Prometheus, or Biology and the Advancement of Man. Fore

[James Bond source book] JENNINGS, H.S.

Published by London: Kegan Pau,l Trench, Trubner & Co., [1925]

About this Item

FIRST EDITION. Small octavo, pp.94; [2], blank; [8], ads. Publisher's hardcovers in typographic dust-wrapper, priced 2/6. Pencil ownership of bibliographer Jon Gilbert. Fine, in slightly nicked jacket. Rare- no other UK copy currently listed. Fleming's own copy (signed, without jacket), sold for £3000 [Sotheby's, 22/9/23, lot 3] Text on eugenics and human conditioning, developed largely by Sir Francis Galton, whom Fleming also read (See Lilliy Library catalogue, item 23, Galton's Finger Prints). Fleming's book collection also included Darwin's Origin of Species, Gobineau's Race Inequality, Pavlov's Conditioned Reflexes, Hitler's Mein Kampf, Braid's Neurypnology [Memsmerism], Binet's Intelligence, Mendel's Heredity, Thornton's Over-Population, Davies On Evils, and Sorel On Violence. Eugenics was discredited as unscientific and racially biased, particularly following adoption of its doctrines by Hitler in his quest for Nazi supremacy. Radical eugenics permeates Fleming' novels, via zealous genocidal villains bent on world-domination; see Moonraker (vengeance for The Fatherland), Goldfinger (genocide through poisoning), On Her Majesty's Secret service (genetics, hypnosis), You Only Live Twice (assisted suicide) The Man With The Golden Gun (brianwashing). Conditioning is also a trait in the film series; see Live and Let Die (forced heroin addiction), Moonraker (pursuit of a master race), No Time To Die (DNA targeting) [Gilbert].

Seller Inventory # 67303

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Prometheus, or Biology and the Advancement of Man. Fore
• Publisher: London: Kegan Pau,l Trench, Trubner & Co., [1925]
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Dust Jacket Condition: Dust Jacket Included
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)
• Seller catalogs:
  • James Bond 007