The Wall Street Journal called The Real James Bond "a slim and elegant volume" and  a "charming new book." The review is  here.

The Birdbooker Report called "The Real James Bond"  ... "a must-have for James Bond fans and for those with an interest in ornithological history." The review is here.

The (U.K.) Times Literary Supplement said:

It is by turns a capsule portrait of Philadelphia high society at the turn of the last century, a bibliographical thriller, and an exploration of the historically close ties between birders and spooks, even unmasking a surprising villain.

Although Bond “appeared every inch the genteel pipe-smoking naturalist”, he was “an adventurer with a reputation for occasional ruthlessness” and an expert marksman.

Wright makes much of the similarities between the two Bonds, even going so far as to wonder whether the birdwatcher was himself a spy, concluding that he probably wasn’t, despite his habit of showing up in politically sensitive places.

(Wright’s easygoing attitude to this – “it’s fun to speculate” – sums up his book.)