Who was the first to play James Bond? The answer is not Sean Connery in Dr. No as you'd think. Who were the others in the Double O section and what happened to them? The answer to these and many other questions is to be found in You Know My Name -- The World Of James Bond, 007, In Film And Print. In this first-ever definitive guide to the books and films, author Cristopher DeRose gathers in one place everything you ever wanted to know about that 20th-century icon, James Bond. It includes a Bond biography, as well as that notorious martini recipe. Far more than a trivia book, You Know My Name delves deep into the books and movies themselves to find the backstories and Hollywood politics that created the mythology of the spy and the genre we know today. The reader discovers why some movies are similar to the books and some aren't, and what little-known short stories by Ian Fleming found their way to the screen. You learn how it all came together, and watch James Bond evolve while feeling like you've got an Eyes Only security authorization. The detailed filmography is a topnotch reference (including "Casino Royale" (2006)). It's got the names of all the good guys, the bad guys, and the actors who played them. It's got all the songs and performers listed, not just the theme music. This is a book not to be missed by Bond fans, or anyone who knows the meaning of the number 007.

Following jaunts into way too many rock bands as a guitarist and bassist in the '80s, Cristopher started writing genre fiction, finding success in publications like GOTHIC.NET, and TALEBONES. His novella THE PALE, and novel LIVES OF FUTURE PAST were published by Black Cat Press, and his short story collection THE ADAGIO CHRONICLES published by Graveworm Press. His novel, TO CAST A VIOLENT SHADOW will be released in 2007 by Whitestar Books Cristopher is a presence the field of nonfiction, specifically interviews, acting as a Staff Writer for the SCIFI Channel's website, Sci Fi Weekly and has gone on to write opinion columns, film and book reviews, and essays for a variety of premier publications including Filmfax, Horror Garage, Surreal, and Cemetery Dance. His book, YOU KNOW MY NAME, THE WORLD OF JAMES BOND 007 IN FILM AND PRINT; was published by Men's Hour Books, and will be seeing its third edition with the release of CASINO ROYALE in 2006. He and wife Jennifer and their son Ryan live in Los Angeles. His website is located at cristopherderose.com.

2007-11-05 A rushed update

This is at best a handy collation of information about all things Bond. This latest edition is being marketed on the back of the recent Casino Royale, but little if any effort appears to have gone into revising the edition properly. (e.g. referring to the appearance of Felix in Licence To Kill as being the last to date). Rather, parts look like they have simply been tagged-on to enable this book to be called current. There are interesting pieces of information, but the book is littered with inaccuracies and I found the poor use of English (at times, virtually unintelligible) a big distraction. Further, with no pictures and little to break up the text (summaries of the plot go straight into commentary without a break), this is not in my opinion a book that is a pleasure to read or refer to as a reference work.