From Wiki:
" In 1960 Fleming was commissioned by the Kuwait Oil Company to write a book on the country and its oil industry. The typescript is titled State of Excitement: Impressions of Kuwait but was never published due to Kuwait government disapproval. According to Fleming: "The Oil Company expressed approval of the book but felt it their duty to submit the typescript to members of the Kuwait Government for their approval. The Sheikhs concerned found unpalatable certain mild comments and criticisms and particularly the passages referring to the adventurous past of the country which now wishes to be 'civilised' in every respect and forget its romantic origins."
Amazing! They choose James Bond to write the book. There is a copy, but it is not published, and this is what I could find:
" 1960, Dec. Fleming, Ian [Lancaster], 1908-1964, author.
State of excitement; impressions of Kuwait. Carbon of T.D.S. [151]leaves. 26cm.
Prefaced by typed statement signed by Ian Fleming that this is the "only bound copy"; that it did not receive the approval of the sheikhs and was thus "stillborn"; that the "copyright is the property of the Kuwait Oil Company and may not be set up in print or quoted from without written approval of the Company." Minor holograph and typed corrections and additions. Sixteen full page black and white glossy photographs. Pasteup of inside cover of coins on a maroon background with title and author handlettered in white. Bound in maroon morocco and lettered in gold. "- Source Indiana University website
However, we did have this Bond Classic :p
Update: If you type "State of Excitement: Impressions of Kuwait, now you get this (click to enlarge)
Purgatorian Post #1322
