the West.
It would become the eighth of the Eon Productions Bond movies, the first to star Roger Moore, and you’ll also find parts of it popping up in For Your Eyes Only and Licence To Kill.
And yet, while the book sold like hotcakes in Britain and required a second print run in its first year, the United States didn’t take to it at first.
It sold at a snail’s pace, a bit ironic when you think how well the movies would do. And you can’t blame Fleming’s writing. Named among the greatest English writers of his time, the books are even better than the movies for some!
A first edition of the Ian Fleming book Casino Royale
Moonraker, again appearing in the April after more feverish writing at Goldeneye, featured a former Nazi now building sinister rockets for the Soviets.
Fleming, unlike most others of his time, knew how to take the Cold War paranoia and turn it into gripping fiction, just believable enough to make you keep turning the pages.
Diamonds Are Forever was inspired by Fleming reading about Sierra Leone’s diamond smugglers.
He somehow managed to get a chat with former MI5 boss Sir Percy Sillitoe, now working for a large diamond company, and Fleming always enjoyed travelling and making new acquaintances, especially if it led to more info and background details for his writing.
The writer also loved a routine, as many do, describing his working methods by revealing: “I write for about three hours in the morning, and I do another hour’s work between six and seven in the evening.
“I never correct anything and I never go back to see what I have written. By following my formula, you write 2,000 words a day.”
From Russia, With Love came next, followed by Dr No.
The first of this pair, he felt, might be the final James Bond novel.
Fleming told friends that he felt he’d written every spy-related tale he could, but then he always seemed to come up with fresh ideas for another.
Ian Fleming also wrote Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
This one was largely inspired by a visit to Turkey and a return home on the Orient Express, while Dr No became quite a contradiction — the first Fleming Bond novel roundly panned by the British press, it became the first Bond movie!
Sean Connery, needless to say, wasn’t quite the Hoagy Carmichael lookalike Fleming had envisaged, but the Scot didn’t do too badly as 007.
Goldfinger, For Your Eyes Only and Thunderball would all add to the grand collection of Fleming books.
Fleming had been tickled pink to learn that President John F Kennedy listed From Russia, With Love among his favourite books.
He had also found the woman of his dreams, too — he had disappointed Ann Charteris by telling her he wanted a bachelor’s life, and she instead married Viscount Rothermere, but they later divorced because she continued to see Fleming.
Together, they had a son, Caspar, the boy for whom he’d pen Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
He might have been arrogant at times, and he was certainly self-destructive with his smoking and drinking, but Fleming was also a nice man.
Even when speaking to the ambulance drivers as they tried to save his life after another heart attack, he said: “I am sorry to trouble you, chaps. I don’t know how you get along so fast with the traffic on the roads these days.”
He died on August 12, 1964, and was buried in the churchyard at Sevenhampton, near Swindon."
Operation Mincemeat WWII deception prior to invading Italyby Ian Fleming Full
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBk3sSUB5X4&t=846s
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC (Join to see) Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Lt Col Charlie Brown Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. "Bill" Price Maj Marty Hogan SCPO Morris Ramsey SSG John Ross SGT Mark Halmrast Sgt Randy Wilber Sgt John H. SGT Gregory Lawritson CPL Dave Hoover SPC Margaret Higgins SSgt Brian Brakke 1stSgt Eugene Harless CPT Scott Sharon
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SGT Robert George SFC Shirley Whitfield MSG Mark Million COL Lee Flemming LTC (Join to see) PO1 William "Chip" Nagel SSgt Harvey "Skip" Porter SCPO Morris Ramsey SFC William Farrell Alan K. LTC Greg Henning SSgt (Join to see) Sgt Trevor Barrett Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. MSG Andrew White SP5 Mark Kuzinski SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth Cpl Scott McCarroll LTC John Shaw LTC John Griscom
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