Ian Fleming (1908-1964) always wanted to be a writer. Not an “author,” as he put it, and not someone in the “Shakespeare stakes,” but someone who wrote for money and pleasure. In developing his enduring character James Bond, he managed to accomplish both. In this episode, Jacke takes a look at the life and career of the most famous spy novelist in history. PLUS we look at an American spy novel, Sam Greenlee’s The Spook Who Sat by the Door, which was poised for success – until some terrified authorities shut it down.

Additional listening ideas:

• Like genre fiction? Try our episode on classic crime novels with Hard Case Crime editor Charles Ardai.
• Really like genre fiction? We talked about reviving (and revising) Westerns with Anna North.
• Fan of twentieth-century British novelists? Maybe try our episode on Roald Dahl or our look at Graham Greene’s The End of the Affair with Laura Marsh.

Help support the show at patreon.com/literature or historyofliterature.com/shop. The History of Literature Podcast is a member of Lit Hub Radio and the Podglomerate Network. Learn more at www.thepodglomerate.com/historyofliterature.