Robert Ludlum, The Bourne Trilogy

I orginally read each one of the three books at uncommon times years back.I got the set of three book as it showed up an OK framework to assess every one of them again. The entire series will mesmerize you.

These books are just great. Unputdownable!

I haven't finished the final book but am more than half way through it. The First book Bourne Identity sets the scene of a government man under deep cover trying to track down a notorious European Assassin, known as Carlos or the Jackal. Unforeseen is the tragic early event of Bourne losing his memory. Ludlum is excellent in playing out the scenario; our hero has to piece together his understanding of who he is, what he is and why he is being chased after. He meets his little helper who turns out to be more than a little helper, Marie. The event of getting her to help him to was one in which he coerced her. She falls for him and gets him to piece together his understanding of who he is and what he can do. She's a very intelligent woman. Something the film misses out and her role is important to Bourne's sanity. Together they tackle each day's trials and tribulations, enough to have you sitting on the edge of your seat. Reverting back to the film, I'd say this book has been best adapted, except the film completely misses the main story line of one killer chasing another and sets a different scenario.

Bourne Supremacy sees our hero come out of a short retirement, by the devious American and British governments. This is set in the orient. Bourne has to take on a copy cat that had taken his name and is set to destabilise the whole orient. Cause chaos and perhaps even world devastation. The American government kidnapped Marie, but being a resourceful woman she escapes them. Luck for her she did, it seems they have more leaks in their Hong Kong operation than a siv. Again the story in part plays on Marie's understanding of events. How she is also forced to go on the run and piece things together. The film well it completely loses the thread and is nothing like the book unless you count the title. Shame because there is so much in each of these books they could have easily made a 3 series television package, one which would have been worth watching.

Lastly Bourne Ultimatum has Carlos return. His sole objective is to get rid of Bourne; it has now become very personal. Bourne is in his early 50s at this point and is unsure he can bring it altogether again. But he has to, for now he has a family, and Carlos will kill them if he can. As I said I haven't finished this read, but I'd say it was the best of the 3 to date and I know the film will be absolutely nothing like it. A good read. Lots of action, violence and a running story line which makes you think you were on the back of Carl Lewis. A can't put down read.

Ludlum is an excellent writer of this genre. Try Chancellor Manuscript too.

Robert Ludlum, Three Great Novels: "The Bourne Identity", "The Bourne Supremacy", "The Bourne Ultimatum": This one left me begging for more. A no holds barred gritty portrayal of a super-star assasin, the vississitudes of international powerplay and the all encompassing hatred of two men, the jackal and the chameleon, each, the unparalleled predator in his forest, knowing only one can survive.

Washed ashore an idyllic Italian village an amnesiac, the protagonist Jason Bourne, searches for his own past but ends up drawn into a merciless crossfire of his own pretrauma making.

The jackal is the epitome of cool, THE biggest bad-ass around, his sights set on the unwitting but undeniably talented Mr.Bourne conjures up a phenomenal saga in which both characters plunge into an allout dance of death. Spanning three books the saga is about how Bourne comes to grips with a past he doesn't remeber, battles faceless enemies and finds allies he never believed he could find. A nitro fuelled page turner this one portrays one mans journey to the edges of sanity in his quest to discover his reality.