Death Rays, Jet Packs, Stunts, and Supercars: The Fantastic Physics of Film's Most Celebrated Secret Agent - Hardcover

Parker, Barry

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0801882486 ISBN 13: 9780801882487

Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2005

Synopsis

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

About this title

About the Author

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.

Reviews

Adult/High School-A longtime James Bond fan, Parker takes a look at the science behind the movies and explains what works and what doesn't, and the basic physics involved. Is it possible to outrun an avalanche? Can a laser beam really cut someone in two? Do X-ray glasses work? The technical explanations are clear and intended for the layperson. Science alternates with movie details and interesting trivia: one of the world's first underwater cameras was used to film Thunderball; an early Bond movie featured snowboarding long before it became a popular sport. The appendix gives the author's opinions and rankings of the best of movies, actors, villains, and chase scenes. Parker's intent is not to criticize the films, but rather to share his enthusiasm for them and for physics. A book that's sure to appeal to teens with an interest in gadgets, cars, stunts, trick cinematography, and sports (skiing, bungee jumping).-Sandy Freund, Richard Byrd Library, Fairfax County, VA
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Edition details

• Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press
• Publication date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0801882486
• ISBN 13: 9780801882487
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 248