Customer Reviews

On Her Majesty's Secret Service

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

One of the last of the original Bond Books, On Her Majesty's Secret Service is also one of the best. Picking up a year after the end of Thunderball, this book finds James Bond again battling the nefarious schemes of Ernest Stavro Blofeld and SPECTRE and, most importantly, falling in love with the beautiful, resourceful, and ultimately tragic Tracy. Though the usual intrigue is well-presented by Fleming, he also makes it clear that Blofeld's plan is hardly meant to be taken all that seriously. (Without ruining it for those who might never have read the book or seen the surprisingly faithful film adaption, it all comes down to Blofeld hidden away in Switzerland, pretending to be an allergist, and brainwashing English farm girls. No, it doesn't make a lot of sense but Fleming obviously had so much fun presenting it that most readers won't take offense.) The heart of this book -- and this Fleming treats with an admirable seriousness that should take his critics by surprise -- is the love story between Bond and Tracy. In Tracy, Fleming has created perhaps his most fully realized "Bond girl." Vulnerable yet resourseful and more than capable of taking care of herself (and, at times, perhaps even more so than Bond himself), its hard not to fall in love with this character and when Bond finally does decide to reject all others for her, its impossible to disagree with his logic. Its a compelling, rather touching love story and, even though most Bond films know how its going to end, the ending still packs a heavy impact.

As for Bond himself, after being a rather predictable presence in Thunderball, he's back in full form as a full realized, interesting character in this novel. On Her Majesty's Secret Service was written after the release of Dr. No (Ursula Andress even makes a cameo appearance at the time) and one can sense that, with this book, Fleming is reestablishing his claim on the character. From the intentionally ludicrous evil scheme to the frequent excursions into Bond's head (revealing him hardly to be the ruthless, unflappable killer that filmgoers though him to be), Fleming comes across as a reenergized writer in this book -- determind to let all the new Bond fans out there know who is really in charge of their favorite secret agent's destiny. The result is one of the best of the original Bond books and one of the best spy thrillers I've read in a long time.

This is probably Ian Fleming's most interesting and personal James Bond novel. This book precedes "You Only Live Twice" as it sends James Bond on a mission to track down the head of SPECTRE. This is a very well written novel and is very interesting trying to fathom what Fleming had been contemplating for his hero at that time in his life. I found this absorbing novel very difficult to put down once I started reading it as I did with its follow-up. If you do decide to read it I recommend that you read it before "You Only Live Twice." I will go one step further, if you read both of these novels then read "The Man with the Golden Gun" after you finish "You Only Live Twice." These three novels make up a sort of trilogy. One hint: "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" is very close to the movie version. "You Only Live Twice" and "The Man with the Golden Gun" movies have very little at all to do with the Fleming novels in any direct sense of plot and conflict. So don't be discouraged. I have read these three novels several times over.

Years ago a friend had told me that "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" was one of his favorite movies, not because he preferred George Lazenby over Sean Connery, but rather because the movie was so much like the book! I read the book and I'm inclined to agree with him.

It's the second novel by Fleming to feature arch villain Ernst Stavro Blofeld of the Special Executive for Counter Intelligence, Espionage, Revenge, Terror, and Extortion (SPECTRE). Just like "THUNDERBALL", Blofeld's got a clandestine scheme in the works that could ruin Great Britain and make him a rich, rich man. The British secret service has their best man on the case and 007 is going to have to rely on his sharp wits and resourcefulness if he's going to foil SPECTRE's plans.

Of all the James Bond novels I've read, this one ranks as the best of the best! Nobody does it better than Ian Fleming. 5 STARS!

James Bond at his best. Following the last novel, Thunderball, 007 is tracking down the leader of the organization known as SPECTRE, which was behind the trouble in Thunderball. Ernst Stavro Blofeld is an excellent villian; intellegent, resourceful, and very menacing. The action is intense and it builds up to a memorable climax, and the ending is one that I will never forget. Likeable characters like Marc-Ange Draco and lovable heroine Tracy make this book the best novel I have read in a long time. JAMES BOND IS 007. The movie isn't all too bad either, it is very close to the book (surprisingly).

Without a doubt, Ian Fleming's finest James Bond Novel. Mr. Fleming neatly round out the character of James Bond as the reader sees the complete person behind our favorite government operator. The book begins with Bond begining to becomed bored with his assignment and meeting the love of his life. Due to the nature of his work and the emotional scars from previous relationships, Bond is always reluctant to engage in a serious romance with a woman. However, this time, Bond is willing to take his chances to find someone to fill the void in his life. Aside from the romance, Bond also has a job to do. Reinvigorated by progress in his once moribund assignment, Bond tackles his arch enemy Ernst Stavro Blofled through Fleming's engaing narrative. References to Bond's childhood memories, past assignments, and his dreams are particularly effective. Fleming's rich imagination transports the reader from Bond's old haunts on the Northern French coast to the Swiss Alps, where 007 once again takes his licks for "Queen and Country." Hats off to Fleming for his gutsy ending, which unfortunately for Bond, underlines the fact that 007 will always belong to "Her Majesty's Secret Service."

Very good. This was a fun read. One of the best books that I have read, but not as good as From Russia With Love. The book was very exciting and had a great ending. Definitly one of Fleming's best.

wow what abook i am glad to do this report! this book was fasinating to read! Bond never did anythging like this before! Great ending! wow and a sad ending it is!

Bond, weary of pursing Blofeld, leader of the international crime synidcate SPECTRE, is ready to quit Secret Service, when something unexpected happens: he falls in love. Rich, troubled Countess Tracy di Vicenzo is the daughter of Draco, head of the French Mafia. Using Draco's connections, Bond finds and infiltrates Blofeld's Swiss hideout, only to discover Blofeld's new scheme for global blackmail. On skis and bobsleds, Bond duels Blofeld and his henchmen, newly motivated by a future filled with his love for Tracy, and a family life. But can normal happiness be in the cards for anyone On Her Majesty's Secret Service? A great book for Bond fans to read! Buy this book.

I've read every Ian Fleming James Bond novel, and I must say, "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" is an undisputed #1. This is James Bond at his finest. He is at his most resourceful and clever, not relying at all on gadgets. It is a more serious book as well, with the best ending of them all. I would highly reccommend reading many of the other novels first, because before you can really appreciate James Bond doing what he does in this book (I'm not going to say what it is), you should understand his past experiences. It is the most personal and thrilling of all the novels, and it is a very close match to the movie. In conclusion, people may say that "From Russia With Love" is the best, but trust me, nothing can compare to this book.

Very good. This was a fun read. One of the best books that I have read, but not as good as From Russia With Love. The book was very exciting and had a great ending. Definitly one of Fleming's best.