Ths copy has had the pastedowns at front and rear slashed by customs or secuity personnel when leaving Columbia, from where the book was sent to us, via DHL. This has caused the covers to bend. The officials who did this were, apparently, searching for a derivitve of the coca plant, or perhaps some nefarious destructive device. Or maybe they were just having a bad day. The original bag in which the book was shipped is included, including the waybill (with sender's name blacked out). The package was opened and resealed, with tape, and a label was affixed stating "Security Checked. The Contents of this package have been checked by a DHL staff member for security purposes either in the presence of the shipper or within a DHL facility." Luckily, the overzealous inspectors did not note any suspicious possibilities in the dust jacket, so it is unscathed. The scarce third title in Fleming's 007 James Bond thriller series. With 'shoot' reading page 10, penultimate line (versus 'shoo' in some copies, no priority established), page block thickness 18mm.