James Bond would have died a thousand deaths if not for Q, the genius behind the pen grenades and weaponized sports cars that have helped Britain's most famous secret agent cheat death in twenty films. Here Barry Parker demonstrates how science and technology have been as important to 007 as good looks, shaken martinis, and beautiful women.
Using entertaining sketches and nontechnical language, Parker explains the basic physics behind the gadgets, cars, and stunts in a number of Bond films, from the jet packs in Thunderball to the dynamics of daredevil bungee jumping in GoldenEye.
If you've ever wondered whether the laser could have actually cut Bond in half ( Goldfinger), if a wristwatch could really unzip a woman's dress ( Live and Let Die), or whether your car could do the 360-degree barrel roll from The Man with the Golden Gun, this book is for you.
" Top 5 Bond Stunts of All Time" Q and His "Amazing" Devices" The Bond Cars in All Their Glory" Moonraker and Bond in Space" The Walther PPK and the Ballistics of Bond" The Neptune and Battles Aquatic
The Johns Hopkins University Press
Thorough and clearly written.
Parker has a terrific idea here—to scrutinize the science of the special effects on parade in the James Bond movies.
For anyone moderately interested in both James Bond and physics, this is an entertaining and relatively easy read.
A very enjoyable book with some very well handled physics.
— John L. Hubisz
A fun romp with a handful of equations, charts, and diagrams.
A very successful and entirely charming book that belongs in all college libraries. Highly recommended.
— Stephen Baxter
— Joanna Barstow
— Eve Lichtgarn
In an entertaining narrative, Parker explores which aspects of Ian Fleming's Bond stories are scientifically sound and which are purely fiction or movie magic.
A book that's sure to appeal to teens with an interest in gadgets, cars, stunts, trick cinematography, and sports.
Overview
James Bond would have died a thousand deaths if not for Q, the genius behind the pen grenades and weaponized sports cars that have helped Britain's most famous secret agent cheat death in twenty films. Here Barry Parker demonstrates how science and technology have been as important to 007 as good looks, shaken martinis, and beautiful women.
Using entertaining sketches and nontechnical language, Parker explains the basic physics behind the gadgets, cars, and stunts in a number of...