The Robert Ludlum Value Collection

The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy, The Bourne Ultimatum

By: Robert Ludlum

Narrated by: Darren McGavin

Length: 8 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

The Bourne Identity: He is a man with an unknown past and an uncertain future. A man dragged from the sea riddled with bullets, his face altered by plastic surgery - a man bearing the dubious identity of Jason Bourne. Now he is running for his life, the target of professional assassins, at the center of a maddening deadly puzzle. Who is Jason Bourne? To answer that question, he must find the secret buried deep in his own past. And the only one who can help him is a beautiful stranger - the woman who once would do anything to escape him.

The Bourne Supremecy: The Vice Premier of the People's Republic of China is brutally slain in a Kowloon cabaret, and all the clues point to the legendary assassin, Jason Bourne. But Bourne never existed! The name was created as a cover for ace agent David Webb on his search for the notorious killer Carlos. Now someone else has resurrected the Bourne identity, and Webb is forced to use his murderous skills to stop him. Because once again, like a nightmare relived, the woman he loves is suddenly torn from his life. To find her, to trap his own imposter, Webb must launch a desperate odyssey into the killing fields of international espionage.

The Bourne Ultimatum: Thirteen years have passed since David Webb was last forced to assume the alias of the assassin Jason Bourne. Thirteen blissfully peaceful years: time enough to raise a family with his wife Marie, time enough to begin to put the violence and betrayal of the past behind him. Now with one phone call Webb is thrust back into the madness. His greatest enemy, Carlos, is hunting again - determined to stalk and eliminate the one man whose reputation as an assassin approaches his own, a determination that promises pain and death for David Webb and those who mean the world to him.

©2005 Robert Ludlum (P)2005 Random House Audio

What a waste of credit

If I hadn't watched and been a fan of the Bourne Series, I'd never watch the movies after listening to this over dramatic, incoherent and confusing book narration. I know Robert Ludlum is an excellent writer, this is not his doing.

Since I have listened to the entire collection (the three books), I can't really ask for my credit. This was a waste of credit. I kept hoping that the narration and the story would get better, but it doesn't.

The stupid background music, the unabridged nature of the storyline, the over dramatic style of the storyteller. This guy makes Bourne look like an idiot, not the super-slick, cool and confident killer that he is. the story is too confusing, too many characters, too many disconnects.


Please take this garbage (this three-pack collection) off the shelves and refund the customers' their money. I'd recommend listening to the Gray Man series by Mark Greaney. Now that is a book you cannot put down once you start reading.

Bourne Mediocrity

Narration was excellent but the story line is ridiculous, security non-existent. Bourne was an impetuous hot head with few real skills. The villain was the only truly impressive character. Couldn't wait fir it to end.

Incomprehensible

The abridged version lends to choppy an incoherent storyline. Distracting musical score that plays over the reader.

Not worth it.

So disappointing. I was really excited to get one of my favorite series, but was upset I did not read the reviews or listen to the sample. It is 'extremely' abridged. It is like they created this version to play on the radio. I do not mind abridged, but it has to keep the same flow and give some narrative. This plays like an old time radio show with the dialogue between characters serving for the narrative through much of the book. Also, the sound effects and music distract from the flow and the story. I have a hard time getting into the book with what I see as distracting background noise interference. I would like to see a better version that is not so 'dramatic' and not so abridged.

Way to short of a listen for a classic....

The narrator was great but its an impossible task to cram three great books into 8 hrs. I listen while I am driving and cannot concentrate 100%. the story moved so fast but I had to go back often to figure out where I was in the story. This Abridged version does not do the near Raider, the author or The Listener any justice.

The rare case of the movie being better than the book.

I was as excited as a puppy with two tails when I finally came across the Bourne collection. That excitement quickly turned into complete dismay about 15 minutes into the first book. Why they decided to add cheesy soap opera music and sound effects I can only but wonder. The narrator tried his best but, he could only do so much. Also, the volume rises and falls at its own will.

Sad sad

Narrator was boring his speech hard to listen to, even my dog wouldn’t listen, he would leave the room

very condensed

this is a very condensed version there is a lot of detail missing from book

Background music was distracting

The background music included for dramatic effect was distracting, but the narration was good. Also there was no distinction in the track list between books and chapters, only a long list of chapters.

What the heck is this?

The performance was so difficult to listen to mainly because the narrator over emotes to the point of comedy. It was terrible