Matt Sherman wants to show you what is on the menu — James Bond’s menu.
The 45-year-old Gainesville author and UF religion alumnus has created a website where people can donate money to publish a higher quality version of his book, “Eating James Bond: 007’s Every Last Meal.” He has until July 15 to reach his $20,000 goal.
That money will be used to cover the cost of color printing, have a professional photographer shoot meals and memorabilia and to advertise the book. The book will be published in black and white if the $20,000 goal is not achieved.
The Bond novels became famous because of the sense of travel and the detailed descriptions of international cuisine, Sherman said. The agent has something to eat every 10 minutes during a two-hour film.
Sherman said his book can serve as a tour guide to all the different locations that Bond has ever had a drink or eaten a meal.
“You can eat what Bond eats, where Bond eats,” Sherman said.
The cuisine plays a bigger part in the movies and books to a true fan, said Frank Herbert, 66, who has been studying James Bond novels and movies for 50 years and is a member of the International James Bond fan club based in the U.K. Average fans may only notice a few meals here and there.
“When I was younger everyone wanted to eat what James Bond ate,” Herbert said. “People were even interested in the type of toothpaste he used.”
Some things have changed since then, considering the opinion of Alan Ferry, a 27-year-old aerospace engineering junior.
“I don’t enjoy martinis whether they’re shaken or stirred,” Ferry said. “I prefer beer.”
The book will be published through CreateSpace, Amazon.com Inc.’s self-publishing platform, and it will be available on Amazon and other outlets, Sherman said. The book is scheduled to be published by Aug. 1. Books will cost approximately $25 for the black-and-white version and $35 for the color version.
The site started accepting donations May 31, and at the time of print, the donation total was at $1,760. Donate at bit.ly/1lCYprm.
[A version of this story ran on page 10 on 7/3/2014 under the headline "Booze & food with James Bond"]
