Ian Fleming and James Bond: The Cultural Politics of 007

by Edward P. Dallis-Comentale (Editor), Stephen Watt (Editor), Skip Willman (Editor), Alexis Albion (Contribution by), Dennis W. Allen (Contribution by)

Overview

"This is a compelling and important book . . . [that] makes a significant contribution not only to studies of Bond and Ian Fleming but also to studies of popular culture in general." —Michael Bérubé

The Cold War agent of pulp fiction and the hero of more than a dozen movies, James Bond, also known as 007, is one of pop culture's most recognizable icons. Doubtless better known from film than from Ian Fleming's novels, the character has become a lightning rod for criticism from all camps. And yet somehow his popularity remains intact.

But who is James Bond? Ian Fleming and James Bond: The Cultural Politics of 007 is an entertaining and revealing examination of the many facets of Bond. Before Bond became a cinematic icon, he was the protagonist of a series of thrillers that appeared during the time of Britain's decline as a major power and the heating up of the Cold War. Fleming's character gave expression to biases and anxieties that continue to shape our political worldview in ways both obvious and covert.

Fifteen spirited and engaging essays—all new to this volume—cover topics including Bond's Britishness, James Bond and JFK, homosexual panic and lesbian Bond-age, the James Bond lifestyle, and Bond's brands.

The contributors are Alexis Albion, Dennis W. Allen, James Chapman, Edward P. Comentale, Vivian Halloran, Jaime Hovey, Aaron Jaffe, Christoph Lindner, Andrew Lycett, Patrick O'Donnell, Craig N. Owens, Brian Patton, Judith Roof, Stephen Watt, and Skip Willman.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780253217431
Publisher:	Indiana University Press
Publication date:	04/20/2005
Pages:	312
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.25(h) x (d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Edward P. Comentale, Assistant Professor of English at Indiana University, is author of Masses in Relation: Art and Politics in Avant-garde England, 1909–1915. He lives in Bloomington, Indiana.

Stephen Watt is Professor of English and Cultural Studies at Indiana University, and author of Postmodern/Drama: Reading the Contemporary Stage and Joyce, O'Casey, and the Irish Popular Theater. He lives in Bloomington, Indiana.

Skip Willman is Assistant Professor of English at the University of South Dakota. He lives in Vermillion, South Dakota.

Table of Contents

Foreword
Introduction
Abbreviations
I. The Subject Is Bond
1. Fleming's Company Man: James Bond and the Management of ModernismEdward P. Comentale
2. "Alimentary, Dr. Leiter": Anal Anxiety in Diamonds Are ForeverDennis W. Allen
3. Lesbian Bondage, or Why Dykes Like 007Jaime Hovey
4. James Bond: Cyborg-AristocratPatrick O'Donnell
II. Ian Fleming and Style
5. Living the James Bond LifestyleJudith Roof
6. James Bond, Meta-BrandAaron Jaffe
7. The Bond MarketCraig N. Owens
III. Ian Fleming and the Global Imaginary
8. Bond and BritishnessJames Chapman
9. Shoot Back in Anger: Bond and the "Angry Young Man"Brian Patton
10. Tropical BondVivian Halloran
11. The Kennedys, Fleming, and Cuba: Bond's Foreign PolicySkip Willman
12. Wanting to Be James BondAlexis Albion
IV. Structures of Feeling
13. Why Size MattersChristoph Lindner
14. 007 and 9/11, Specters and Structures of Feeling Stephen Watt
Acknowledgments
Works Cited
Contributors
Index

Editorial Reviews

"[O]ffers some searching reflections on aspects of the Bond phenomenon.2.2"—Journal of British Cinema and Television

"[A]n entertaining and revealing examination of the many facets of Bond."—Artistic License Renewed

"[A]. . . strong collection . . . lends itself to the pleasure of unexpected insights . . .convincing . . . brilliant leadoff . . . does full justice to Fleming's literary contribution . . . Volume 54, Number 4, Winter 2008"—Andrew Hoberek, Project MUSE (MFS Modern Fiction Studies)

From the Publisher

[A]n entertaining and revealing examination of the many facets of Bond.

Artistic License Renewed

[O]ffers some searching reflections on aspects of the Bond phenomenon.2.2

Journal of British Cinema and Television

[A]. . . strong collection . . . lends itself to the pleasure of unexpected insights . . .convincing . . . brilliant leadoff . . . does full justice to Fleming's literary contribution . . . Volume 54, Number 4, Winter 2008

Project MUSE (MFS Modern Fiction Studies) - Andrew Hoberek

"[A]... strong collection... lends itself to the pleasure of unexpected insights...convincing... brilliant leadoff... does full justice to Fleming’s literary contribution..." —Andrew Hoberek, Project MUSE (MFS Modern Fiction Studies), Volume 54, Number 4, Winter 2008

— Andrew Hoberek

Project MUSE (MFS Modern Fiction Studies)