The Blofeld Trilogy: Thunderball/On Her Majesty's Secret Service/You Only Live Twice

Reading Fleming's books is certainly a wise move for any fan of the Bond films. The "omnibus" is an excellent way to start, for it presents a flowing triology of action and angst between Bond and the hated SPECTRE agent Blofeld. On paper Bond becomes much more human and at times more vulnerable, which lends itself to greater suspense throughout the three stories. After reading the collection, one must ask why the films didn't stick with the plot and design of Fleming's writing--for in the writing lies the true 007.

Mr. Bond and his arch nemisis, the criminal genius Ernst Blofeld, return and roll out the thrills in three novels. Bond thwarts three straight Blofeld opperations, gets the girl, and ultimatly destroys him and his entire circle of thugs in the last book of the volume, "You Only Live Twice." However, I thought the endings a bit weak in "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" and in "You Only Live Twice." A must read for any Bondophile.

A prime example of Fleming's genius as a writer. Bond is human and credible, the plots more realistic today than they were 30 years ago, the action and tension better than what the MTV generation gets...stylish, elegant and gripping...one finally gets to meet the real Bond.