Helpful Score: 1
I have loved Ludlum's books from the first one I read which was "The Bourne Identity." "The Janson Directive" is a fast-paced political thriller that kept me wanting to turn the page long after I should have been asleep.
The protagonist, Paul Janson, a legend in the U.S. covert agency Consular Operations, is a man haunted by what he witnessed while in Vietnam under his commanding officer Alan Demarest. However, he continues to serve his country and is recruited to rescue kidnapped Peter Novak, Nobel laureate, billionaire, international financier, and philanthropist. What starts as a rescue mission is simply the tip of the iceberg in what happens in Janson's quest to bring Novak back to safety.
This book takes you all over the map geographically and emotionally and is a gripping read. If you are into political thrillers, assassins, intrigue, and conspiricies, then I highly recommend this book. It's a must read.
The protagonist, Paul Janson, a legend in the U.S. covert agency Consular Operations, is a man haunted by what he witnessed while in Vietnam under his commanding officer Alan Demarest. However, he continues to serve his country and is recruited to rescue kidnapped Peter Novak, Nobel laureate, billionaire, international financier, and philanthropist. What starts as a rescue mission is simply the tip of the iceberg in what happens in Janson's quest to bring Novak back to safety.
This book takes you all over the map geographically and emotionally and is a gripping read. If you are into political thrillers, assassins, intrigue, and conspiricies, then I highly recommend this book. It's a must read.
I would recommend this book highly to anyone that likes "shoot-em-ups" and Robert Ludlum books.
Ludlum just keeps them coming. I've read them all. Some of them, I need to read 2 or 3 times to understand what is really going on, but man, they make you think!
good thriller, fast-paced
Ludlum is always great.
A typical Ludlum book. Nonstop thrills from the first page to the last. There are plots within plots and of course some really nasty bad guys that need to be put out of business. A great read.
Typical Ludlum thriller
A case where things come back to bite you. Robert Ludlum at his best.
Very good - similiar to the Bourne Series
A thrilling, engrossing read.
Good read. Action Thriller.
covert one novel so it is full of action, not as much character development as i would like but its ok
from the back of book.... Nobel laureate, international financier, and philanthropist Peter Novak - a billionaire who has committed his life and fortune to fostering democracy around the world through his Liberty Foundation - has been kidnapped. The terrorist known as The Caliph is holding Novak in a near-impenetrable fortress and has refused to negotiate for his release, planning instead to brutally execute his hostage in a matter of days....
One heck of a thriller................loaded with all the intrigue, paranoia, and real-life parallels that made Ludlum famous.
Gripping......robust writing and a breakneck pace.
Gripping......robust writing and a breakneck pace.
Denell W. (Chitimacha-Princess) reviewed The Janson Directive (Janson, Bk 1) on + 586 more book reviews
Back Cover:
"THE JANSON DIRECTIVE
Nobel laureate, international financier, and philanthropist Peter Novak--a billionaire who has committed his life and fortune to fostering democracy around the world through his Liberty Foundation--has been kidnapped. The terrorist known as the Caliph is holding Novak in a near impenetrable fortress and has refused to negotiate for his release, planning instead to brutally execute his hostage in a matter of days...
Running out of time and hope, Novak's people turn to a man with a long history of defeating impossible odds: Paul Janson--a legend in the notorious U.S. covert agency Consular Operations. Janson sets in motion an ingenious rescue operation. But the operation goes horribly wrong and Janson is marked for death, the target of a 'beyond salvage' order issued from the highest level of the government. Now Janson is running for his life, pursued by Jessica Kincaid, a young agent of astonishing ability who can anticipate and counter his every move. To survive, Janson must outrace a conspiracy that has gone beyond the control of its originators. To win, he must counter it with a conspiracy of his own..."
"THE JANSON DIRECTIVE
Nobel laureate, international financier, and philanthropist Peter Novak--a billionaire who has committed his life and fortune to fostering democracy around the world through his Liberty Foundation--has been kidnapped. The terrorist known as the Caliph is holding Novak in a near impenetrable fortress and has refused to negotiate for his release, planning instead to brutally execute his hostage in a matter of days...
Running out of time and hope, Novak's people turn to a man with a long history of defeating impossible odds: Paul Janson--a legend in the notorious U.S. covert agency Consular Operations. Janson sets in motion an ingenious rescue operation. But the operation goes horribly wrong and Janson is marked for death, the target of a 'beyond salvage' order issued from the highest level of the government. Now Janson is running for his life, pursued by Jessica Kincaid, a young agent of astonishing ability who can anticipate and counter his every move. To survive, Janson must outrace a conspiracy that has gone beyond the control of its originators. To win, he must counter it with a conspiracy of his own..."
A very convoluted plot with unexpected details. Gripping from beginning to end. Very timely examples of US government figures manipulating world events "behind the scenes" and with no accountability.
Suspense, spies, impossible odds. To survive, the hero must outrace a conspiracy that goes beyond control of its originators. NY Times bestseller.
typical Ludlum, I can't read him anymore.
If you thought Ludlum's prior plots were complex, wait until you read this one! what a surprise ending.