Back to Results
Cover image of Death Rays, Jet Packs, Stunts, and Supercars
Cover image of Death Rays, Jet Packs, Stunts, and Supercars
Share this Title:

Death Rays, Jet Packs, Stunts, and Supercars

The Fantastic Physics of Film's Most Celebrated Secret Agent

Barry Parker

Publication Date
Binding Type

The physics behind Bond, James Bond.

James Bond would have died a thousand deaths if not for Q, the genius behind the pen grenades and weaponized sports cars that have helped Britain's most famous secret agent cheat death in twenty films. Here Barry Parker demonstrates how science and technology have been as important to 007 as good looks, shaken martinis, and beautiful women.

Using entertaining sketches and nontechnical language, Parker explains the basic physics behind the gadgets, cars, and stunts in a number of Bond films, from the jet packs in Thunderball to the dynamics of daredevil...

The physics behind Bond, James Bond.

James Bond would have died a thousand deaths if not for Q, the genius behind the pen grenades and weaponized sports cars that have helped Britain's most famous secret agent cheat death in twenty films. Here Barry Parker demonstrates how science and technology have been as important to 007 as good looks, shaken martinis, and beautiful women.

Using entertaining sketches and nontechnical language, Parker explains the basic physics behind the gadgets, cars, and stunts in a number of Bond films, from the jet packs in Thunderball to the dynamics of daredevil bungee jumping in GoldenEye.

If you've ever wondered whether the laser could have actually cut Bond in half (Goldfinger), if a wristwatch could really unzip a woman's dress (Live and Let Die), or whether your car could do the 360-degree barrel roll from The Man with the Golden Gun, this book is for you.

Top 5 Bond Stunts of All Time
Q and His "Amazing" Devices
The Bond Cars in All Their Glory
Moonraker and Bond in Space
The Walther PPK and the Ballistics of Bond
The Neptune and Battles Aquatic

Reviews

Reviews

In an entertaining narrative, Parker explores which aspects of Ian Fleming's Bond stories are scientifically sound and which are purely fiction or movie magic.

A very successful and entirely charming book that belongs in all college libraries. Highly recommended.

A fun romp with a handful of equations, charts, and diagrams.

Thorough and clearly written.

Parker has a terrific idea here—to scrutinize the science of the special effects on parade in the James Bond movies.

See All Reviews
About

Book Details

Publication Date
Status
Available
Trim Size
5.5
x
8.5
Pages
248
ISBN
9780801882487
Illustration Description
28 color illus., 80 halftones, 10 line drawings
Table of Contents

Acknowldgments
Introduction
1. Bond for Beginners
2. Wow, What a Stunt!
3. Death Rays and Ghosts
4. How'd They Do That?: Amazing Devices
5. Bond's Gadgets and Gizmos
6. The Incredible Bond Cars
7. The Race Is

Acknowldgments
Introduction
1. Bond for Beginners
2. Wow, What a Stunt!
3. Death Rays and Ghosts
4. How'd They Do That?: Amazing Devices
5. Bond's Gadgets and Gizmos
6. The Incredible Bond Cars
7. The Race Is On: Car Chases
8. Bond in Space
9. Nuclear Weapons and Reactors
10. Water Sports and Guns
Appendix
Bibliography
Index

Author Bio
Featured Contributor

Barry Parker

Barry Parker is a professor emeritus of physics at Idaho State University and the author of The Isaac Newton School of Driving, also available from Johns Hopkins.
Resources

Additional Resources