Death Rays, Jet Packs, Stunts, & Supercars

by Parker, Barry R.

• ISBN13: 9780801882487
• ISBN10: 0801882486
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2005-10-18
• Publisher: Johns Hopkins Univ Pr

Summary

James Bond would have died a thousand deaths if not for Q, the genius behind the pen grenades and weaponized sports cars that have helped Britain's most famous secret agent cheat death in twenty films. Here Barry Parker demonstrates how science and technology have been as important to 007 as good looks, shaken martinis, and beautiful women. Using entertaining sketches and nontechnical language, Parker explains the basic physics behind the gadgets, cars, and stunts in a number of Bond films, from the jet packs in Thunderball to the dynamics of daredevil bungee jumping in GoldenEye. If you've ever wondered whether the laser could have actually cut Bond in half ( Goldfinger), if a wristwatch could really unzip a woman's dress ( Live and Let Die), or whether your car could do the 360-degree barrel roll from The Man with the Golden Gun, this book is for you. " Top 5 Bond Stunts of All Time" Q and His "Amazing" Devices" The Bond Cars in All Their Glory" Moonraker and Bond in Space" The Walther PPK and the Ballistics of Bond" The Neptune and Battles Aquatic

Author Biography

Barry Parker is a professor emeritus of physics at Idaho State University and the author of The Isaac Newton School of Driving, also available from Johns Hopkins.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	vii
Introduction	ix
Bond for Beginners	1	(26)
Wow, What a Stunt!	27	(28)
Death Rays and Ghosts	55	(18)
How'd They Do That?: Amazing Devices	73	(25)
Bond's Gadgets and Gizmos	98	(26)
The Incredible Bond Cars	124	(16)
The Race Is On: Car Chases	140	(17)
Bond in Space	157	(23)
Nuclear Weapons and Reactors	180	(21)
Water Sports and Guns	201	(14)
Appendix	215	(8)
Bibliography	223	(2)
Index	225