Forged during the SecondWorld War, the close and abiding friendship of Robert Harling and Ian Fleming,one of the twentieth century's most iconic authors, would go on to define thelives and literature of both men significantly.

Their paths first crossedin 1939, and Harling later became Fleming's deputy in the commando unit dubbed Fleming's Secret Navy, which was tasked with obtaining equipment, codebooksand intelligence from the enemy. The war made fast friends of the two writers,and Fleming would go on to immortalise Harling in his hugely popular Bond novelsThunderball and The Spy Who Loved Me.

Yet beneath the pair'scharm, charisma and creativity was an altogether darker reality. Documenting invivid detail his private exchanges with Fleming, Harling exposes thepersonality behind his protagonist - one tempered by debilitating bouts ofdepression and a deep-rooted distrust of women.

'Searingly, almostpainfully honest, this picture of the sex-and-danger saturated relationshipbetween Harling and Fleming is as gripping and as challenging as the best ofthe Bond novels.' - AnnaBlundy, author and journalist