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Today's episode looks at how the future US president, John F. Kennedy, a 007 fan, and Fleming, bonded over dinner, ‘The rapport was instantaneous,’ ‘Jack was mesmerised by Ian.' JFK paid attention when Fleming answered his questions about the Castro problem. Also, this episodes touches on British Prime Minister Anthony Eden’s ill-conceived stay at Goldeneye at the height of the Suez crisis, and the subsequent effect on sales for Fleming's thrillers.
Alex Jennings reads.

Abridger - Rowan Routh
Producer - Pauline Harris

Ian Fleming's greatest creation, James Bond, has had an enormous and ongoing impact on our culture, but Fleming was only a thriller writer in his last twelve years. Fleming's personal life and impressive career in Naval Intelligence put him at the heart of critical movements in world history, whilst providing rich inspiration for his fiction. Exceptionally well connected, and widely travelled, from the US and Soviet Russia to his beloved Jamaica, Ian had access to the most powerful political figures at a time of profound change. Nicholas Shakespeare's fascinating biography, with unprecedented access to the Fleming family papers, uncovers new material and throws new light on an extraordinary man. Ian Fleming would strive all his life to throw off the shadows of his gifted older brother, and be a complete man, but ultimately was then overshadowed by his own famous creation.