Quantum of Solace

Quantum of Solace: The Complete James Bond Short Stories is the new collection of James Bond short stories, written by Ian Fleming, and Quantum of Solace is the name of one of the short stories contained therein. This collection is the first time all nine of Ian Fleming's James Bond short stories have appeared in one volume together. Also, their publication coincides with the upcoming new James Bond film, Quantum of Solace, starring Daniel Craig. Interestingly, the film Quantum of Solace is not based on the short story of the same name. Nevertheless, these short stories offer glimpses into James Bond and the sorts of adventures he undertakes not available from the longer novels. In fact, one of the most compelling stories in the collection, Quantum of Solace, is just a conversation between James Bond and the Governor of the Bahamas---this story alone is worth the purchase price of the collection. The entire list of short stories is: "From a View to a Kill" "For Your Eyes Only" "Quantum of Solace" "Risico" "The Hildebrand Rarity" "Octopussy" "The Property of a Lady" "The Living Daylights" "007 in New York" Cheers. (review by Kendall Giles)

Finally we get all of Ian Fleming's James Bond short stories in one book. This is a very good collection of these fine works. Using one of the short story titles as the title of this collection, "Quantum of Solace" is a masterpiece.

"Quantum of Solace - the amount of comfort. Yes, I suppose you could say that all love and friendship is based in the end on that. Human beings are very insecure. When the other person not only makes you feel insecure but actually seems to want to destroy you, it's obviously the end. The Quantum of Solace stands at zero. You've got to get away to save yourself." - James Bond (QUANTUM OF SOLACE) This paperback, recently released before the debut on November 21, 2008 of the latest 007 movie of the same name, "Quantum of Solace," is actually a compilation of nine short stories written by Ian Fleming in two separate books (FOR YOUR EYES ONLY and OCTOPUSSY/THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS). According to Fleming's biographer John Pearson in his book THE LIFE OF IAN FLEMING, six or so of these short stories began as outlines for half-hour TV episodes written for CBS in the late '50s. The TV series never got off the ground but the short stories have survived. Several of them were made into full-length movies having absolutely nothing to do with the original stories (e.g. "Octopussy," "From a View to a Kill," and "For Your Eyes Only"). I can't imagine the next Bond movie, starring Daniel Craig as a much better 007 than any of the previous ones in my opinion, (Sean Connery excepted) has anything to do with the short story "Quantum of Solace," since it is only about a conversation between JB and the Governor of The Bahamas (the governor's name is never given) in Nassau after a dinner party. There's no action. No intrigue. No skullduggery. It's simply a story about a failed marriage. Suffice it to say, the short stories are well-worth reading on their own. Bond is his usual suave and deadly self and a staunch defender of Queen and Country against the West's old Cold War nemesis...the Soviet Union. Highly recommended.

I have always enjoyed the Ian Fleming James Bond short stories over his novels. They are always very interesting to say the least, and still cocked full with literary witticisms, worldly knowledge and great use of the English language. I like that they have repackaged these short stories under the title "Quantum of Solace." It's a great title and the cover artwork is also well conceived. This is very much worth adding to your library.