My Washington Times Review Of Roger Moore's 'A Bientot'

The Washington Times published my review of Sir Roger Moore’s A Bientot.

Although I much prefer Sean Connery’s dark and dangerous portrayal of Ian Fleming’s iconic character James Bond to Sir Roger Moore’s light and comedic approach, I was a huge fan of Mr. Moore’s portrayal of Leslie Charteris’ Simon Templar in the 1960s TV series “The Saint.”

By all accounts, the late Mr. Moore was an intelligent and amiable man with a self-deprecating sense of humor. This comes across clearly in his books, such as “My Word is My Bond” and “Last Man Standing,” as well as his latest book, “A Bientot.”

The book was delivered to his publisher only days before he died on May 23 at the age of 89.

 “A Bientot” (French for goodbye or see you later) offers Mr. Moore’s take on growing old and a look back at what he has called an extraordinarily lucky and charmed life.

“The poet Dante believed old age starts at forty-five. The United Nations suggests it begins at sixty. Meanwhile, in 2016, the Daily Express newspaper reported that Britons do not see themselves as elderly until they are nudging eighty-five,” Mr. Moore writes at the start of his last book. “Well, as I write, I’m in my ninetieth year. Ninety! Where did those years go? But what is old age? Does it define us? Does it inhibit us? You can’t escape it, you can’t avoid it — well, you can, but the alternative isn’t to be recommended — so you just have to embrace it.”

Mr. Moore’s charmed life began in London on Oct. 14, 1927. The son of a policeman, Mr. Moore trained as an actor, served in the British army, and came to fame on British TV as “Ivanhoe” in the 1950s. He replaced James Garner in 1960 on “Maverick” and first appeared as “The Saint” in 1962. “The Saint” ran until 1969. In 1971 he starred in “The Persuaders” with Tony Curtis and in 1973 he starred in his first Bond film, “Live and Let Die.” He would go on to portray James Bond in six more films, finally giving up the role after 1985’s “A View to a Kill.”

But it was his more than 25 years as a UNICEF goodwill ambassador advocating children’s causes that he was most proud of. He was knighted by the British queen for his UNICEF work in 2003.

He was also a lifelong supporter of the British Conservative Party.

“A Bientot” offers Mr. Moore’s musings, along with anecdotes, sketches, photos, complaints about growing old, and abundant humor.

You can read the rest of the review via the below link:

www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/nov/14/book-review-a-bientot-by-roger-moore/