From Russia, with Love is the fifth novel by the English author Ian
Fleming to feature his fictional British Secret Service agent James Bond. Fleming wrote the story in early 1956 at his Goldeneye estate in Jamaica; at the time he thought it might be his final Bond book. The story centres on a plot by SMERSH, the Soviet counter-intelligence agency, to assassinate Bond in such a way as to discredit both him and his organisation. As bait, the Russians use a beautiful cipher clerk and the Spektor, a Soviet decoding machine. Much of the action takes place in Istanbul and on the Orient Express (pictured). The book was inspired by Fleming's visit to Turkey on behalf of The Sunday Times to report on an Interpol conference; he returned to Britain by the Orient Express.
From Russia, with Love deals with the East–West tensions of the Cold
War, and the decline of British power and influence after the Second World War. In 1963 it was adapted into the second film in the Bond series, starring Sean Connery.
Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/From_Russia,_with_Love_%28novel%29
_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:
1854:
The paddle steamer SS Arctic sank after a collision with SS Vesta 50 miles (80 km) off the coast of Newfoundland, killing approximately 320 people. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Arctic_disaster
1930:
With his victory in the United States Amateur Championship, Bobby Jones became the only person to complete a Grand Slam in golf. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobby_Jones_%28golfer%29
1964:
The British Aircraft Corporation TSR-2, an advanced Cold War tactical strike and reconnaissance aircraft that was later cancelled, made its maiden flight. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BAC_TSR-2
1988:
Led by pro-democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi, the political party National League for Democracy was founded in Burma. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_League_for_Democracy
_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:
xebec: A small two-masted, and later three-masted, Mediterranean transport ship with an overhanging bow and stern. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/xebec
___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:
The greatest weakness of all weaknesses is to fear too much to appear weak. --Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Jacques-B%C3%A9nigne_Bossuet