Books by Ian and Peter Fleming, and Comments on Sadiq Khan

As I mentioned in my Christmas blog post, I bought a boxed set of all the James Bond books and also a biography of author Ian Fleming by Nicholas Shakespeare. I have now finished reading all of them, which is no mean feat as the latter book alone is over 800 pages long.

I can recommend all the books. The biography is interesting in many ways for anyone who lived through the 1950s and 60s. Ian Fleming was active in naval intelligence during the second world war (as Commander Fleming R.N.V.R.) and had a big hand in the development of both the UK’s and USA’s intelligence services after the war.

Ian was a charismatic character who attracted many admirers. But he smoked 70 cigarettes per day and drank heavily also. This no doubt contributed to his early death from heart disease. His family life was a mess and anyone who thinks their family is less than perfect should read his biography. James Bond was his alter ego in many ways. Hard drinking, fast driving and with numerous love affairs.

Peter Fleming was his brother and wrote several popular travel books which are more dated when the Bond books have kept their topicality – particularly of late as we are back in a war with Russia. I am reading One’s Company at present which is a report on a train journey to China in 1933 through Russia and Manchuria. It’s a light read.

I find it necessary to comment on the latest political disruption. Lee Anderson M.P. has had the Conservative whip withdrawn after he criticised Sadiq Khan for supporting Islamists. In reality Khan as head of the Metropolitan Police has allowed Palestinian slogans to be projected onto Parliament and the closure of Tower Bridge by demonstrators. Neither should have been permitted. Sadiq Khan should resign, not Lee Anderson.  

We should not allow religious factions to take over London, whatever their complexion. There should be no place for religion in politics. Sadiq Khan has been expert at turning populist issues with Muslim support into political capital. I hope people will vote him out of office in May. Hamas is a vile terrorist organisation and the actions of Israel have been justified.

Roger Lawson (Twitter: https://twitter.com/RogerWLawson  )

You can “follow” this blog by entering your email address in the box below.  You will then receive an email alerting you to new posts as they are added.