My Word Is My Bond: The Autobiography [Hardcover]

 

 

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Reason for Reading: Roger Moore is the Bond I grew up with, the one I went to the movies to see as a teenager.

Comments: Right from the introduction Mr. Moore states that he will not be 'dirt-dishing' nor telling 'tittle tattle'; he wants to write a fun book filled with memories the way he saw them and the wonderful people he met in his life but he promises that does not mean it will be a 'fluffy book' either. Roger Moore lives up to this statement giving the reader a very enjoyable look inside his life without trashing anyone. He does mention a couple of names that he simply hates with a straightforward reason why, he tells stories leaving the irritating one unnamed and he mentions names and follows the "if you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all rule" frequently. But Roger Moore is a charming fellow, very easy going, loves a prank or two, and can take a joke on himself as well so his book is filled with people he adored and those who adored him back.

Moore spends a good part of the book on his early life in England; his childhood, days in the army, acting on stage, becoming an actor in British movies. This was all very interesting and it's hard to believe that Roger Moore is really that old to have been in WWII! Even when acting in Britain the famous names start knocking about such as David Niven (a lifetime friend) and Michael Caine. Then he comes to America and makes a name for himself on the small screen starring in Maverick (replacing James Garner as his British cousin), then his famous Simon Templar as The Saint and finally The Persuaders with Tony Curtis. Not until we are closing in on page 200 does Roger Moore get to James Bond and the book has been so interesting up to this point that Bond is not the vital part of the book. Even if you started to read the because of the Bond connection. I won't go into any more details but from their Moore continues on with Bond, his wives, his other movies and work, ending finally with his long association with UNICEF.

Moore comes across just as I had expected him too. He keeps his debonair, suave, gentlemanly air about him but he also has his tongue firmly planted in cheek at the same time. Even as a child he behaved this way, he calls himself on it frequently saying "ever the poseur". He tells some wonderful memories and anecdotes as he's been with all the greats throughout his career: Elizabeth Taylor, Cary Grant, Gregory Peck, Noel Coward, Stewart Granger, Richard Burton and countless others.

The only thing I didn't enjoy about the book was the last few chapters which mostly focused pretty heavily on his UNICEF activities that it began to feel like an infomercial. I will state I don't support UNICEF for conscience reasons but I did enjoy hearing of the travel and good work he accomplished. But then it just seriously devolved into three chapters about UNICEF with Roger as the emcee. Otherwise, I had a very enjoyable read and certainly learned a lot more about the man who I previously only knew as The Saint and James Bond.

Roger Moore writes with much insight about his incredible life. This is a very enjoyable book that tells you much about the suave actor and how he scaled the heights of the film world. When you read it you come to understand why he was so successful...that it was not just his looks and charm that aided in his climb to the top but a decency and honesty that started with a fascinating and well remembered childhood and continue to this day. This is a must read for those wanting to know more about the life of Roger Moore.

I'll say up front that I enjoy Roger Moore's Bond. I don't know if he's my favorite, but he played the role with a real British flair that no other Bond has managed to pull off. It seems that role fit him so well because that's the kind of guy he is in real life. A little off-color, into joking, high-society, yet still genuine British class A act. The other reviews have done a good job summarizing this book, so I'll just say that I quite enjoyed reading it. I almost gave it four stars because it's so long, but to be honest, most of it is really fun to read. Moore has certainly lived an interesting life that's full of Hollywood stories and adventures. He also goes into enough detail about The Saint and Bond shows/movies to satisfy a fan's curiosity. Some people have commented that he talks too much about the charities he's involved with, but that's because I think they have become the dominant factor/line of work in the later years of his life. They're certainly admirable causes, chief amongst them UNICEF. Moore clearly cares a lot about the welfare of children, travelling all over the world to promote iodine in salt as a means of warding off iodine deficiency, a serious, but completely preventable disorder.

If you're interested in Roger Moore, the man, this book is what you're looking for. If you're looking for a book on Roger Moore as James Bond, this book will also do the job. And if you're just looking for a (generally) light-hearted biography, this book will also do the job. Like many of Moore's films/shows, you'll find yourself laughing, amused, and charmed by his writing. So I'm going to be generous and say that the laughter and good stories are worth five stars.

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4.0 out of 5 stars Pranks, Jokes, Shooting Mishaps, and Behind-the-Scenes Glimpses of the Greats
Successful actors and actresses usually focus on themselves. Sir Roger Moore knows that "the play's the thing" and directs interesting and rewarding stories that movie and... Lisez davantage

Published on Jan 30 2009 by Donald Mitchell

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