The Sigma Protocol

By: Robert Ludlum

Narrated by: Paul Michael

Length: 19 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

Do you think you know what really happened after World War II? You don't. Sigma made sure of that.

American investment banker Ben Hartman arrives in Zurich, the first time he's been back to Switzerland since his twin brother died there in a tragic accident four years ago. But when Ben chances upon Jimmy Cavanaugh, an old college friend, Cavanaugh draws a gun and tries to kill him. In minutes, several innocent bystanders are dead, as well as Cavanaugh, and Ben is on the run, plunged into an unspeakable nightmare.

U.S. Department of Justice field agent Anna Navarro is being stalked by a relentless killer, managing to survive only by a combination of luck, skill, and her own quick wits. The attacks on her are somehow related to her current assignment: investigating the sudden, seemingly unrelated deaths of a number of very old men around the world. The only thing that connects them is an ancient CIA file bearing the code word Sigma.

Brought together by accident, Ben and Anna realize that their only hope of survival lies with each other. Together they race to uncover the long-hidden diabolical secrets of Sigma - secrets that threaten everything they think they know, everything they believed about their friends and families, everything they were taught about history itself. For behind Sigma lies a vast deception that is finally coming to fruition - and the fate of the world is in their hands.

©2001 by Myn Pyn LLC (P)2001 by Audio Renaissance, an Imprint of Renaissance Media, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Ludlum's trademark skills of intricate plotting, breakneck pacing, and high-wire drama are all on display in this gripping thriller." (Amazon.com)
"A memorable swan song." (Booklist)

Sigma Protocol

Normally I have enjoyed this author but this book is too outlandish to really get into. "The secret business organization that controls the world!" Not only that, they know everything, do anything and know what their quary is doing at all times. 2 1/2 stars is more realistic for this novel.

Way too proud of his language skills I grew tired of the stop. Would not recommend this book

A major disappointment It seems the author made the book a document of foreign language skills

A great read

I will not be surprised if the story is true, there are alot of facts pointing to the truth of this story, except with a different flavor. A very engaging story, as I heard it on my way back and forth to work. Being an analytical and picky reader, two thumbs up to the author.

The best of Ludlum!

This is one of Ludlum's fastest-paced, best reads. Paul Michael again is simply the best!

Average

This was my 3rd encounter with a Ludlum book and it reads just like the first two. While engaging and exciting, the end left me wanting something a bit more original than the ususal gift-wrap, disney ending. If you are happy enough with the Cussler/Ludlum/Koontz serial novels then you will likely enjoy this one just fine.

Absolutely awesome thriller

2 different characters in different circumstances and how they come together to finish the story and the climax is just perfect spot on.
As usual the narration is the best and makes you enjoy the book. Its like watching a movie!!

Not Ludlum's Best

While an intriguing story, there are too many pro globo-homo talking points worked into this story. The heroes are all minorities, gays, and jews, while the villains are all of white European descent. It's pretty standard dribble boomers should love.

Worst book I have ever heard.

I have only myself to blame for listing to this book in it's entirety. The story line is far fetched, disjoined and simply unrealistic. I can't believe the guy who wrote the Jason Borne books is the same person that wrote this piece of trash. I have asked myself over and over how did he write so many words without at least having a bit of a believable storyline. You have to give it to him, that took more talent than if he had written a good book.

2-D Characters Eliminate Any Interest In Story

Why does Mr. Ludlum require his characters to be saints? Not only is the main male protagonist "burdened" by his wealth and ashamed of his pampered lifestyle, he is also the great-white savior of inner-city school children. And his main female protagonist has nobly overcome the hardships of poverty in some generic achievement of the American Dream. Don't his characters have any human flaws, such as lust, selfishness, jealousy, greed, pettiness or just a mix of disdain and love for friends, family and themselves? It would be more powerful to see an ordinary being tested by worldwide plots instead of the constant flow of saints conquering sinners. The world is gray, except in Mr. Ludlum's novels.

hugely disappointing

struggled to listen, often laughed out loud at the ridiculous plot and characters
Ludlum should have stopped writing before this book