The Science of James Bond From Bullets to Bowler Hats to Boat Jumps, the Real Technology Behind 007's Fabulous Films

by Gresh, Lois H.; Weinberg, Robert

• ISBN13: 9780471661955
• ISBN10: 0471661953
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-08-25
• Publisher: Wiley

Summary

The science behind the gadgets, exploits, and enemies of the world's greatest spy From the sleek Aston Martin that spits out bullets, nails, and passengers at the push of a button to the microjet that makes hairpin turns to avoid a heat-seeking missile, the science and technology of James Bond films have kept millions of movie fans guessing for decades. Are these amazing feats and gadgets truly possible? The Science of James Bond takes you on a fascinating excursion through the true science that underlies Bond's most fantastic and off-the-wall accoutrements. The acclaimed science-fiction authors Lois Gresh and Robert Weinberg provide a highly entertaining, informative look at the real-world achievements and brilliant imaginations behind such singular Bond gadgets as the buzz-saw Rolex, the car that turns into a submarine, and the ever-popular rocket-firing cigarette. They examine hundreds of Q Division's ingenious inventions; analyze Bond's astonishing battles beneath the earth and sea, in the skies, and even in outer space; and ask intriguing questions that lead to enlightening discussions about the limits of science, the laws of nature, and the future of technology. Filled with entertaining anecdotes from Bond movie shoots and supplemented with "tech" ratings for all of the Bond movies, The Science of James Bond separates scientific fact from film fantasy--with some very surprising results.

Author Biography

LOIS H. GRESH is the author of seventeen books, including four novels. She has written dozens of suspense and science-fiction stories and has been nominated for national fiction awards six times. Gresh and Robert Weinberg have coauthored several books, including The Science of Superheroes and The Science of Supervillains, both from Wiley.

ROBERT WEINBERG is the author of sixteen novels and seventeen nonfiction books. He also scripted comic books for DC, Marvel, and Moonstone Publishers. Weinberg is the only World Fantasy Award–winning author who has served as the grand marshal of a rodeo parade.

Table of Contents

Foreword	ix
Raymond Benson
Introduction Bond	1	(2)
James Bond
Uncovering the Origins of Mr. Bond: Spies and Science	3	(14)
Sending Secret Messages: Superspy Decoder Rings	17	(10)
Building a Bond Car: Flying, Underwater, and Missile-Launching Aston Martins	27	(16)
Arming Yourself (and Other Explosive Ideas)	43	(12)
Stopping Nuclear War	55	(14)
Using Your Senses: Assorted Body Equipment	69	(12)
Getting Away from It All: In the Air and on the Sea	81	(16)
Getting Farther Away from It All: Outer-Space Shenanigans	97	(20)
Defeating Supervillains	117	(12)
Nullifying the Threat of Superweapons	129	(22)
Combating Germ Warfare (and Other Nasty Matters)	151	(8)
Possible or Impossible?	159	(10)
Some Thoughts about Secret Bases	169	(8)
Famous Last Lines	177	(4)
Appendix A The Bond Books	181	(4)
Appendix B The 00 Secret Agents	185	(4)
Appendix C The Bond Cars	189	(4)
Appendix D The Science of Martinis	193	(4)
Notes	197	(6)
Index	203