Review: Agent 17F, of His Majesty's Secret Service
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 8, 2013
Hitler's armies are invading France. The British are bracing for war. There is a prize at stake - the French Fleet, the fourth largest naval power in the world. If the Germans get to it first, they would be in a position to threaten the British dominance at sea. Admiral Darlan, the commander of the French Fleet, is holding out for the best offer. No matter who it comes from.From our modern point of view, it seems like a done deal that the French should have taken the British side in the conflict - weren't they allies in WWII? In reality, the things were much more complicated. From the position of the French, both the Germans and the British were potential enemies, long-standing rivals; surrendering the Fleet to either of them would have been unacceptable. To top it off, Admiral Darlan has his own dreams of the world domination, with France and, more importantly, himself at the top of the food-chain. If only he'd play his cards right...Young Ian Fleming, agent "17F" of the British Naval Intelligence, would have none of that. He discovers the hidden location of the French Fleet and is consequentially dispatched by the British government to make an offer to Admiral Darlan. Armed with a few spy gadgets, a reliable, if new to him M1911, and a sizable sum of money to be used as a bribe, he and a supporting wireless operator are to be parachuted to the Pyrenees in a precision drop. Yet nothing ever goes smoothly in the spy business...In the best James Bond tradition the story has double-crosses, beautiful women, chases, escapes, villains, fights to the death, exotic locations, you name it. Lots of attention is given to the smallest of details, just like in the Bond books. The weapons, the cars, the gadgets, even the clothes are described to create that atmospheric feeling that James Bond books and movies always deliver.In the beginning, the author stipulates: "There have been much speculation as to who was the inspiration for Commander Bond and it is my hope that `The Ian Fleming Files' books will put an end to this debate." I think this book makes a very convincing argument in answering this question.This is an engaging read from start to finish, well researched, and fast-paced.Recommended.