A short background of Ian Fleming and his time serving in British Naval Intelligence during World War II
Fleming came from a military background. His father, Valentine Fleming, fought on the Western Front, and Winston Churchill himself wrote an obituary for him, and his brother, Peter Fleming, was also a soldier. Ian’s parents sent him to Tennerhof in Kitzbühel, Austria, hoping he’d enter Foreign Office. Eventually, he was recruited by Admiral John Godfrey, who later inspired M, a recurring character in Bond novels.
Fleming’s work in Naval Intelligence was varied. He helped plan and coordinate various missions and served as Godfrey’s personal assistant, who later put him in charge of two intelligence units, 30 Assault Unit and T-Force. He also ran the Goldeneye Operation, in which a number of commandos were under him, some of which also served as inspirations for Bond, an English commando in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve himself.
Before World War II, he worked for Reuters and as a stockbroker. When the war ended, Fleming started working as a full-time foreign manager for Kemsley, a newspaper group that owned The Sunday Times.
Fleming lived a stressful and adventurous life, spending time abroad, most famously in Moscow. Ian Fleming married Ann Fleming, who was previously known as Lady O’Neil and Viscountess Rothermere, in 1952.
He often smoked and drank heavily. He died of a heart attack in 1962, aged 56. His last two novels were published posthumously, with Kingsley Amis famously trying to edit one before it went into print. He’s buried in Canterbury, Kent.
The Bond films based on Fleming’s Books
Fleming’s work inspired one of the longest-running and most beloved movie franchises of all time: the James Bond movies. There have been almost thirty movies since the early ’60s, but not all of them were based directly on the novels. The most recent series, the one starring Daniel Craig, was sort of a reboot of the series, starting with 2006 Casino Royale.
Bond movies have entered popular culture, with the protagonist becoming synonymous with suave, sharp gentlemen who save the world and get the girl no matter what. However, some of the more recent entries in the series have tried presenting Bond as more human—as a man with his own problems and weaknesses and a man whose actions can have dire consequences.
Where to listen to Fleming’s Books
Fleming wrote a number of New York Times bestsellers, and thanks to the success of the Bond movie franchise, his books are available worldwide in a number of languages and formats, including paperback, hardcover, e-books, and audiobooks. For the most epic experience, however, you should listen to the stories in audiobook format. They’re available on all major audiobook platforms, such as Amazon Audible and Speechify.
Speechify
If you really want to feel like you’re accompanying Bond and his allies on their international espionage journey, look no further than Speechify.
Speechify is a new audiobook service with over 60,000 best-selling tiles in all virtually every genre available for download. The app supports all mobile and desktop platforms, and thanks to the fantastic work of some of the greatest voice-acting talent in the industry, it’s the most enjoyable way to experience your favorite story dramatized and brought to life.
Speechify has adjustable reading speed options as well as sync and digital bookmarking features, so you can enjoy your next Bond book on multiple devices at your own pace.
The best part? Speechify has a free trial option, so you can check out a premium book for free before committing to any pricing plans. Download Speechify today and experience Fleming’s work like never before.
FAQ
Who was Ian Fleming’s inspiration for James Bond?
There are several possible inspirations for the character of Bond, but most people agree he was mostly based on Dusko Popov, a Serbian secret agent working for MI6.
Is James Bond based on Ian Fleming?
No, James Bond is not based on Fleming himself. The plots, however, are inspired by Fleming’s work and travels.
What did Ian Fleming think of Sean Connery?
Fleming famously excluded Connery from the shortlist for Bond. In turn, Connery called Fleming a pompous snob.
How much is Ian Fleming worth?
Fleming died in the ’60s, but his estate is worth about $100 million.
How many books did Ian Fleming write?
Fleming wrote more than a dozen Bond novels as well as several other works and anthologies, as well as the beloved children’s novel Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.