Unveiling 'Talk of the Devil': Ian Fleming's Lesser-Known Writings

TALK OF THE DEVIL 

The Collected Writings of Ian Fleming 

by Ian Fleming 

William Morrow, 2025 

★★★★★ 

A fascinating collection of rarely seen journalism and other writings by Ian Fleming, author of the James Bond series. 

Ian Fleming was best known for bringing to life the legendary character of James Bond, one of the most beloved and enduring icons of our time, but he was perhaps even more interesting than his creation. His career in Naval Intelligence and extensive travels around the world gave Fleming a keen eye and the authority to write on a wide range of topics beyond Bond’s adventures.

This collection contains a selection of journalism and other writings by Fleming, covering his wartime experiences, reflections on crime and espionage, and the process of writing his novels, among other topics. Readers will feel like they are right beside Fleming, immersed in his world as he works to meet the deadline for his next Bond novel, or participates in a mortifying golf tournament, or befriends an octopus in his beloved Jamaica. A black-and-white photo insert gives dimension to the man behind the myth, bringing life to his words and providing a unique glimpse into Fleming’s world.

Ian Fleming (1908-1964) stands out as one of the literary greats, best known as the creator and original author of the iconic 007 James Bond spy thrillers. These stories received Hollywood adaptations, some loosely, into twenty-seven blockbuster films to date, including 1967's Casino Royale and 1983's Never Say Never Again. While modern readers might label his writing as outdated, I see Fleming as a poetic author and a master of the spy genre. His 007 novels, published in the 1950s, reflect the attitudes of their time—yes, Bond can come off as a bit sexist or racist—but the gripping plots, thrilling action, and compelling villains remain captivating even today. 

William Morrow has recently released Talk of the Devil: The Collected Writings of Ian Fleming, featuring an introduction by Adam Gopnik that some might find overly elaborate. A limited edition of Talk of the Devil was previously published in 2008 by Queen Anne Press and has since sold out. This new edition showcases Ian Fleming's journalism and other non-fiction works, including his 1941 memo to Colonel ‘Wild Bill’ Donovan regarding the creation of the Office of Strategic Services. There are two short stories: A Poor Man Escapes and The Shameful Dream, as well as several black-and-white photos of Fleming himself. 

To appreciate Talk of the Devil, you have to be a fan of Ian Fleming. The collection has expertly crafted short stories, articles, and essays. As a fellow 007 enthusiast, I particularly enjoy The Guns of James Bond, published in Sports Illustrated in March 1962 as 'James Bond's Hardware,' Bang Bang, Kiss Kiss: How I Came to Write Casino Royale, written in 1956, and Raymond Chandler, which recounts Fleming's friendship with the esteemed author, published in the London Magazine in December 1959. 

In conclusion, Talk of the Devil offers an intriguing glimpse into Ian Fleming's writings that many readers may not have encountered before. I highly recommend it to fellow Fleming fans and all those who love the adventures of James Bond.

⁓B.J. Burgess

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