SKU: 26216010657

"You Asked For It (Casino Royale)" 1955 FLEMING, Ian

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"You Asked For It (Casino Royale)" 1955 FLEMING, IanFLEMING, Ian[128] pp. Popular Library19556 7 8" x 4 3 8"You Asked for It was simply the title given to the very first U. S. paperback version of Casino Royale, the book that introduced British super spy James Bond, Agent 007, to the world. The original hardcover edition was brought out in Great Britain back in 1953 by publisher Jonathan Cape. Two years later, though, when New York based American Popular Library arranged to release a cheaper, softcover

FLEMING, Ian

[128] pp.

Popular Library

1955

6 7/8" x 4 3/8"

You Asked for It was simply the title given to the very first U.S. paperback version of Casino Royale, the book that introduced British super-spy James Bond, Agent 007, to the world.

The original hardcover edition was brought out in Great Britain back in 1953 by publisher Jonathan Cape. Two years later, though, when New York-based American Popular Library arranged to release a cheaper, softcover version in the States, the company’s marketing geniuses griped that the name Casino Royale wasn’t sufficiently saleable. (“Apparently, it was feared that American readers would not be able to pronounce ‘Royale,’” quips a piece at CommanderBond.net). They wanted something different, a replacement that was more in keeping with the tough-guy stories then flooding U.S. bookstores. “Fleming’s suggestions for a new title, The Double-O Agent and The Deadly Gamble, were disregarded, “in favor of You Asked The novel was subtitled ‘Casino Royale’ and made reference to secret agent 007 as ‘Jimmy Bond’ on the back cover” (left). Did the Popular Library honchos really believe 007 needed such a nickname to appeal to often folksier Yankee readers?*

CommanderBond.net calls the You Asked for It front “a wonderful piece of Bondamania. ... [I]ts illustrated cover features an alluring Vesper Lynd with a leering ‘Jimmy’ pouring a drink. The spine of the book reads, ‘She played a man’s game with a woman’s weapon.’ One would hardly recognize this book as an adventure of the suave sophisticated 007 of today. This remains a very scarce book, and one that is passionately sought after by Bond fans.

So who painted You Asked for It’s pulpish jacket? Well, there’s a mystery for you. According to novelist Bill Crider, who owns a copy of the paperback, “There’s absolutely no signature on that cover, nor is there any credit given to the artist on the inside.” Hoping for a more definitive answer, and because he’s been helpful to me before in solving this sort of puzzle, I dashed off an e-mail inquiry to Art Scott, the co-author of a comprehensive illustrated bibliography, The Paperback Covers of Robert McGinnis (2001), and a contributor to a forthcoming book from Donald M. Grant about McGinnis’ portraits of women. Alas, he couldn’t identify the artist here either. “[B]ut my best guess,” Scott wrote, “would be Ray Johnson, who did a lot of Pop [Library] covers in that era, and it looks like his style.” Johnson’s other works include the fronts of The World in the Evening, by Christopher Isherwood (1955); Mr. Trouble, by William Ard (1956); Love in Suburbia, by John Conway (1960); This Is My Night, by Richard Deming (1961); and Some Die Hard, by Nick Quarry (1961).

Fortunately, the rebranding of Fleming’s debut thriller was short-lived. Popular Library’s You Asked for It (released in April 1955) was the only edition to carry that title. Signet Books picked up the U.S. rights to the James Bond novels after 1960 and restored the Casino Royale name.
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SKU: 26216010657

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Austin & Cambria
Grantham, US
★★★★★ 5
That ending 😫
Format: Kindle
I fell into a false sense of security and really thought this was gearing towards a happy ending. Then I realized there’s no work they don’t punish Andrew. I really liked Vale’s character. I don’t normally read books with pregnancy but going into this knowing she was pregnant made it more enjoyable for me. I loved Bishops devotion to her and her happiness. I also loved that Holt and Mercy couldn’t fight their attraction to her. I love scent matches so very much. I’m so curious to see how this duet will end up. And I need to pay more attention and notice that a book I’m starting is a duet to begin with lol
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Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2025
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Sarah A
Houston, US
★★★★★ 5
oh wow
Format: Kindle
I just knew there was something about Cooper! I’m wondering if he’s about to be included but damn I’m glad he’s at least not a rapist and creepy guy, he just got called on assignment and had to go! This should be interesting! She’s gonna run and then what’s his face is gonna grab her. I’m worried! Wow that was a great book and cliffhanger! Loving this!
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Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2025
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Ruth Ann Burt
Lexington, US
★★★★★ 5
Great book
Format: Kindle
I absolutely feel in love with all 4 characters!!! The bedroom scenes were 🌋🌡🔥🔥🔥. I couldn't put this book down!!! I'm hooked for the whole series Book 2 here I come!!!!! Its a fun easy book and story to read!!
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Reviewed in the United States on October 4, 2024
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Danyelle
Omaha, US
★★★★★ 4
Fun with a late blooming omega
Format: Kindle
I like this book. The story is fun, cute, and sexy. There's just a little drama, some excellent, steamy scenes, and a fairly good relationship building storyline. I especially like how all the main characters are a bit older than the usual 20 somethings I tend to see in this kind of book. Having said that, I wish there were more descriptions of the places, as well as the food in the fancy restaurant. I enjoyed the cocktails at the club, so I missed that kind of detail when Gray took Madison on a dinner date. I also wish there had been more interaction between Lucas and Madison, and Lucas and Rian. It felt a bit lopsided, with a focus on Rian, Madison, and Gray. I wish it had been proofread - there are a lot of typos, but nothing too distracting.
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Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2022
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Jennifer G
Battle Creek, US
★★★★★ 3
Madison Deserved Better
Format: Kindle
Madison was a beta...except she wasn't any longer. She was a late presenting Omega. And she was struggling. She was tall and thin, not tiny and curvy. She was opinionated. She was everything an Omega was not. After suffering through her first heat, her friends took her to Ardor, a club where Omegas came to safely find Alphas. She's not expecting much but then she connects with a sexy beta. And when she meets his Alphas, they set her body on fire. Maybe, she's found her no-strings-attached heat pack. Maybe, she's found something more. I could not connect with the characters in this book, so their story never resonated with me. And there was no love story; there was sex. Grey made it clear from the beginning that he had a true love and it was his beta boy, Rian. He went so far as to reassure Rian “Say the word, I’ll never touch her again. Lucas can put the babies in her. I only need you, beta boy”. So, Madison was there for babies, no emotions needed. Nice. No, thank you. I want the Omega to be the center of their world, not an incubator. Lucas and Rian weren't any better. After her heat, they let her leave. Not one of them made her feel valued. No one gave her a reason to stay or even offered a cuddle. And the sex didn't even come across as mind-blowing. Madison deserved better.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2025

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