Customer Reviews

My Word is My Bond A Memoir

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4 star:		(25)
3 star:		(18)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

If you loved Roger Moore in the 007 films, the Saint and the Persuaders you are going to love this book! What you will discover is the reason that Roger Moore is so likable on the screen and off. You will see what formed his character early on and throughout his life making him the kind, unspoiled and unselfish man that he is.

This book made me recall what an old man once told me about happiness. He said, "There are three things in life that you need to be happy. One is to love. Two is to be loved. And three is having a feeling of accomplishment. Two out of three isn't bad" he said. Well Roger Moore had and has all three. Hi mother and father and relatives loved him very much as he was growing up. The same can be said about his many friends and fellow actors and even wives that he knew throughout his life. His book clearly shows this and how he returned that love to all of them. His accomplishments were so many more than most of us are aware of going back long before the Saint and going on well after Bond. There are so many more credits in his resume than I was aware of.

The book makes it clear though that his proudest accomplishment is the work that he has done raising money for UNICEF as this has made a significant difference in the lives of poor disadvantaged children throughout the world.

A brilliantly written and poignant book. Full of dry wit and wonderful stories. I highly recommend it.

Throughout my life, whenever someone mentions James Bond, I immediately think of Roger Moore. His singular wit and mastery of the double entendre never cease to entertain me to this very day. When I had the chance to read & review "My Word is my Bond", I didn't jump - I leapt at it!

From the beginning, Moore makes it plain that he wouldn't be bringing up recycled scandals or mudslinging anyone...and if he couldn't say anything nice, he'd prefer not to say anything at all "...unless pushed to say a few words by my editor!" No, the book holds true to his promise of telling funny stories and recalling events and friends that have shaped his life.

It was a relief to see that Moore didn't jump right away into Bond stories...no, he talked quite a bit about his beginnings - childhood illnesses, a fledgling worker in the Publicity Picture Productions, enrolling in the Association of Cinema Technicians (which helped immensely when he decided to direct years later), wartime relocations, and the birth of his acting career as an extra at Denham Studios. We get to experience the joys and pitfalls of his early Hollywood jobs, his marriages, and the success of his two tv shows, The Saint and The Persuaders.

The saga of James Bond doesn't come around until chapter nine, but it's well worth the wait. There's no shortage of humorous stories, both on and off the set. I can't reveal all of them, but there is one exchange with a special effects technician that never ceases to make me laugh:

"Now Rog, there'll be a few explosions..."
"It always unnerves me when the man who says this type of thing holds up his hand to reveal two missing fingers."

Comedic gold!

Moore had interactions with celebrities such as Christopher Lee, Michael Caine, Elton John, Frank Sinatra, and several others...but his most important was with Audrey Hepburn; as she began his involvement with UNICEF. The latter half of the book describes his journey to several countries with a genuine desire to help impoverished and disadvantaged children all over the world.

Roger Moore started each chapter with some type of in-joke that couldn't be deduced until it was completed. It made each section a treasure hunt that kept me wanting to read more. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about Roger Moore's life before and after the Walther PPK.

He promised to provide an entertaining book...
...and his word truly is his bond.

Highly recommended.

Some of the best books I have ever read were memoirs by Peter Ustinov, Ray Milland, and David Niven. They were witty, compelling, and warm. I was hoping for a similar experience with this book by Sir Roger Moore, and was disappointed in that the story was lost due to the dry writing style. His path followed the others' a generation later -- growing up in Britain during a war, taking his part with the armed forces, landing in the movie business. But whereas the earlier memoirs kept me laughing and riveted the entire time, I had to work at reading it. This is not Roger Moore's fault -- an editor willing to give some assistance would have improved the experience for everyone concerned, from the initial drafting, to the final reading. I wish I had liked it more. Sir Moore does come across as a warm, kind, likeable fellow, but the story itself is not a compelling read.

Many years ago when Roger Moore accepted a Golden Globe as "World Film Favorite," the English actor then starring as James Bond smiled and said, "I'd like to apologize for not being present tonight."

The self-deprecating wit he displayed when being honored by the Hollywood Foreign Press makes his memoir, "My Word Is My Bond," a delight to read. Moore's ability to laugh at himself served him well during his lengthy tenure as 007. Although he played the famous superspy in seven films (one more than Sean Connery in the official series; 1983's "Never Say Never Again," like 1967's "Casino Royale," doesn't count), the unfavorable comparisons to Connery's rougher, more ruthless portrayal never stopped. Now that we've had six Bonds, including the perpetually grim Daniel Craig, it's easier to appreciate Moore's lighter, more humane approach to the role.

"My Bond was a lover and a giggler," he writes, but when his directors sought to toughen up his 007, as in "For Your Eyes Only," Moore showed he could be as ruthless as the best of them.

Moore nonetheless remained a gentleman off-screen, and when reminiscing about his career, he never engages in backbiting or settling scores. "I've always said if you've nothing nice to say about someone, then you should say nothing," he writes, but he lets us know enough about Grace Jones (from his Bond swan song, "A View to a Kill") and Jean-Claude Van Damme (co-star and director of one of Moore's less memorable later films) to make it clear why he doesn't want to say even more.

But he writes amusingly of other show biz veterans he's encountered. The contrast between himself and Tony Curtis, his American co-star in the early '70s series, "The Persuaders," was as marked off-screen as it was on, and Moore relates how Curtis, then a very public anti-smoking zealot, thought nothing of toking away on marijuana throughout the production. Moore is always the diplomat, graciously accepting second billing to Curtis because he's "all for an easy life," and hanging on to his dinner plate in a restaurant after tyrannical Bond producer Harry Saltzman berates a waiter and demands that his meal, and those of his fellow diners, be returned. "Mine's fine, Harry!" Moore said, then expresses the worry that the peeved waiter might decide to take revenge by spitting in the food.

Of course, after his knighthood in 2003, it's "Sir" Roger Moore, but though he always seemed to possess a royal bearing, Moore's early life was anything but posh. He summarizes his childhood and the many illnesses he suffered, but the bulk of the book focuses on his career, from the early stage and television work, including his roles on "Maverick" and "The Saint," to his big-screen breakthrough as James Bond, a role producer Lew Grade warned would ruin his career.

Since relinquishing 007's license to kill following 1985's "A View to a Kill," Moore's film appearances have been infrequent. but his work as a UNICEF Special Representative gave him the opportunity to be even more heroic than any screen character could be. He writes movingly of visiting children whose limbs were lost to weapons of war, and of how he "felt as if I'd performed some sort of miracle" when he turned on the first tap that brought fresh, clean water to a village in Guatemala.

But whether he's playing a dapper, worldly secret agent on screen, or making good use of his celebrity as an ambassador of good will and compassion in the real world, Moore remains the man who "always prided myself on being an unspoilt, down-to-earth individual. I like the finer things in life, sure, but I've never forgotten my roots and how lucky I have been."

Those who've enjoyed Moore's work through the years have been lucky themselves, as are those who treat themselves to his fine memoir.

Brian W. Fairbanks

Roger Moore was my first James Bond, and like a baby duck he was the one I imprinted on. As I got older I appreciated other Bonds, but Moore was always my favorite.

I received this book and with great eagerness turned immediately to the Bond section. I was rewarded with a great deal of insight and some fantastic stories about the characters and creators involved in the Bond universe. After I finished that section I went back to read the Saint stories, then the Maverick stories and finally skipped ahead to find out information on one of my favorite movies of all time, "Ffolkes."

After I finished all that, I went back to the beginning and read through the rest of the book. The main thing I enjoyed was the fact that Roger Moore seems to be a very natural storyteller and a great gentleman. I can hear his voice while I am reading and the book very much flows as if he is relating these stories while speaking.

There is really no "kiss and tell" in this book, Mr. Moore shows too much class for that type of autobiography, but if you are interested in behind the scenes personalities and tales of a number of famous performers you will find that.

Overall this is a great, light read for any Roger Moore fan. I wish him the best and hope his book is very successful.

When you mention James Bond to most anyone, the first image that pops into most minds is that of Sean Connery (maybe Pierce Brosnan for the latest generation). As a child of the 80's I always considered Roger Moore "my" James Bond. I always felt Moore's contribution as Britain's super spy was undervalued, and I was looking forward to reading his memoir which I assumed would feature some great behind the scenes stories and experiences of his days as Bond.
Unfortunately, Moore fairly glosses over each of his bond films, maybe dedicating a page or two on each film. Very little behind the scenes info is passed along, and I felt that he did nothing to address what it was like to step into an established character and make it his own. I really wanted to hear what it was like for Moore to inherit the franchise, but it's so briefly discussed that little or no interesting information on his Bond films is to be found here.
Going beyond Bond, I did like the early part of the novel where Moore told of growing up in London during World War 2. Again, I wish he had gone into more detail about life during that time period. I cannot imagine being a child sent away from family and home at such a young age in order to avoid the Nazi Blitz, or watching a genuine dogfight occur overhead while swimming on a summer afternoon.
Moore does go into great detail about his work with UNICEF, and while I commend his voluntary service with that fantastic organization, it does make for a fairly boring section of the book. "My Word is my Bond" suddenly becomes a travelogue of third world countries.
And maybe it's just me, but as an American fan, I was sometimes stumped at the use of British Slang or phrases. One I'm still puzzling over leads off Chapter 11:
"Oh, the Heaven of dripping-on-toast."
I'm sure that has to do with eating (a good portion of the book deals with food, wine, restraunts and eating), but not sure what a "dripping-on-toast" is?
Or this one from Chapter 3:
"Such generosity I thought. Yes, and it came at a price - my first week's thirty bob!"
Not really sure what a "bob" is, but I'm guessing money of some amount?
Moore also likes to talk about all of the people he's worked with, friends and family, famous and not. This is fine, I can appreciate that to a degree, but when he talks about someone in chapter 2, then references them again in a familiar way in chapter 12, it's easy for the reader to get confused. Moore introduces so many people in his memoir it's tough to keep them all straight as to who does what, where and why.
It may sound as though I thoroughly hated this book, but I didn't. With a little editing this could be a very enjoyable book. Maybe include an entire chapted on each Bond film as opposed to just a mention or so, and this could be a great memoir. As it stands now, it's just a bunch of references to various illness, multiple people, various foods, and a detailed advert for UNICEF.

I'm just about at the halfway point, and thought I'd be bored until the Bond chapters came. NOPE---it's great from the get go, and who knew Moore was this funny? Very insightful and so far I've learned more about one of my favorite actors than I had expected to considering the 007-centered title.

"Guy [Hamilton] wanted to toughten up my Bond a little. I think it's most evident in the scenes I had with Maud Adams, where I twisted her arm and threatened - rather coldy - to break it unless she told me what i wanted to know. That sort of characterization didn't sit easy with me, but Guy was keen to make my Bond a little more ruthless, like Fleming's. I suggested my Bond would have charmed the information out of her by bedding her first. My Bond was a lover and a giggler."

Yep, Roger Moore gives commentary, behind-the-scenes stories and it's a wonderful read. Every Bond had their own distinct style. Daniel Craig presently has a habit of tossing things like door knobs and car keys aside as if he doesn't care about anything. Moore's style is just as pleasing in this read.

Too many autobiographies focus on personal life and too little of the films they did (which readers really want to read anyway). Guess what? Moore goes through his personal life briefly, then focuses on his early films, followed by The Saint, The Persuaders, and finally Bond. And yes, almost half of the book is centered about his Bond personna. So do yourself a favor and grab this book. The stories and views of Roger Moore is wonderful. Thank you, Sir.

The title of Roger Moore's memoir suggests an light, anecdotal romp through his years as superagent James Bond. If you're interested ONLY in Moore's Bond tenure, there's plenty here to inform and entertain you, with behind-the-scenes "how we did it" stories. Be advised, however, that there's a lot more to this prolific actor's career, and he reflects on his life and times with wit and candor.

Errol Flynn told his story with a wink; David Niven told his with a grin. Roger Moore tells his with a quiet smirk (think of "The Saint," and imagine his glance upward at the halo). Like Flynn and Niven, Moore cheerfully admits to a naughty-schoolboy sense of humor, and he tells many stories with a tongue-in-cheek "who, me?" air. His wit is sometimes so understated that some readers might mistake his I'm-much-too-good-an-actor whimsy for ego. For all of his lofty remarks about being paid commensurately with his ability ("Being the consummate ponce [slang for mercenary]... billing has never really worried me. I much prefer the cheque."), Moore is just kidding. He is actually quite unselfish with his praise of friends and colleagues, and whenever he is treated shabbily by someone, he takes the high road and says as little as possible about the offender.

Portions of the book concerning his personal life could have used sharper editing. Moore speaks of his wife Luisa but 12 pages later his wife's name is Kristina. Although we ultimately find out who Kristina is, the reader may expect an occasional lapse in continuity, and sketchiness about when things happened. But Moore skims over the gaps with anecdotes for every occasion, and they keep the narrative moving nicely.

The book's strongest suit is Moore's crystal-clear recollections of events that have affected him strongly: his youth in England and the little things that impress themselves indelibly on a developing character; his days as a struggling actor; his backstage stories of show business; and his accounts of the many lands he has visited in recent years as a humanitarian. This is when Moore is truly a reporter, painting near-photographic portraits with sensitivity and honesty.

The publisher may be slanting this book toward the James Bond audience, so it's heavy on Bond stories at the expense of The Saint and Beau Maverick. Still, it's the next best thing to having a private audience with Roger Moore, and for that alone the book is highly recommended.

Uncle Roger came to spend a few days with us recently. (We're not related, of course, but if we were, he would be my mother's youngest brother -even if he is quite a bit older than she is!)

Every night he would entertain us with stories from his life, from his early childhood in London up to now.

He told us about his various illnesses as a child, his having to be separated from his parents due to the Blitz in London, his early career as an animator (!) and film extra, his acting work on tv, first in England, then in LA,... his first films, the Saint, The Persuaders...and then something about a John (or was it James?) Bond or something...

Kidding aside, I pre ordered this book the moment I heard about it. Roger Moore was my first James Bond (The Spy Who Loved Me) and has always been my favorite famous person whom I have not met...yet.

Something I definitely enjoyed about this book was how little scandal he was involved in, no heavy drug use, no alcoholism, no falls from grace to overcome. This is NOT your usual 'True Hollywood Story" memoir!

In fact, you'll find him to to be some kind of real life Forrest Gump, floating from one amazing situation to the next, surrounded by the biggest stars of the time (Elizabeth Taylor! Audrey Hepburn! David Niven! Frank Sinatra! The Spice Girls!) who all seem to like him and make him their friend.

His stories are all light-hearted, never mean and usually quite funny. He never takes himself too seriously nor tries to hog the spotlight, instead he allows us to see these events as he himself saw them.
He does get serious when talking about his health scare (although he is the first to admit that he is a bit of a hypochondriac) and when he talks about UNICEF (for which he has done some wonderful work).

But basically, this is the story of a very charming, self-effacing film legend, who unlike the majority of other stars, knows exactly how lucky he has been with his lot in life and would love to share it with us.

We miss you already, Uncle Roger, Please come back with more stories for us!