On Her Majesty's Secret Service (James Bond Novels) (Paperback)

by Ian Fleming (Author)
Key Phrases: cable railway, James Bond, Sable Basilisk, Sir Hilary (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
When Bond saves a beautiful, reckless girl from self-destruction, he finds himself with a lead on Blofeld. In the snow-bound fastness of his Alpine base, Blofeld is conducting research that could threaten the safety of the world. To thwart the evil genius, Bond must get himself and the vital information he has gathered out of the base and keep away from SPECTRE's agents. Which may require the help of the rescued maiden who can handle herself at high speed... --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author
Born in London in 1908, Ian Fleming worked variously as a banker and journalist before serving in the British Naval Intelligence during World War II. He published his first novel CASINO ROYALE in 1953 and thus started the astoundingly successful James Bond novels and films. Fleming died in 1964. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics) (September 2, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0142003255
• ISBN-13: 978-0142003251
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #54,377 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite Bond, January 11, 2004

By	Kimberley Wilson (VA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

James Bond has come to a crossroads in this book. He's seriously thinking of quitting and goes as far as composing a bitter resignation from the Secret Service. He's restless, unhappy and is looking for ...something. And then he meets a girl. In the middle of a romance that surprises and even scares him a little Bond gets handed an asignment that turns out to be far more complicated than even he could've dreamed. Blofeld is back and this time their encounter becomes personal.

If you saw the excellent movie then you know what happens.

Ian Fleming did a fantastic job with the sublte foreshadowing. Bond meets Tracy in the same town where he met Vesper Lynde in Casino Royale. We learn that he's been visiting Vesper's grave once a year for years. It reminds the reader that Bond does have a heart and it can be moved. Later, Bond, to his chagrin realizes that he wants to wrap this Blofeld business up mainly so he can get back to Tracy.

In addition to this, the usual Bond trademarks are here. You have a horrifying villain, revolting flunkies, glorious scenary, a desperate chase that almost gets Bond killed and an unforgetable ending.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderfully Bond, April 13, 2005

By	Felix Crumm (Wheaton, IL) - See all my reviews

Don't just see the movie, READ THE BOOK! This book brings James Bond alive in ways the movie can't. Listen to 007's thoughts as he acts out this alpine drama. This character is much fuller and more dynamic than the movie Bond.

I always loved the Sean Connery movies better than the other actors. One of the reasons was he had more of a '60s' high-society flare. More Mission Impossible than Charlies Angels. One of the benefits of these books is they benefit from being written in the 60s. The characters, the situations, the bad guys, the women are all laced with everything I liked about Sean Connery Bond, but even more so.

These books are a refreshing relief from the Action/Espionage thrillers of today. Don't just stand there... order it!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of Ian Fleming's best books, December 11, 2003

By	Frank Ponce "Movie Mavin" (Norwalk, CA) - See all my reviews

If James Bond could do well in the big screen he certainly does in this novel by Ian Fleming. Fleming brings his entertaining writing into a realistic novel. I love this book. It brings excitement, suspense, romance, a little novelty and the shocking climax is Fleming's best ending in a 007 novel.

The beginning of the book has Bond rescuing a suicidal woman from a beach. Bond at this point of his spy career is bad. He wants a discharge from the service in order to possibly start a family. In the meantime he meets the same woman at a French casino where he saves her at the table. Her name is Tracy, a spoiled and hard-nosed girl who is exactly a contessa and daughter of a crime boss. Later on the story takes a sudden turn. Tracy's father, Marc-Ange offers Bond a proposition. He would give Bond vital information about the whereabouts of the evil Blofeld if Bond would marry his daughter. Bond is hesitant. He actually likes her but refuses the deal. Bond thinks it over. Bond doesn't want to miss the chance of apprending Blofeld, so he agrees to court Tracy, but not to marry her. Bond receives Blofeld's wherabouts in the mountaintops of Switzerland. He assumes the alias of Sir Hillary Gray, a genealogist, in order to infultraite Blofeld's "medical clinic" who specializes at curing people's allergies. Surprisingly, when Bond gets there, the place is guarded like a fort and the attendants are all woman. Bond uses his charm to woo the ladies in order to learn Blofeld's evil plan. Bond's investigation soon goes out of control and becomes a target of Blofeld and his goons. He escapes the dangerous mountaintops of the Swiss Alps and reunites with Tracy. The story then turns into a chase and Bond & Tracy must survive, along with their passisonate love for each other. I won't reveal the rest of the plot along with the surprising ending because I want you readers to read this fantastic novel. Ian Fleming is an amazing author. Oh by the way the movie is just as good as the book. Bye.