I am considering reading the actual 007 novels, so I thought I'd ask which one is the best one.

I know some might think that it's important to start with the first, Casino Royale, but I'm not convinced I'll read the entire series. So, if I were to read just one Bond book, which one shoulod it be?

I was thinking of trying Quantam of Solace, since it's all short stories, but I think I'd rather just go with the best Bond possible.

I started with Casino Royale. I think one of the best would be From Russia With Love, especially considering that it's your favorite of the movies.

I read Diamonds are Forever. I saw it at Half Priced Books on a shelf and figured why not? One of the best books I've ever read.

Casino royale. Read them in order.

Lock it up.

LIVE AND LET DIE, MOONRAKER, and DR NO are all excellent books. Any one would be a good choice. Whichever one you choose, I hope you enjoy it, but reading something originally published in the 1950s may be a bit of a culture shock.

This is true. Especially with Live and Let Die. Many claim it is racist, but I don't believe it to be.

I was surprise how good they were, even tho they are 50 years old.

I actually like older books better than newer ones-- keep in mind, my favorite two authors (not that I read fiction often) are ERB and REH.

Hmm. With that in mind, I recommend LIVE AND LET DIE. It's the book immediately after Fleming's CASINO ROYALE, so you'll already be familiar with Bond's emotional state at the beginning of the book.

I've only read one, and it was Casino Royale. I quite enjoyed it. But it was before the movie, so I might not like it as much if I had seen the movie

One of my favorites of all time was The Spy Who Loved Me, but it's not a typical James Bond story.

If I may ask, what is it about LIVE AND LET DIE that is allegedly racist?

(I haven't read it.)

The title of Chapter 5 is "N***er Heaven" and Fleming uses the word negro extensively and n***er occasionally.

Paulie has those parts highlighted and those pages dog-eared.

Way to perpetuate the Southern stereotype there, Jay.

At least you noticed those passages. Kevin doesn't even remember seeing them.

I remember them quite well. (Even though Chapter Five is called "Seventh Avenue" in my copy...)

I've never viewed the book as racist in any way. The main villain and all of his henchmen are black men. Fleming had them speaking to each other in as realistic a fashion as he knew. Also, to Fleming, Harlem was an exotic locale and he was attempting to capture the flavor and mystique of a culture that was very different from anything his readers knew. Also, "Negro" was common termnology back then and carried no derogatory connotations.

When M is giving Bond his assignment, he makes an interesting statement. Bond says something about how in his experience, he's never heard of a major Negro criminal and that in general they seem to be "law-abiding chaps." M responds that there are now many examples of genius among them; scientists, doctors, etc., and that it's inevitable that eventually they'd produce a great criminal. I honestly don't see how that could be racist.

I completely agree. I didn't get racism, either. I was just explaining why other people accuse the book of racism. And you must have an older American copy, the chapter title was changed at publication for our delicate sensibilities and recently restored.

Aside from the dropping of the "N" word(s), is that the part that's allegedly racist? The idea that genius is somehow new to black folks?

I can see that pissing some people off, but in the context of the 1950's, some readers must have considered that a radical, open-minded concept.

I call shenanigans!

Since they seem to be pretty cheap on AmazWAN, maybe I'll order a few-- how long does it take to read one? Are they short and fast-paced? Drawn-out?

I suppose I'll go with Live & Let Die; if I go with a couple, I'll probably throw in From Russia and Dr. No.

I don't know for certain; my take on that passage is pretty much the same as yours. I just checked the book and M also says "They've got plenty of brains, ability, and guts."

I think that the part most consider racist is the way the villains speak to each other. Also, it could be that the villain, Mr. Big, manipulates the superstitious attitudes of the times in order to ensure that even law-abiding black people fear him. He uses voodoo legends, etc.

Well, you move your lips when you read, so it might take you a little longer than most.