Status: Double O

Growing up, I was heavily influenced by toys, comics, sports, family, and movies. A significant character that has always captivated my interest in stories would have to be the fictional British secret agent, James Bond. In the early 1960’s, Ian Fleming, who worked for British naval intelligence during World War 11, introduced the world to this new hero. He was daring, courageous. The ladies loved his company. He drove fast cars through unexplainable situations, and used the most sophisticated gadgets. The birth of Agent 007 would forever change the world of espionage in writing, and make numerous superstars in Hollywood’s entertainment industry. Espionage has everyone’s attention whether it is written in an exciting story or captured on camera in a motion picture. One reason I enjoyed getting lost in the James Bond book was that espionage from Ian Fleming’s stories helped my mind escape from reality. I also wanted to read Fleming’s series of the mysterious and action-packed secret agent because they were very popular. Ian Fleming’s twelve books sold more than eighteen million copies nationwide. But most of all, James Bond was a hero I could identify with because of his tenacious attitude towards life and the will to work hard for what he wanted to accomplish in life. These traits have sparked my imagination and helped me grow into a more creative person.

I remember when I was in third grade at Hill Middle School, my grandpa gave me my first James Bond 007 book to read. The book was The Spy Who Loved Me written by Ian Fleming in 1962 and was an original from that year. The story involves U.S and Russian submarines missing which creates tension between the neighboring countries. Agent 007 teams up with one of his many Bond girls, Anya Amosava, and together they find out the hidden truths behind an extremely wealthy, powerful man by the name of Stromburg. His job is essential regarding the shipping industry, and his journey takes him from mountain top skiing, to the pyramids of Egypt and finally to the depths of the ocean where he defeats the villain Stromburg. I enjoyed imagining myself in this hero’s role, but what I remember most are the amazing gadgets which sparked my imagination during my childhood. For example, Bond had a cigarette case which converted to a microfilm viewer, a wristwatch with ticker-tape readout and of course his Lotus which transformed into a submarine.

I dreamed of using all of the sophisticated gadgets that James Bond used. Q, the British wizard of inventions, and James’ friend, influenced me to wonder about how technology would be utilized in the future. In the stories concerning Q and his relationship with Bond, Q never expected gratitude for his work, all he hoped was that his specially crafted tools be returned “in pristine order.” Throughout my childhood, I dreamed of melting objects with an ordinary pair of sunglasses or wear a watch that could spit out poisoned darts. Agent 007 had everything that ranged from his Walther PPK 7.65mm gun in Dr. No to an ordinary suitcase that concealed 40 rounds of ammunition, a throwing knife, 50 gold coins, a sniper rifle, and a talcum-powder can with a tear-gas canister that would only destruct by a magnetic sensor. Q’s inventions were always a step above the times. In Tomorrow Never Dies, his cell phone even doubled as a fingerprint scanner. Some of the more popular toys were his cars. In the early books, he drove a fully equipped Aston Martin DB5, including built-in machine guns, hubcaps with tire slashing blades and its own tracking device. During school as a youngster, I would sketch my own gadgets. I remember one that I drew when I was about ten. It was a unique shoe that released slippery oil from the heel and a flame thrower that could spread an intense stream of flame over 50 feet into the air. This is only one example of the many imaginative sketches I have completed over the years.

Besides the inventiveness of Bond’s gadgets, Mr. Fleming created the character of 007 to be the perfect gentleman. He is an agent fighting with fierce determination and honor. His personal appearance and ambition to succeed, and his success with women were all qualities I admired and have tried to emulate in my life. He had an incredible ability to think on his feet, superb fighting skills, and an unwavering commitment to any mission, however dangerous. Bond kept his mind on the task which had to be accomplished. This has made him the ultimate secret agent during the time of crisis. This series continues to interest its readers, as Bond continues to defeat a variety of evil villains. By overcoming his fears with courage, Bond brought class to action books and movies. The British spy, James Bond, as a character, provided me with an excellent role model.

James Bond is a “Licensed To Kill” action figure that most men would strive to be like, especially since he gets all the ladies he has ever wanted, drives amazing cars, uses secret weapons that the mind can only imagine and explores all over the world and identifies with other cultures. James Bond was exciting for me to try to emulate as a young boy, but when I matured, I realized that I could only admire him and could not practically pursue my fantasy of the glamorous spy. Nevertheless, it gave me great pleasure to read a few of Mr. Fleming’s works for they continue to spark my imagination and helped me to become a more creative person. Thank you so much Mr. Fleming.