Orion Publishing have announced a special John Gardner box set comprising his first five James Bond novel in hardback with their original jackets...

John Gardner Box-Set Announced

12th June 2011

Press Release - Orion Books
Swordfish, the new imprint from The Orion Publishing Group, is celebrating the 30th anniversary of John Gardner’s first James Bond novel with the publication of his first five Bond titles in a highly collectable hardback edition. Featuring the original cover art, the first three titles - Licence Renewed, For Special Services and Icebreaker - will all be published in a distinctive new livery on 23 June 2011 (hardback, £16.99 each/eBook at £8.99). Nobody Lives For Ever and Role Of Honour will follow suit on 7 July 2011 (hardback, £16.99 each/eBook at £8.99). All of John Gardner’s Bond novels will be released in paperback in 2012.

John Gardner served with the Fleet Air Arm and Royal Marines before embarking on a long career as a thriller writer, and in 1981, almost 20 years after Ian Fleming’s death, he was asked to revive Agent 007. Between then and 1996 Gardner wrote fourteen Bond novels and the novelisations of two Bond films. In Gardner’s novels, James Bond and his traditional Fleming allies continue their adventures in the 1980s, with all the latest technology and weaponry.

Rowland White, Non-fiction Publishing Director and Publisher of Swordfish, says: “As I grew up in the 1980s, John Gardner’s Bond was, to a large extent, my Bond. I missed out on the chance to anticipate the publication of a new Bond from Ian Fleming. Instead I looked forward to my next fix of 007 from the hand of John Gardner. It’s a huge pleasure and privilege to now have the opportunity to publish new editions of these classic thrillers on the Swordfish list.”

Corinne Turner, Managing Director of Ian Fleming Publications Ltd said “We are delighted that the 30th anniversary of the first Gardner Bond novel is being celebrated with such a lovely edition. I can’t imagine a more fitting tribute to one of our longest serving and most dedicated Bond authors.”

Simon Gardner, the author's son, said "My father, John Edmund Gardner, was extremely proud to have been asked to take on the role of Bond continuation novelist, and if he were alive today he would be overjoyed to see his Bond novels back in print for a new generation of fans to enjoy. On behalf of the family, I would like to say how pleased we all are that The Orion Publishing Group are re-printing these first five novels, complete with their original jackets. It is very exciting that these will be released under Orion's new imprint, Swordfish. We all find it hard to believe it is the 30th anniversary of the publication of Licence Renewed."

John Gardner - MI6 Book Store

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