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Jason Bourne #1-3
The Bourne identity / The Bourne supremacy / The Bourne Ultimation
Robert Ludlum The Bourne Trilogy
3 Books Set
RRP: £ 20.97
Brand New
Titles in This Set
The Bourne Trilogy
The Bourne Identity
The Bourne Ultimatum
3 Books Set
RRP: £ 20.97
Brand New
Titles in This Set
The Bourne Trilogy
The Bourne Identity
The Bourne Ultimatum
Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
796 people are currently reading
2356 people want to read
About the author
Robert Ludlum
626 books5,245 followersRobert Ludlum was the author of twenty-seven novels, each one a New York Times bestseller. There are more than 210 million of his books in print, and they have been translated into thirty-two languages. He is the author of The Scarlatti Inheritance, The Chancellor Manuscript, and the Jason Bourne series--The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy, and The Bourne Ultimatum--among others. Mr. Ludlum passed away in March, 2001. Ludlum also published books under the pseudonyms Jonathan Ryder and Michael Shepherd.
Some of Ludlum's novels have been made into films and mini-series, including The Osterman Weekend, The Holcroft Covenant, The Apocalypse Watch, The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum. A non-Ludlum book supposedly inspired by his unused notes, Covert One: The Hades Factor, has also been made into a mini-series. The Bourne movies, starring Matt Damon in the title role, have been commercially and critically successful (The Bourne Ultimatum won three Academy Awards in 2008), although the story lines depart significantly from the source material.
Some of Ludlum's novels have been made into films and mini-series, including The Osterman Weekend, The Holcroft Covenant, The Apocalypse Watch, The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum. A non-Ludlum book supposedly inspired by his unused notes, Covert One: The Hades Factor, has also been made into a mini-series. The Bourne movies, starring Matt Damon in the title role, have been commercially and critically successful (The Bourne Ultimatum won three Academy Awards in 2008), although the story lines depart significantly from the source material.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
March 8, 2018
The adventures in this trilogy of books are completely different than those in their modern-day movie counterparts. That being said, they are intriguing in their own right. The story lines are fascinating with great action, a smidge of a love story, and lots of twists and surprises. The narrator, Darren McGavin, kept me interested and hooked as he was easy to listen to while he infused various voices and passion for his work into every line.
I didn't realize this was an abridged version until I pulled out my paperbacks to follow along. Only later did I see the fine print on the bottom of the back cover: "These abridgments have been approved by the author." Though I wish I would have discovered that information prior to purchasing this audio trilogy, I still enjoyed listening to it. I often found myself wanting to dig into the paperbacks again to get the full story. If only I had time for that!
There were a few choppy transitions, due to its being an abridged version.
If it weren't for the profanity and expletives splattered throughout, this trilogy (and the paperbacks) would have been five-star reads for me. I really enjoy the spy thriller genre, but I would love it even more if the books used cleaner language.
Content:
* violence associated with this general market genre (spy thriller/action)
* profanity
* expletives
I was not compensated for my honest review.
I didn't realize this was an abridged version until I pulled out my paperbacks to follow along. Only later did I see the fine print on the bottom of the back cover: "These abridgments have been approved by the author." Though I wish I would have discovered that information prior to purchasing this audio trilogy, I still enjoyed listening to it. I often found myself wanting to dig into the paperbacks again to get the full story. If only I had time for that!
There were a few choppy transitions, due to its being an abridged version.
If it weren't for the profanity and expletives splattered throughout, this trilogy (and the paperbacks) would have been five-star reads for me. I really enjoy the spy thriller genre, but I would love it even more if the books used cleaner language.
Content:
* violence associated with this general market genre (spy thriller/action)
* profanity
* expletives
I was not compensated for my honest review.
August 20, 2019
Robert Ludlum Value Collection of Little Value:
I did not do my research before purchasing this collection of 3 Bourne abridged stories before purchasing. These are very abridged, lacking the depth of story line and characters I've come to enjoy in reading the original novels in the '80s and '90s. Overly dramatic narration & presentation with distracting background music. Of no value to this listener.
I did not do my research before purchasing this collection of 3 Bourne abridged stories before purchasing. These are very abridged, lacking the depth of story line and characters I've come to enjoy in reading the original novels in the '80s and '90s. Overly dramatic narration & presentation with distracting background music. Of no value to this listener.
March 26, 2022
One of the most interesting (although pulpy/campy) espionage stories out there! Special mention to the antagonist character who has to be one of the most legendary villains in 20th century fiction.
June 7, 2020
I remember reading this years back, and I guess it was passable reading at the time. From what I remember of the story though, it isn't what I'd read anymore.
December 23, 2008
The books are great, and I really enjoyed them. Don't try and confuse them with the movies, because they are completely different. When the screen writer wrote the screen play for the first movie he/she stayed pretty close to the book, but the next two movies he/she decided to do whatever they wanted which wasn't staying true to the story line, but oh well... I like the movies, I just want people to understand that they are completely different.
December 11, 2008
When you have to have some brain candy... This series is good to okay. I have to have something to read at night before bed and textbooks don't do it for me...
July 7, 2014
Probably some juvenile imprinting left over from when I first picked these up as a pubescent reader more intent on devouring what my dad - a Green Beret- referred to as "that trash". Ha! He was always trying to tempt me with some non-fiction historical tome or technical manual. I however would not be swayed from my deliciously escapist guilty pleasure of this tragic hero assassin trying to piece together his life in the midst of betrayal all around him. My first introduction to Ludlum. As with any gateway drug, I was hooked! Thru the years I've always had my dog-eared copies of these with me. They are my old friends by now. Familiar, but always a satisfying read for me.
August 3, 2011
Really enjoyed the Bourne books - read them again recently - so much better than the films. Matt Damon does a good job of playing Bourne, but they changed the storeylines far too much for my liking
May 23, 2016
Kind of twisty, but okay.
May 31, 2019
The “book” I read was the Bourne Trilogy, by Robert Ludlum, consisting of 3 stories, which all describe the same character and some of his “experiences”. This book overall, describes some of the missions of David Webb, or Jason Bourne, or Delta (he goes by several names). The story, to the author’s credit, disorients the reader slightly as to the story and what is going on. This is then connected to the muddled thoughts and mind of Webb. Webb (or Bourne) is shot, and thrown into the sea. He is then found without a memory, or anything but a number to a bank account. From there, he continued on to take millions (in US dollars) from an odd bank account, which is linked to a company based in New York called Treadstone 31. This then leads into a story in which a man starts with no sides and no one to turn to. He is alone, disoriented, and confused. He only has his mission as a personality, and the will to survive for some reason. Through this he pushes through adversity, pain, and learns parts of his past.
This book, in my opinion, is the most complex and well written book I’ve ever read. Why? This book takes this character from a blank slate (due to him losing his memory) and allows the author to build him up from nothing. Allowing this helps the author to create the character as the story progresses, letting both his past life and things that were happening to him effect and change the character. This then creates a character which I almost feel as if I grew with, yet still leaves some unknowns and takes influence from his past life in an interesting and encaptivating character. The story, looking past the main character, uses several interesting settings which they explore fully, using every noted detail to influence the story. Such an instance is when one of the characters interacts with a random bystander, as he is attempting to scope out an area. The encounter goes as follows; “Pardon, monsieur!’ exclaimed the embarrassed hero of France, unconsciously slipping into his native tongue. ‘Je regrette - that is to say, it is I who must be excused.’
‘Oh?’ At his word the stranger’s eyes briefly widened, almost as if there were recognition in them quickly hidden. ‘Not at all.’
‘Pardon, we have met monsieur?’
‘I don’t believe so,’ replied the old man in the silly white cap. ‘But we’ve all heard the rumors. A great French hero is among the guests.’
‘Foolishness. The accidents of war when we were all much younger. My name is Fontaine. Jean Pierre Fontaine.’
‘Mines’s… Patrick. Brendan Patrick --’ …
‘Again the stranger seemed to be studying him, thought Fontaine, yet oddly enough avoiding any prolonged eye contact.’”
This seemingly random encounter was actually revealed to be the confirmation and monitoring of one of the main villain's men who was sent to kill Bourne’s wife and children in an attempt to break him. Similar to this, other details were added to the story which then showed up later in the book as an important turning point. This really tied together the story and helped to connect the somewhat disorienting plot from a mess of jigsaw pieces to start to a beautiful scene at the end of the book. Finally, as to the lore and plot of the story, it was well thought out with what originally seemed to be plot holes or random events being answered later in the story (similar to the event mentioned above), as well as having a well thought out lore and world which is slowly revealed as Jason gains back his memory to show a network of different people, organizations, world events, and many other things to shape the world in which the story takes place in. Overall, the only issue I encountered was that of the disorientation, as the plot was hard to piece together at times. However, this may have simply been my reading ability. This book was well written and thought out, as well as interesting and really pulled you into a new world.
This book, in my opinion, is the most complex and well written book I’ve ever read. Why? This book takes this character from a blank slate (due to him losing his memory) and allows the author to build him up from nothing. Allowing this helps the author to create the character as the story progresses, letting both his past life and things that were happening to him effect and change the character. This then creates a character which I almost feel as if I grew with, yet still leaves some unknowns and takes influence from his past life in an interesting and encaptivating character. The story, looking past the main character, uses several interesting settings which they explore fully, using every noted detail to influence the story. Such an instance is when one of the characters interacts with a random bystander, as he is attempting to scope out an area. The encounter goes as follows; “Pardon, monsieur!’ exclaimed the embarrassed hero of France, unconsciously slipping into his native tongue. ‘Je regrette - that is to say, it is I who must be excused.’
‘Oh?’ At his word the stranger’s eyes briefly widened, almost as if there were recognition in them quickly hidden. ‘Not at all.’
‘Pardon, we have met monsieur?’
‘I don’t believe so,’ replied the old man in the silly white cap. ‘But we’ve all heard the rumors. A great French hero is among the guests.’
‘Foolishness. The accidents of war when we were all much younger. My name is Fontaine. Jean Pierre Fontaine.’
‘Mines’s… Patrick. Brendan Patrick --’ …
‘Again the stranger seemed to be studying him, thought Fontaine, yet oddly enough avoiding any prolonged eye contact.’”
This seemingly random encounter was actually revealed to be the confirmation and monitoring of one of the main villain's men who was sent to kill Bourne’s wife and children in an attempt to break him. Similar to this, other details were added to the story which then showed up later in the book as an important turning point. This really tied together the story and helped to connect the somewhat disorienting plot from a mess of jigsaw pieces to start to a beautiful scene at the end of the book. Finally, as to the lore and plot of the story, it was well thought out with what originally seemed to be plot holes or random events being answered later in the story (similar to the event mentioned above), as well as having a well thought out lore and world which is slowly revealed as Jason gains back his memory to show a network of different people, organizations, world events, and many other things to shape the world in which the story takes place in. Overall, the only issue I encountered was that of the disorientation, as the plot was hard to piece together at times. However, this may have simply been my reading ability. This book was well written and thought out, as well as interesting and really pulled you into a new world.
July 20, 2022
The movies were the best thing that ever happened to this character. The first three extracted the essence and upped Bourne's abilities to near-immortal status, packed in plenty of shaky-cam car chases and close quarters combat. The central amnesiac premise was given just enough cover, and the quasi-romantic element gave Matt Damon something to lose.
None of that exists here because Ludlum is such a weak writer. He has none of John D. MacDonalds's wit or cynicism, none of the elegant plot and meticulous research of LeCarre. As for the immortal assassin, nobody has ever come close to Trevanian's Shibumi for depth, realism, place, and plot.
No, what you're reading here is a hack along the lines of Louis L'Amour or Tom Clancy, a man with an outline and no skill whatever. This trilogy reads like a lesson in how not to write a political thriller. Repetitious, confusing, yet shallow, it manages to meander all over the place without ever imparting a sense of tension because we don't give a shit about anyone in it.
Do yourself a favor and read some Elmore Leonard instead. That man could write. Bob Ludlum could not.
None of that exists here because Ludlum is such a weak writer. He has none of John D. MacDonalds's wit or cynicism, none of the elegant plot and meticulous research of LeCarre. As for the immortal assassin, nobody has ever come close to Trevanian's Shibumi for depth, realism, place, and plot.
No, what you're reading here is a hack along the lines of Louis L'Amour or Tom Clancy, a man with an outline and no skill whatever. This trilogy reads like a lesson in how not to write a political thriller. Repetitious, confusing, yet shallow, it manages to meander all over the place without ever imparting a sense of tension because we don't give a shit about anyone in it.
Do yourself a favor and read some Elmore Leonard instead. That man could write. Bob Ludlum could not.
July 10, 2017
Overall, the book could be entertaining. There were times when characters were speaking in French. Since I don't speak French and these conversations were not translated, I have no idea what they were saying at the time. Personally, I found this annoying. I also find it annoying when characters are professing their undying love after knowing each other for two days. My ability to follow action in the written form is limited. So I found that I would skip through a lot of these parts. Ultimately, I think I probably would have enjoyed this book a bit more if I knew nothing about the movies. But it was a good read.
March 25, 2021
2.5 stars
Not the most exciting book I've read. I would say stick to the films, but the books are totally different to the films.
There's quite a lot of words & phrases in the book not written in english. As they aren't translated, I couldn't understand them.
If you are going to read this book, buy the books separately, don't buy the trilogy book. I bought it online without seeing it, the book is massive, it's like carrying around a yellow pages with you.
Not the most exciting book I've read. I would say stick to the films, but the books are totally different to the films.
There's quite a lot of words & phrases in the book not written in english. As they aren't translated, I couldn't understand them.
If you are going to read this book, buy the books separately, don't buy the trilogy book. I bought it online without seeing it, the book is massive, it's like carrying around a yellow pages with you.
December 3, 2021
Robert Ludlum is a word smith, crafting a story that will keep you up all night. His well developed characters are so vivid you feel as though you would recognize them if you should spot them on the street. I have actually thought someone I met looked like one of Ludlum's fictional characters from his books before and fortunately kept that to myself. This trilogy is so tight and intelligently crafted it reminds me of the good old days of the Cold War spy thrillers.
October 2, 2022
Best book ever. Robert Ludlum is quite a genius to have created a character like Jason Bourne. The book is loaded with intense emotions - pain, hatred, jealousy, and unstoppable madness. Just when you think that the end is close unforeseen complications arise and the events catapult out of control. Detailed, crisp writing keep the interest tight and in place throughout the 3 books. A must-read for everyone. Bourne, I must say is the finest fictional creation ever.
March 19, 2024
First of all it's really, really heavy and awkward to read in bed (I do most of mine there) especially at both ends of the trilogy.
So, The Bourne Identity is pretty good, it gets down to action soon and is engaging and usually fast moving. The drawbacks are the constant flashbacks to Bourne's training/brainwashing which become repetitive and then annoying. I found the development of the love interest a bit too fast, unbelievable even, and the language used between the two cloying and at odd with the rest of the novel.
Then there's The Bourne Supremacy which I find badly written. It's so hard to follow with all the different characters not being memorable when first introduced, despite very lengthy and, I think unnecessary blogs which therefore become unrecognisable when mentioned later. Then there are the various twists and turns which I also find unnecessary and tedious. I really wanted to finish this part and ended up recognising the beginnings of the filler so skimmed or even skipped over whole pages to get back to the actual action.
And then we get to The Bourne Ultimatum which is even worse than the Supremacy for the same reasons with the added "attraction" of what appears to be comedy, especially when we get to the island. The last 200 pages or so are really, really hard to plough through. It's like a very unenjoyable marathon and I rather thing that Ludlum was not really enthused about writing at this point.
The last 200 pages or so were just so hard to get through even while skipping large chunks of contrived twists and turns. I was so glad to finally finish it.
So, The Bourne Identity is pretty good, it gets down to action soon and is engaging and usually fast moving. The drawbacks are the constant flashbacks to Bourne's training/brainwashing which become repetitive and then annoying. I found the development of the love interest a bit too fast, unbelievable even, and the language used between the two cloying and at odd with the rest of the novel.
Then there's The Bourne Supremacy which I find badly written. It's so hard to follow with all the different characters not being memorable when first introduced, despite very lengthy and, I think unnecessary blogs which therefore become unrecognisable when mentioned later. Then there are the various twists and turns which I also find unnecessary and tedious. I really wanted to finish this part and ended up recognising the beginnings of the filler so skimmed or even skipped over whole pages to get back to the actual action.
And then we get to The Bourne Ultimatum which is even worse than the Supremacy for the same reasons with the added "attraction" of what appears to be comedy, especially when we get to the island. The last 200 pages or so are really, really hard to plough through. It's like a very unenjoyable marathon and I rather thing that Ludlum was not really enthused about writing at this point.
The last 200 pages or so were just so hard to get through even while skipping large chunks of contrived twists and turns. I was so glad to finally finish it.
May 30, 2025
Sure sure they’re not like the movies, but that’s not my problem. My problem is there’s so mango things going on it’s hard to keep up, that they kept alternating between like four names for Jason Bourne himself, and that the story itself felt like it was directionless. I felt like I completely wasted my time reading these books, and the only upside was it’s finally over. I hope the reboots are better because I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone.
June 11, 2020
One of the extremely rare instances where the films are better than the books. Having loved the Bourne trilogy of films I was really looking forward to the books but the name is where the similarities end, they have virtually nothing in common. The last book in particular was a real slog to get through.
August 23, 2024
I first read this series when the first book came out in 1980 and picked the kindle version up on sale. The style of writing hasn’t really held up to today – it was very laborious and overly complex and hard to get into the plot because the dialogue goes on and on and on: it seemed as if I was just slogging along hour after hour and eventually I stopped. $25 down the drain!
February 21, 2021
Good not Great
This book was good not great. The action and espionage was easier to follow than Supremacy, but it dragged. The story could have ended much sooner. All in all still a good and exciting read and somewhat satisfying ending to the series by Ludlum.
This book was good not great. The action and espionage was easier to follow than Supremacy, but it dragged. The story could have ended much sooner. All in all still a good and exciting read and somewhat satisfying ending to the series by Ludlum.
February 24, 2021
Jasón Bourne Series
This series is amazing. I truly recommend it. If you want thrilling spy books filled with excitement and lots of risks and adventure you have to read these books.
This series is amazing. I truly recommend it. If you want thrilling spy books filled with excitement and lots of risks and adventure you have to read these books.
December 10, 2017
book 1, 5*, 2 was 3 *, 3 was 2 *. dragged on way too long with Carlos and each book was progressively worse
March 1, 2018
Read this in the 80s... re-read it in 2016. I remember it being MUCH better in the 80s.
December 6, 2019
AUDIO BOOK.. Liked movie better
July 19, 2020
Adoro questa saga!! Impareggiabile! Anche il film è bello! Ma il libro di più! Storia incalzante e piena di colpi di scena, molto dinamica, proprio come piace a me.
July 27, 2020
Brilliant stories of adventure in Europe.
October 26, 2020
Good book. Different than the movies.
December 1, 2020
Perfect for anyone with a desire for the double/triple crossing nature of the life of a spy. Just so much going on and a real thrill to read.
January 4, 2021
fun, page turner
February 20, 2021
a Favorite author
Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews