The Real James Bond: Philly, Spies and the Academy of Natural Sciences
Tuesday, March 3, 2020
6:30 PM-8:00 PM
International man of mystery or humble birdwatcher? Why not both? Join us to find out all about Bond, James Bond… the scientist! 007’s namesake is the subject of a new book, The Real James Bond, by Philadelphia native, writer, birder and real James Bond expert, Jim Wright.
Hear about the fascinating life of the acclaimed ornithologist who was an Academy stalwart from the 1920s into the 1980s and one-time curator. Enjoy a curated conversation between Wright and an Academy scientist, and look at the Academy’s real James Bond bird specimens before you purchase a book to be signed by the author.
This exclusive event marks the debut of Wright’s new book.
Tickets: $9, $5 students, free for ANS Members
Click here to purchase tickets.
From the publisher:
“Whatever happened to him actually outshines anything I’ve had my James Bond do.” —Ian Fleming
James Bond: author, ornithologist, marksman, and . . . identity-theft victim? When James Bond published his landmark book, Birds of the West Indies, he had no idea it would set in motion events that would link him to the most iconic spy in the Western world and turn his life upside down.
Born into a wealthy family but cut off in his early twenties, James Bond took off to the West Indies in search of adventure. Armed with arsenic and a shotgun, he took months-long excursions to the Caribbean to collect material for his iconic book, Birds of the West Indies, navigating snake-infested swamps, sleeping in hammocks and island-hopping on tramp steamers and primitive boats.
Packed with archival photos, many never before published, and interviews with Bond’s family and colleagues, here is the real story of the pipe-smoking, ruthless ornithologist who introduced the world to the exotic birds of the West Indies.
About the Author:
Jim Wright is an author, blogger, and longtime birding columnist for The Bergen Record in northern New Jersey. A prize-winning writer, Wright is the author of The Nature of the Meadowlands, Jungle of the Maya, and Hawk Mountain. Born in Philadelphia, he is a lifelong Phillies and Eagles fan. Wright is a marsh warden at the Celery Farm Natural Area in Allendale, New Jersey, where he lives with his wife, Patty. In his spare time, he spies on birds. Read his blog at realjamesbond.net.