The Bourne Legacy

By: Eric Van Lustbader

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 18 hrs

Publisher's summary

In Robert Ludlum's ground-breaking career, no other character so captured the world's imagination as Jason Bourne. He appeared in three of Robert Ludlum's own #1 bestselling novels, his bestselling works to this day. Now, with the major motion picture adaptation of Ludlum's The Bourne Supremacy, the Ludlum estate has finally acceded to the demands of readers and listeners around the world, turning to bestselling writer Eric Van Lustbader to create a brand-new Jason Bourne novel, The Bourne Legacy.

Jason Bourne, international assassin of deadly repute, was an identity assumed by covert agent David Webb. Retired from the CIA and now a professor at Georgetown University, Webb's life is finally his own—until he becomes the target of an assassin and is framed for the murder of his two closest associates. Fighting for his life against unseen assailants, the Bourne identity asserts itself, leaving Jason Bourne in control. Barely a half-step ahead of his nemesis and the CIA, who believes he has gone rogue, Bourne finds himself a pawn in a larger, far deadlier game.

©2004 The Estate of Robert Ludlum (P)2004 Audio Renaissance, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishers, LLC and Books on Tape, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Scott Brick is one of the fastest-rising stars in the audiobook galaxy. His understated approach to each book serves him well, and whether he is handling a roomful of Russian generals or a series of dizzying scene changes, the listener stays with him for every word." (AudioFile)

Sucks!

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

written by Robert Ludlum

What was most disappointing about Eric Van Lustbader’s story?

written by Robert Ludlum

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Scott Brick?

written by Robert Ludlum

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

written by Robert Ludlum

Any additional comments?

written by Robert Ludlum

Nowhere near Robert Ludlum

The are too many plot holes. There’s too much bad writing. Plus, it’s very predictable.

Not so great

Well, have you ever regretted not downloading the abridged version? That's how I feel about this. The author is just too long-winded in what he probably considers to be character development. I just found it bordering on drivel. Also, two more points: Many of those oh-so-colorful metaphors simply don't work or come across as very forced. And: Get the facts right! Why can't writers research a little bit before they write? With my aviation background, the airplane scenes really are totally ridiculous. "He slammed the door shut" - a cargo door? On a transcontinental, pressurized cargo airplane in flight? Jeeze!

A disappointing & boring book

I found this book to be very boring, so much so that by the time I was almost half way through it I stopped listening to it and gave up. I chose this book because I enjoyed listening to Bourne Betrayal and had read that this book was so much like Robert Ludlum's writing. I think it is nothing like Robert. Ludlum's writing as he was not boring like this garbage. I think if you want to read Robert Ludlum do it, but don't expect that Eric Van Lustbader is anything like him, because he is not most of the time.

Not up to MY expectations...

Years ago I discovered Robert Ludlum's works about Jason Bourne in paperback, and literally devoured them one at a time, enjoying every word. Times have changed, and today, I find myself listening to most all of my "reading". Maybe I was expecting too much, but after not enjoying the movie (not much of a surprise), I am unable to listen to this book past the first half of the first file. The reader drones on and on with little emotion, pretty much following the ersatz storyline, whatever that is, featuring characters that are confusing to say the least. (I restarted the book three times to get an idea of who was who) Pretty much a bust compared to the Jack Reacher series... This book reminds me of listening to a lecture on a subject of no interest. However, you may find that it fits YOUR taste...

Horrible story that is poorly written

**Book Spoilers**

First, If someone writes a book about law enforcement, the author should contact someone in law enforcement to see if what they wrote is even close to believable.

The story is based on Jason being the suspect in the killing his best friend, Conklin. The agency believe he’s be planned this for a long time. With that said, he’s the prime suspect because he left his vehicle in the driveway of the house where the murder occurred. He left his fingerprints on a glass in the house. Isn’t Bourne supposed to be the best agent around? So you have the best agent planning a murder and he’s leaves his car and fingerprints at the scene? Then the CIA still think he planned the murder? I think even someone that has never been to an investigation school could see this is a setup.

In every case where Bourne is being chased by, supposedly by the top agents, there’s never a helicopter, dogs, and anything that would be actually used in a law enforcement search. What about setting up a perimeter before going in to get him? No the CIA isn’t smart enough to do that.

There’s another part in the book when Bourne discovers the last phone call Conklin made. He goes to that location and locates the person Conklin contacted. The person believes Bourne killed Conklin so he’s able to call the agency on Conklin’s private phone line. Then instead of just diverting Bourne’s attention and wait for the agency to arrive, he tells Bourne he called the agency and they’re on there way to get him. But of course before they arrive, he believes Bourne is innocent but the CIA still doesn’t but they can’t add two and two.

The author also add a few typical cheap fillers that are added when you can't come up with a new story: The CIA and local law enforcement don’t like each other; a guy in the CIA will use anyone to get ahead; the CIA and the other countries’ security service units don’t work together because they all think they’re better.

I couldn’t finish the book.

great storyline, but profanity is way too frequent

The storyline and action is fantastic, but the profanity is amazingly frequent, with JC and GD galore...I had to quit the book after only a few chapters due to the frequency.

Not Real Ludlum

Lot's of pain -- for the hapless Jason Bourne and unfortunately for the listener as well. This is not real Ludlum. It's so predictable you could listen to the first and last chapters and have it all. I'm sorry I wasted my time with this leaden bomb.