40th Anniversary of The James Bond Bedside Companion by Raymond Benson

[@DamnFoolIdealisticCrusader]

Ebook version: amzn.to/3NEJwM6 www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-james-bond-bedside-companion-raymond-benson/1000253260 www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-james-bond-bedside-companion-2

[@RaymondBenson]

Thank you so much. You are very kind to this 1980s relic. I appreciate your enthusiasm. One nitpick... the book was first published in 1984, not 1983. The research and writing all took place between 1981 - 1984. That said, the various editions are: a) Original 1st edition with maroon cover, published by Dodd Mead & Co. in the U.S. only, in 1984, both in softcover and hardcover with jacket. b) A second "printing" in hardcover of the 1984 text with a purple cover (Galahad books, 1986, U.S. only). c) The Updated Edition in 1988 (silver cover) from Dodd Mead & Co. (softcover only) in the U.S., but also first time published in the U.K. in both softcover and hardcover with jacket by Boxtree (photographic illustrative cover by Graham Rye). d) A crazy 2001 softcover reprint in 2001 (the bright blue cover) from Publishing Online (U.S. only) that I disown. This edition was made by scanning a 1988 book, and the scans made a lot of the text come out with typos and weird words like "bums" for "burns"! (haha). Avoid this edition at all costs. e) The 2012 ebook edition, which is the 1988 text. Many people ask why I don't update it. The answer is simply because it wouldn't be ethical to do so since I've now been on the other side of the line as an official Bond author. I can't very well critique other authors' works, my own work, or even the films. So the Bedside Companion will always remain a 1980s relic. Thanks again.

[@user-ChicagoJoe19]

Thank you Mr Benson for your much valued contribution to the James Bond world. I own the 1988 updated version of The Companion, and even today occasionally consult it. Thanks for the logical explanation why you never updated it. Living in Chicago, I've enjoyed your appearances in past years on local television especially with Larry Potash on WGN. I always appreciated your advice to Bond fans about not believing anything on the internet about the next Bond actor or film until an official EON announcement. Thanks again Mr Benson!

[@charlesmaesschalck3890]

I have the 1988 boxtree reissue with the Graham Rye cover. Had it since I was a young boy. Fantastic book and you should be proud of your contribution to 007 history.

[@jonrobinson6851]

I have fond memories of reading your novels during my formative teenage years in the late 90s-early 00s. Some of them would make great films.

[@DamnFoolIdealisticCrusader]

@@RaymondBenson thank you for commenting!!! The book still holds up perfectly all these years later. It was only after I published the video that I realized I had said 1983 instead of 1984.🤦🏻‍♂️ Thanks for the extra notes about the publishing order. I had always wondered when each of the differently colored covers had come out. I pretty much ignored the 2001 version after seeing some of your comments on its presentation of the text.

[@jasonwhiton174]

I just re-read it via the e-book to celebrate the anniversary. I had multiple copies in the 80s and it was such an important work. Like others, I practically carried it around and it was my guide to diving deeper into Fleming and Bond. My first re-read since way back and love it still! -Jason (Spy Vibe)

[@charlesmaesschalck3890]

I have the uk boxtree 1988 reissue. Totally agree it’s a fabulous book.

[@krisjs1767]

Thank you!

[@PaperlessWriter]

LOL, Flemming did love wearing shorts, didn't he? Thanks for another great video:)

[@user-ChicagoJoe19]

I'm an older Bond fan (65) and have the updated gray version of the Benson book. There were certain books like the Rubin book and John Brosnan's James Bond In The Cinema, among many others, that were a must have in a fan's Bond reference library. I always appreciated how Benson took his cue from Kingsley Amis' The James Bond Dossier for the "flow" charts on the novels & films. I hope Mr Benson might consider doing a definitive update to include the current continuation novels & the now 25 (27) films. Thanks for the excellent review. It was a pleasant trip down memory lane.

[@portland-182]

The book was also reprinted in 2001, not sure if it has any differences from the 1988 version...

[@RaymondBenson]

See my comments above on the 2001 edition, which I disown.

[@portland-182]

@@RaymondBenson Sorry for bringing it up then! Thanks for engaging with the fans, and the channel!

[@RaymondBenson]

@@portland-182 No problem, just setting the record straight. LOTS of people own that edition!

[@DamnFoolIdealisticCrusader]

@@portland-182 I had remembered it was a flawed printing edition so usually I ignore it.

[@mac1701e]

Would you consider writing Bond again?

[@krisjs1767]

Now I’m going to have to get these laserdiscs: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rYO8aqWalKuEj8Usi=hCRncuPBfq9LquPq

[@DamnFoolIdealisticCrusader]

@@krisjs1767 it took me ages to get all three Criterion SEs at a good price but they are indeed treasures for MANY reasons.

[@TroyUlysses]

Paging @RaymondBenson 🚫🚫🔫