American Rivals Of James Bond

When the James Bond movie Dr. No, hit movie theaters in the United States in 1962, it was an instant hit. 

Add that to the fact that Ian Fleming’s James Bond novels were President John Kennedy’s favorite series of books and James Bond’s popularity skyrocketed.

It seemed like James Bond was everywhere: toys, liquors, fashion, watches, cologne’s-every imaginable type of merchandise.

Never one to let a fad go to waste, American TV and film makers-along with manufacturers, jumped on the ‘spy’ phenomenon and produced a variety of products.

Besides popularizing some British imports such as The Saint, The Champions, Secret Agent Man and especially The Avengers, American film and TV included such properties as:

• I, Spy
• The Man From U.N.C.L.E.
• Mission; Impossible
• Blue Light
• Get Smart
• The Wild, Wild West and many more

America spy films included:

• Matt Helm
• Nick Carter
• Our Man Flint and others.

At the time The United States and The Soviet Union were engaged in a Cold War. Nuclear annihilation was a real possibility. Spying was rampant from both sides.

Author Graham Andrews’ new book: American Rivals Of James Bond, published by McFarland & Company, Inc, Publishers, examines in great detail the United States spy phenomenon of the 1960s.

The book delves into the history of the spy genre long before the 1960s surge in popularity and looks at the creators and minds behind the espionage thrillers.

The author also provides a bit of a history lesson on real spy escapades over the centuries, pulp and magazine adventures pre-1960, a look at the lives of both Ian Fleming and James Bond and so much more.

I’m huge fan of spy TV shows and movies, books, merchandise, etc.

I found the book to be fascinating, jam-packed with interesting facts and tidbits and an enjoyable read.

There’s so much information included, painstakingly researched and presented in a fun to read format.

So much of the 1960s spy craze I remember fondly and it’s was fun reading all the insider information and behind-the-scenes events about popular America spy TV shows and movies.

"When I fall, I will arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me." — Micah 7:8