The Bond Files Volume 1 is a compilation of Ian Flemming's first 3 Bond novel (Casino Royale, Moonraker, and Live and Let Die). If you've never read anything from Fleming, this could be a good introduction into the world of James Bond. However, I would caution any readers new to Flemmings books that this James Bond is nothing like what you see in the movies. This James Bond doesn't have any of the gadgets and very little of over-the-top heroism and certainly none of the womanizing. If anything, this Bond seems to resent females as only getting in the way of serious operations.

Flemming is a decent storyteller, but you can tell that he was just getting his sea-legs, so to speak, with Casino Royale. It's not all that interesting of a book, and the "twist" at the end isn't very surprising. However, Flemming does manage to find his pace rather quickly. Both Moonraker and Live and Let Die are enjoyable reads, even if the plots aren't any more inventive. If you're a diehard Bond fan, you could read Casino Royale right off the bat--but if you're new to Flemming's works, it might be best to start with one of the later books and dobule back to the first installment once you've made up your mind whether you like the other novels enough. ( )