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

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.

Review

"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."

(Science News)

"Offers an entertaining and penetrating look at the James Bond phenomenon by exploring the technical and scientific aspect of stunts and gadgets seen in the movies. This is a unique book James Bond fans will not want to miss."

(Alain Haché, author of The Physics of Hockey)

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

(Choice)

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

(College and Research Libraries News)

"Thorough and clearly written."

(Stephen Baxter Nature)

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

(Eve Lichtgarn AssociatedContent.com)

"A book that's sure to appeal to teens with an interest in gadgets, cars, stunts, trick cinematography, and sports."

(School Library Journal)

"For anyone moderately interested in both James Bond and physics, this is an entertaining and relatively easy read."

(Joanna Barstow Observatory Magazine)

"A very enjoyable book with some very well handled physics."

(John L. Hubisz Physics Teacher)

About this edition

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