After the end of World War II, in 1945, relations between the United States and the Soviet Union were frost and tense. Up until the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, these years are collectively referred to as the cold war. Ian Fleming, author of the 007 series of spy novels, was probably the most famous cold war author.

The Fleming family were originally from Scotland, first in Perth and then Dundee. Robert Fleming, Ian's grandfather, made a fortune in investment trusts before moving the family to London's Grosvenor Square, where they lived in a house on the site of what is occupied today as the American Embassy. Once settled in London, Robert started his own investment bank.

Valentine, Ian's father, was killed in action during the Great War, World War I, in which he served as one of the Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars. His obituary was composed by Valentine's friend and fellow officer, the future Prime Minister of England, Winston Churchill. He left a wife, Evelyn Rose, and four children, aged 4, 6, 9 and 10. Prior to serving in the armed forces, Valentine worked as a barrister and as a Member of Parliament.

Born at 27 Green Street in Mayfair, London, on May 28, 1908, Ian Lancaster Fleming was the second of four brothers. Educated at Eton College near Windsor, Fleming pursued further education in Austria and Germany. Fleming's brother, Peter, was born in 1907. He married actress Celia Johnson, noted for her performance in the David Lean film, "Brief Encounter." His brother, Richard Fleming, was born in 1911 and died of a heart attack in 1977. Michael Fleming was born in 1913 and died at Normandy in 1940, after marrying and fathering four children.

Ian Fleming had an early career in journalism at the Reuters news agency. During this time, he was in Oxford and was fined three guineas, or GBP 3.15 for a traffic offense. . His lawyer had to explain that he was unable to appear in court because he was attending the World Economic Conference. His years at Reuters were the most thrilling period of his life.

He was so eager to work for Reuters, he volunteered to work for nothing for a month's trial. He successfully completed updating 500 obituaries, which impressed his boss tremendously. During the Reuters years, Fleming learned to write accurately and quickly. Submitting anything less than 100% accurate copy was grounds for dismissal at Reuters.

Fleming later served under the Director of Naval Intelligence in London. It was the experience gained in this role that provided the material for so many of 007's adventures. Fleming borrowed the name, James Bond, from the man who wrote his favorite book on the subject of West Indian birds. Fleming lived in Jamaica for a period of almost 20 years, from 1946 to 1964.

Ian Fleming, cold war author, was also known for writing a children's story, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, which was eventually made into a Walt Disney movie. He wrote the book for his son, Caspar. It was Caspar's 12th birthday, August 12, 1964, when Fleming died of cardiac arrest. Caspar never really recovered from losing his father and committed suicide in 1975.