Cinema history was made with the release of Dr. No in 1962. Sean Connery became the face of the suave secret agent 007, and one of film's most iconic franchises was born.

How different might that history have been if, instead, Thunderball was the first Bond film to be released, directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Richard Burton as James Bond? It seems absurd, but it almost happened.

The Battle for Bond unravels this most controversial part of the James Bond legend using letters and private documents to recount a story in which Ian Fleming found himself in the dock accused of plagiarism, and the events threatened to turn the James Bond film-making world upside down. It is a tale of bitter recriminations, betrayal, multimillion-dollar lawsuits and even death.

Regarded within the Bond fan community as one of the most important books ever written about 007, The Battle for Bond was the subject of controversial litigation when it was first published in 2007, and was, for a time, banned in Britain. With this new edition, Robert Sellers revives this fascinating chapter in film history, warts and all.