Ian Fleming

The Complete Man

By: Nicholas Shakespeare

Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble

A fresh portrait of the man behind James Bond, and his enduring impact, by an award-winning biographer with unprecedented access to the Fleming family papers.

Ian Fleming's greatest creation, James Bond, has had an enormous and ongoing impact on our culture. What Bond represents about ideas of masculinity, the British national psyche and global politics has shifted over time, as has the interpretation of the life of his author. But Fleming himself was more mysterious and subtle than anything he wrote.

Ian's childhood with his gifted brother Peter and his extraordinary mother set the pattern for his ambition to be “the complete man,” and he would strive for the means to achieve this “completeness” all his life. Only a thriller writer for his last twelve years, his dramatic personal life and impressive career in Naval Intelligence put him at the heart of critical moments in world history, while also providing rich inspiration for his fiction. Exceptionally well connected, and widely travelled, from the United States and Soviet Russia to his beloved Jamaica, Ian had access to the most powerful political figures at a time of profound change.

Nicholas Shakespeare is one of the most gifted biographers working today. His talent for uncovering material that casts new light on his subjects is fully evident in this masterful, definitive biography. His unprecedented access to the Fleming archive and his nose for a story make this a fresh and eye-opening picture of the man and his famous creation.

©2024 Nicholas Shakespeare (P)2024 HarperCollins Publishers

Shaken not stirred

In depth narration of the life of an man I knew so little about and found intriguing. I think it was a little long but I was never bored listening

James Bond’s dad.

Loved the book. Ian Fleming was a master craftsman. But he was definitely tortured. Bless him for giving us the opportunity to experience his life through his fictional character James Bond. 007 lives.

A biography worthy of the creator of James Bond

This is a fantastic, at times thrilling, and ultimately heartbreaking, capturing the remarkable and at times sad, life of Ian Fleming. Although at times it gets a little deep in the woods in providing details about somewhat peripheral characters in Fleming’s life, the details provide a richness to the book. It is a wonderful book

Flemming really was a War Winner

I was amazed at how deeply Ian Flemming’s involvement was with establishing the British secret service and even his involvement with the CIA. It all makes the business of his books seem rather trifling.
The end was a tragedy

The COMPLETE 007!

A totally engrossing, comprehensive and entertaining treatment of most things James Bond - including Ian Fleming, his creator's, almost unbelievable yet factual real-world British Commando exploits during the Second World War.

Narration is wonderful

Very detailed Biography from birth to death with alot of 007 in between. Enjoyed it. ‘Rum collins Mr. Bond’?

A bit too detailed.

Everything you always wanted to know about Ian Fleming which is sometimes more than you would care to know.

A better than expected review of life.

I was fascinated to hear the amount of history and connection Ian Fleming represented. Highly recommend this. If you are on the fence and like 007, this is for you.

Amazing life story.

Loved the narrator. Great accents, timing. Really clear voice. Super well written. Loved it from start to finish.

Amazing life!

The self-destructive nature is sad to hear but it gives some great insights into his life and actions.