The Bourne Ultimatum

A Novel

By: Robert Ludlum

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 29 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

The world's two deadliest spies in the ultimate showdown.

At a small-town carnival two men, each mysteriously summoned by telegram, witness a bizarre killing. The telegrams are signed Jason Bourne. Only they know Bourne's true identity and understand the telegram is really a message from Bourne's mortal enemy, Carlos, known also as the Jackal, the world's deadliest and most elusive terrorist. And furthermore, they know that the Jackal wants: a final confrontation with Bourne.

Now David Webb, professor of Oriental studies, husband, and father, must do what he hoped he would never have to do again: assume the terrible identity of Jason Bourne. His plan is simple: to infiltrate the politically and economically Medusan group and use himself as bait to lure the cunning Jackal into a deadly trap, a trap from which only one of them will escape.

©1993 Robert Ludlum (P)2009 Random House

Critic reviews

"Vintage Ludlum." ( The Cleveland Plain Dealer)

Was a 5 star until the last three hours

Ludlum does not do Romance well. Spy craft and action really👍👍👍 Romance👎👎👎 Definitely not a harlequin romance writer

Action packed

This audiobook has you on your feet every second. From the beginning of the book to the end. From Jason Bourne to David Webb you have two sides of one person story. I can’t recommend this enough.

Was the Movie supposed to be based on this book?

I agree with some of what has been written but I still felt that this was a good purchase for me. There were so many story lines it sometimes got a little confusing I'm still not sure of what happened with one of them. (Will not spoil here) After the book I decided to rent the movie. Do not get the two confused, they have nothing in common except the man named Bourne. And the movie was REALLY bad! Talk about a waste of money.
I digress, as for the Narrator, Scott Brick is my favorite and I feel he did a fine job considering how many story lines he was trying to cover. As for his slow speech I feel like that is his style and I had no problem with it.
This is a long book, it was not a one afternoon listen but if you have a long drive, or can spread it out over several days I feel it was a good listen for a while then take a break.
You may need to take notes while you listen to keep up with all of the branches on the story but overall I felt like this was a decent book. Much better then some I have listened to.

Worst Bourne Book!

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

NOPE! Jason Bourne was written as a complete jerk in this book. I've listen to several in this series and enjoyed them, but this one was pretty awful because of Jason. It was gratuitous and basically just nasty.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Might even have to take a break from books. Really hated this one.

Which scene was your favorite?

When the narrator said "The End."

Was The Bourne Ultimatum worth the listening time?

No.

Any additional comments?

Please listen to some of the others in the Bourne series. I'm not sure what happened here, but it's not indicative of the enjoyment of the others.

Way way too long

Only scott brick delivery of story saved this book

I’ve listened 3 times now and first time made it to end

Excellent

Great story and awesome performance on the reading. I have always enjoyed the Bourne trilogy and this definitely helped pass the time while driving to work and back.

Another good one by Ludlum

Enjoyed the last one as much as the other two. So much going on in this book. Jason is older and wiser - but so are his enemies. Great narration again by Brick - after the first two, could not imagine anyone else as Jason- or even any of the other characters that Brick is able to deliver.

Overall, would reccomend.

Great book. Additionally, Scott Brick does such a phenomenal job that I will seek out more audio books narrated by him regardless of their genre.

Again, nothing like what I expected

I enjoyed this book very much. I was not expecting the story line as again, I had only seen the movies. It was a very enjoyable book

The best bourne book by Ludlum

Would you consider the audio edition of The Bourne Ultimatum to be better than the print version?

Yes!

What other book might you compare The Bourne Ultimatum to and why?

This book doesn't come close to any other book I have listened to. This book by far has more twists and turns, you just can't stop listening.

Which character – as performed by Scott Brick – was your favorite?

I love Brick's performance of Bourne and his handler.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes!