James Bond: The Legacy
John Cork and Bruce Scivally
Harry N. Abrams, $32
What would the world be like without James Bond? The answer, according to author John Cork, is much more ordinary. This tome dedicated to all things Bond celebrates the spy's cinematic legacy using archives and anecdotes from the filmmakers who made the 007 movies plus more than 500 photographs, designs sketches and storyboards.

Bond Girls Are Forever: The Women of James Bond
Maryam d'Abo and John Cork
Harry N. Abrams, $26
For more than 40 years, 007 has had the very good fortune to share the screen with some of the world's most dangerous and sexy women. From bikini-clad Ursula Andress in Dr. No to secret agent Halle Berry in Die Another Day, each has become a cinematic ideal. Co-written by Maryam d'Abo, a Bond girl from The Living Daylights, this coffee table book provides insight into the roles of some of the most famous Bond girls by the actresses who played them.

James Bond
The Secret World of 007
Alastair Dougall
DK Books, $32.99
Along with blow-by-blow accounts of 007's most death-defying chases and battles, this book provides a ton of "top secret" information including the weapons of Bond's villains, the best spy gadgets, Bond's women and the world of M16.
The James Bond Ultimate Edition Volumes 1 and 2
MGM Home Entertainment, $119.99 each
Newly restored and re-mastered with never-before-seen bonus materials, these collections feature a film from each actor who has played Bond (with the exception of George Lazenby who only made one film, of course). Vol. 1 includes Goldfinger, The World is Not Enough, Diamonds Are Forever, The Man With the Golden Gun and The Living Daylights. Vol. 2 includes Thunderball, Die Another Day, The Spy Who Loved Me, A View to a Kill, and Licence to Kill. Volumes 3 and 4 with the remaining 007 films will be available December 12.



Casino Royale
Sony Music
The soundtrack to Casino Royale, Daniel Craig's first outing as James Bond, is composed by Grammy Award-winning composer David Arnold. Arnold, who also composed the last three Pierce Brosnan outings, has delivered another fine set of music to accompany 007's thrilling adventures. The full listing includes 25 tracks, with the famous James Bond theme rounding out the album. However, the title song "You Know My Name" by Chris Cornell is absent from the line-up.

The Departed
Warner Music
This explosive crime drama from director Martin Scorsese features songs from greats like The Rolling Stones ("Let It Loose") and The Beach Boys ("Sail On, Sailor") as well as a collaboration between Pink Floyd's Roger Waters, Van Morrison, and The Band for a version of Floyd's "Comfortably Numb". Add cult faves The Human Beinz, current South Boston punkers Dropkick Murphys, a classic from Patsy Cline ("Sweet Dreams (Of You)) and a pair of songs from award-winning composer Howard Shore and you have an album that's deserving of a listen.

The Prestige
Hollywood Records
Composer David Julyan, the man behind the very haunting soundtracks for films like Memento and Insomnia, scores this tale of two young stage magicians whose rivalry takes them both to the peak of their careers. Dark and moody, each of the album's 17 tracks is intended to wring the accompanying scenes for tension. Highlights include "Are You Watching Closely," "Adagio for Julia" and "The Price of a Good Trick."