Summary- Since this is a novelization of the film, the plot is very similar to that of the movie. A Moonraker shuttle is hijacked on its way to England. Bond goes to the Hugo Drax's headquarters to investigate the situation. After being nearly killed, Bond realizes that Drax is not a good person. Bond discovers that Dr. Goodhead, who was posing as a rocket scientist under Drax's employ, was really working for the C.I.A. Together, they discover that Drax stole his own shuttle. Drax has a plan to "fix" the overpopulation of earth. He has taken the poison of a flower and created a very powerful toxin that kills people but not plants or animals. Using six of his shuttles and an orbiting space station that is cloaked from earth radar, he plans on creating a space-age Noah's Ark. Drax has collected the finest physical and mental specimens of each race and brought them to the space station so that they will be able to repopulate the earth. Bond and Goodhead sneak aboard Moonraker 6 and get to the space shuttle. Bond shuts down the electric radar jamming system. This brings the American "Space Marines". With their help, and that of Jaws, Bond destroys the space station, and the three satellites carrying enough toxin to kill 300,000,000 people. My Grade- B- Moonraker has always been, in my opinion, the most unique Bond movie. However, this definitely does not make it the best. It is interesting to see Bond in space, but I'm glad the movies and novels haven't sent him there more than once. Once is enough. Best Moment- Bond's space walk is the best part of this novel, partially because it is so unique. This is the only time Bond is ever up in space, and the space walk is very exciting. I think Wood also does a great job of conveying the fear James has about the situation. No matter how brave you are, floating in space with only a small propulsion system would be frightening. Also Notable- This is the first James Bond novel for Q to have a speaking part in. (He had been mentioned once before.)
