ABOUT THE BOOK

In 1952, Ian Fleming was living his winter months in his villa, Goldeneye in Oracabessa, Jamaica. He started to write a series of books that would forever alter both the literary world and the film world. It was this endeavour that served to create forever lasting and celebrated connections between the breathtaking island, the author himself and his timeless creation: James Bond 007.

Fleming based three books and two short stories in Jamaica, while film makers Cubby Broccoli and Harry Saltzman used the island to introduce both Sean Connery and Roger Moore as 007, in Dr. No (1962) and Live and Let Die (1971) respectively. EON Productions heirs Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson completed the full circle when they brought 007 back to Jamaica in their final Bond film, No Time to Die (2021).

In his 5^th book for ON THE TRACKS OF 007, Simon Firth takes you once again to an amazing James Bond destination. Exploring Jamaica from a traveller’s point of view, Simon takes you on a clockwise trip around the island, meticulously showing you where the Bond connection began, where all the action was filmed and where you definitely should go on the tracks of James Bond. Starting at Fleming’s beloved Goldeneye, you will visit Port Antonio, Kingston, Port Royal, Alligator Pond, Lucea, Negril, Montego Bay, Falmouth, Ocho Rios and see many fascinating places on the way.

JAMAICA – ON THE TRACKS OF JAMES BOND takes you on a journey through time and highlights what the exotic island looked like when Ian Fleming arrived and was inspired by the country, it highlights the people who lived and came to Jamaica to create the films, people who today own and manage the locations and hotels at which the film makers stayed and filmed. Richly illustrated, this book is a celebration of the quintessentially beautiful country of Jamaica and James Bond’s time in it.

Featuring a Foreword by The Honourable Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange OJ, CD, DSE, MP, and an Afterword by actress Gloria Hendry, who appeared as ‘Rosie Carver’ in the 8^th James Bond film, Live and Let Die.

SPECIFICATIONS

ISBN: 9789083338774 (hardcover w/dustjacket)

Size: 15,6cm x 23,4cm, Pages: 332, Release date: June 7, 2025

About the author

Simon Firth became interested in, and subsequently hooked on the world of James Bond when introduced by his father to watch on TV Dr No and Thunderball. As a family, the cinematic experience of seeing The Spy Who Loved Me left its indelible mark. Moonraker further excited and by the time of the release of For Your Eyes Only, the focus of his future interests was sealed.

The subject of James Bond has been divided into its infinite parts; Clothes, Cars, Food, Drink, Books, Films, Graphic Novels and Watches to name but a few, and the multitudinous contributors and content makers who ply their knowledge long term inspired Simon to contribute to the world of travel, and film locations.

Following a love for Villefranche-sur-Mer and the surrounding countryside’s impact on the James Bond films that led to the writing and publication of CÔTE D’AZUR, Simon subsequently wrote and had published the film location-based books, ITALY, FILMING JAMES BOND IN THE BAHAMAS and BOND IN FRANCE. Simon Firth also wrote the words for Jeff Marshall’s book, BEAUTY OF BOND, and happily assisted where possible to construct the story of Martine Beswicke’s life story, On My Way.

Professionally, he is a self-employed contract Project Manager working in the Telecommunications and Media sector.