Rating: 
Summary: Incredible book
Review: I picked up the Bourne Identity because I was looking for a book to read and saw the previews for the movie. As soon as I read the first page I couldn't put the book down. Ludlum knows how to write and grips you from the first words to the last words. The book combines facts with fiction and leaves you wondering about what was truth and what wasn't, along with a number of other things. The book is too complicated to even begin to go into, with plot twists almost every chapter. One page you think Bourne is one person, then by the next page you are convinced he is someone else. The during the next chapter you KNOW who he is, only to find out you were completely wrong the next chapter. All in all, this is one of the best books I have ever read. The movie, however, only shares the title and a few minor details with the book. Bourne doesn't even hold the same identity at the end of the movie as he does in the book. But the book is a great read.
Rating:
Summary: Heart-Stopper!
Review: Ludlum is master of the roller-coaster, only this ride never goes down. I finished it and immediately began recommending it to friends and family, even for those whom I know read other types of work. This was my first Ludlum book, and I will continue to dive into his work with eagerness.
Rating:
Summary: THE MOST SUSPENSEFUL ACTION-PACKED BOOK YOU'LL EVER READ!
Review: I usually do not purchase books of this genre (i.e. action/suspense), but I decided to buy this one because the commercials for the movie looked great. I had no idea when I opened the cover to this book that it would be one that I could not put down or stop reading. I am thoroughly impressed with Ludlum's ability to pack so much action into literally every page of this book. It may seem intimidating, being a 500+ page book, but I was able to finish it in a week and a half. The story is constantly twisting and turning, and you are left wondering what will happen next at the end of each chapter.All in all, I would highly recommend this book to ANYONE even remotely interested in this genre of books, or even in the film. Robert Ludlum truly proves himself to be a talented author above many others.
Rating:
Summary: Intelligent Plot - Nonstop Action/Suspense
Review: This is the only book by Robert Ludlum that I've read, largely because of the Bourne Identity movie that has just been released. Let me first say that I loved both of them, though they are really two completely separate stories. The first 5 minutes of the movie is faithful to the book and then literally nothing else is, which does not invalidate the movie. It was an excellent story in its own right. However, the plot isn't even the same, except that it does involve a government worker who loses his memory and is being hunted by groups of assassins. The book tells the story of Jason Bourne who is a supposed international assassin whose skills rival that of Carlos the Jackal, the primary assassin in the world. Carlos is a shadowy figure who is sending out his armies of killers to deal with Jason, who he views as competition. At the same time, the government is trying to get to Bourne, though we don't know whether their intentions are good or bad. His love interest, Maria, is an academic scholar from Canada with many connections who Bourne first kidnaps and terrorizes, and then ultimately saves from rape and murder, thus creating their relationship which later turns to love. Maria helps Bourne make his way through the narrow streets of Europe and New York, as well as the unremembered corridors of his missing past. All along the way, people continue to try and kill them, thus causing Jason to use his combat and stealth skills to survive. He doesn't know where these skills come from, but he's working to find out. The end of this story is not something that you expect. It's very complex, but also extremely engrossing. I couldn't put it down. I'm not sure why the Carlos character was taken out of the movie (it would have made it even better, in my opinion), but perhaps it was to make the story more streamlined and easier to follow. Whichever the case, both the book and the movie are very good. The book gets a bit higher rating because it's ther original and has ultimately the more intelligent storyline. But if you've seen the movie and you're one of those people who don't like to read a book after you've seen the movie, don't worry in this case. I promise you they are absolutely different. You can safely pick up this book and not know the ending or the plot. You can enjoy this book just like anyone else who hasn't seen the movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Ludlum is one of the few genius story tellers
Review: Ludlum's spy thriller incaptivated me. The confusion involved with not knowing the actual identity of Jason Bourne until the end added to the intrigue of the book. There was not a single page where I found myself bored. Ludlum definitely has the talent to compare with the renowned authors such as J.R.R. Tolkein. Reading his novel was like reading a modern day Agatha Christie mystery.
While the movie looks good, I'd reccommend that everyone read the book. Movies are just never the same.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting concept but ....
Review: I was drawn to this book after seeing trailers for the upcoming movie, and googling Ludlum online (I had heard of him before, but never pursued further) led me to several thrilling endorsements based on his frequent bestseller status (though we all know that bestseller status frequently does not equate to quality of writing). After reading it, I would like to concur with the other 3-star review I saw here. In spite of the fact that the story in itself is intriguing, I nevertheless found the writing to be almost juvenile in style. Not to say, that this was poor writing, but it certainly was not more than a few cuts above pulp. Nonetheless, for an occasional guilty pleasure of a read, it will suffice just as a occasionally, I find myself watching the USA network on TV late night.
Rating:
Summary: Finished at 2:20 AM
Review: This was a real page turner. I stayed up until 2:20 AM to finish it. That says a lot. I am not usually a big fan of spy novels. This may be the first I've ever read, and it was great. With the movie coming to theaters soon, I thought I'd get a head start on the story. It was great!! One of the rules of good story writing is for the protagonist to know what his go al is, what's driving him to the climax of the story. In this case, the protagonist starts off not only now knowing what he wants, he doesn't know who he is. And we, the readers gradually learn, along with him, not only who he is, but also what he needs to do. This is an artfully crafted novel which you won't want to put down. Needless to say, I'll be reading more Robert Ludlum.
Rating:
Summary: The Bourne Identity - Revisited
Review: I first read this book nearly 20 years ago and was mesmerized. As I read about Jason Bourne I had a motion picture star in mind that I imagined playing the part in a movie. I was so disappointed when a TV movie came out with some wimp playing the lead role. After seeing a trailer about the upcoming movie, I started cleaning out closets looking for my copy of the Bourne Identity. It is still a remarkable read after all these years and I am looking forward to seeing the movie with someone in the role that could be believable. I have read most of Robert Ludlum's novels and this one is my favorite.
Rating:
Summary: Boatswain's Mate is better.
Review: I recently read Boatswain's Mate by Pat Johnston and found it to be more interesting than The Bourne Identity. It's faster paced and the characters are more believable. It's a down to earth Navy story with fewer twists and turns but more action. Maybe Bourne Identity will work better as a movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Maybe the book is better
Review: I heard the audio book. Its pretty boring. I hear that the actual book is good. hmm. Maybe i missed something. Ill wait until the movie comes out i think.
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