He just wanted a decent book to read... So goes the story of Sir Allen Lane (1902-1970), the founder of Penguin Books. Not too much to ask, was it? It was in 1935 when Lane stood on a British railway platform looking for something good to read on his journey. His choice was limited to popular magazines and poor quality paperbacks. Lane's disappointment and subsequent anger at the range of books available led him to found a company - and change the world.

Popular Penguin is a collection of classic novels with a common jacket design, honouring the style of the first paperbacks Penguin ever produced. Its second wave of 50 titles will include "Casino Royale" - the first time 007 has been included in the series.

Blurb
Bond is sent to a casino in Royal-les-Eaux to disgrace the lethal Russian agent 'Le Chiffre' by ruining him at baccarat and forcing his Soviet spymasters to 'retire' him, but he soon finds that his quarry is not content to go without a fight. Preferring to work alone, 007 is annoyed to be assigned a female assistant, but his compelling attraction to the enigmatic Vesper Lynd only leads him into further danger

Above: Popular Penguin cover art