Chapter 1, The Secret Agent Summary

Casino Royale by Ian Fleming is a spy thriller set during the Cold War. It tells the story of one man, James Bond, and his evolution into a committed spy and secret agent. Bond accepts a mission to defeat a Russian agent, Le Chiffre, in a card game. He escapes death several times but eventually defeats Le Chiffre. This is just the beginning of Bond's journey. Other events lead to his renewed commitment to his job, which is a lifestyle more than a profession. The story is full of car chases, torture and sex as Bond's evolution into an international spy is revealed.

The novel opens with British secret agent James Bond gambling in the French casino in the town of Royale-les-Eaux. It is 3 a.m. and he is playing roulette in the private room of the...