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James Bond (Original Series) #3

Moonraker

ian fleming anthony burgess

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‘For several minutes he stood speechless, his eyes dazzled by the terrible beauty of the greatest weapon on earth’

He’s a self-made millionaire, head of the Moonraker rocket programme and loved by the press. So why is Sir Hugo Drax cheating at cards? Bond has just five days to uncover the sinister truth behind a national hero, in Ian Fleming’s third 007 adventure.

190 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1,1955
Series
James Bond (Original Series)
Places
london england, dover kent england, 

This edition

Format
190 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published
January 1, 1989 by Coronet
ISBN
9780340425664
ASIN
0340425660
Language
English
Characters More characters
  • James Bond

    James Bond

    James Bond is a British intelligence officer in the Secret Intelligence Service, commonly known as MI6. Bond is also known by his code number, 007, and is a Royal Naval Reserve Commander.https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/James...more...

  • M

    M

    M is the head of the British Secret Service which is an adjunct to the defence ministries. Bond and all 00s report to him....

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About the author

Profile Image for ian fleming

ian fleming

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Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Ian Lancaster Fleming was an English writer, best known for his postwar James Bond series of spy novels. Fleming came from a wealthy family connected to the merchant bank Robert Fleming & Co., and his father was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Henley from 1910 until his death on the Western Front in 1917. Educated at Eton, Sandhurst, and, briefly, the universities of Munich and Geneva, Fleming moved through several jobs before he started writing.
While working for Britain's Naval Intelligence Division during the Second World War, Fleming was involved in planning Operation Goldeneye and in the planning and oversight of two intelligence units: 30 Assault Unit and T-Force. He drew from his wartime service and his career as a journalist for much of the background, detail, and depth of his James Bond novels.
Fleming wrote his first Bond novel, Casino Royale, in 1952, at age 44. It was a success, and three print runs were commissioned to meet the demand. Eleven Bond novels and two collections of short stories followed between 1953 and 1966. The novels centre around James Bond, an officer in the Secret Intelligence Service, commonly known as MI6. Bond is also known by his code number, 007, and was a commander in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. The Bond stories rank among the best-selling series of fictional books of all time, having sold over 100 million copies worldwide. Fleming also wrote the children's story Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang and two works of non-fiction. In 2008, The Times ranked Fleming 14th on its list of "The 50 greatest British writers since 1945".
Fleming was married to Ann Fleming. She had divorced her husband, the 2nd Viscount Rothermere, because of her affair with the author. Fleming and Ann had a son, Caspar. Fleming was a heavy smoker and drinker for most of his life and succumbed to heart disease in 1964 at the age of 56. Two of his James Bond books were published posthumously; other writers have since produced Bond novels. Fleming's creation has appeared in film twenty-seven times, portrayed by six actors in the official film series.

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Community Reviews

Rating(4 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
33(33%)
4 stars
31(31%)
3 stars
36(36%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
100 reviews All reviews
Profile Image for Kimberly .
Lord_Odous
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
April 17,2025
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Exciting!

I think Ian Fleming finally got it right with number three in the James Bond series! I have almost no complaints about this novel as I have about the first two books in the series. After having read the first three novels in the Bond series in order, I believe modern readers maybe should read 'Moonraker' before 'Casino Royale' or 'Live and Let Die'. We all know Bond's backstory, and 'Moonraker' can be read as a standalone. It isn't, like, Great Literature, but it is fun, and James is more like the actors in the movies.

The book's plot is based on 1950's technology and post-World War II worries, but even so, 'Moonraker' is a solid three stars.
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JoshuaNoctis
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
April 17,2025
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I love this series!!!
Gets better and better...

It's my third James Bond novel.
And also, by the way a huge success at publication.

After having watched the film, let me say to you that the book is the real dope and not the movie!!!
No spoiler intended, so read it yourself...

But this one thing I want to say, Bond fighting a Nazi conspiracy is an instant classic!!!

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unablegoblin
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
April 17,2025
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Sir Hugo Drax has been supervising a bunch of German scientists who are building England’s first intercontinental ballistic missile. Drax has become something of a national hero and the first test is imminent. The problem is that Drax is suspected of cheating at cards at the elite gambling club he belongs to. Bond is brought in to tactfully expose the cheating and quietly get it to stop before scandal taints Drax and his project. So, the first third of the book ends up being about Bond figuring out how Drax cheats and then turning the tables on him.

On the same night as Bond is working to prevent a scandal, one of Drax’s German employees shoots the head of security for the Moonraker project then shoots himself. The coincidental timing is enough for higher echelons in the British government to decide Bond should lend a hand to the investigation. It was all a good thrill ride of a novel.
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Starandeath
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
April 17,2025
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Bond, cards, drugs, bombs, girls, etc. Back on track again, this novel is more of a return to form.
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XxShortybratxX
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
April 17,2025
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I finished reading 'Moonraker' close to midnight last night. Loved it! Drax is as bad as can be, Gala Brand is tough and gorgeous and 007 is, well, the invincible "Bond, James Bond." This one has a bit of a slow start with a high-stakes game of bridge, but then the action picks up and blasts off just like the rocket, Moonraker. So if you're a James Bond fan, this is a must read.
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RaccBoi
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
April 17,2025
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A very fitting read after watching Oppenheimer. I give three stars since there was no point in the plot where I was hooked and fascinated. Maybe I am burnt out on James Bond for the moment???? Still enjoyed though.
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KaitharVideo
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
April 17,2025
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The best Bond I’ve read so far. It’s best to think of it as two books, with the exciting book getting started about page 75. The first book is mainly for lovers of bridge and snobbery. But book two is a real adventure, with a refreshingly vulnerable Bond and a surprisingly capable female lead. Of course she’s hot, but even Bond realizes that’s not all she is. Plus, the villain is despicable, the world is saved, and this book has nothing to do with the movie. Good fun.
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moonstarfireclan
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
April 17,2025
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(A-) 84% | Very Good
Notes: James Bond, dispirited office worker, awaits assignment and considers the empty, material life his profession affords.
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