The Bourne Ultimatum
By Robert Ludlum
"The cacophony spun out of control as the crowds swelled through the amusement park in the countryside on the outskirts of Baltimore..."
So begins the third and final installment in Robert Ludlum's iconic Bourne trilogy, The Bourne Ultimatum, with Ludlum’s dangerous, elusive protagonist Jason Bourne continuing his mission to bring down the infamous Jackal.
Ludlum, whose novels fly off bookshelves faster than free pancakes at an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet, penned 27 thrillers over his career. But it's the Jason Bourne trilogy—immortalized by blockbuster films starring Matt Damon—that remains his most recognized work.
Normally a mild-mannered professor of Oriental studies, David Webb once again takes on his alter ego as deadly operative Jason Bourne to face off against Carlos, a.k.a. The Jackal.
This reviewer’s well-worn paperback was published in 1990. To fully appreciate the saga, begin with The Bourne Identity, followed by The Bourne Supremacy, then The Bourne Ultimatum. Ludlum’s other works have also made it to screens, including The Osterman Weekend (a personal favourite), The Holcroft Covenant with Michael Caine, and a TV miniseries version of The Bourne Identity starring the late Richard Chamberlain.
Ludlum died in 2001 at the age of 73 following a heart attack. Before becoming a bestselling author, he spent years as a theatrical producer and once said, “I equate suspense and good theatre in a very similar way. I think it is all suspense and what-happens-next.” The Ludlum brand lives on, with new titles written by authors such as Eric Van Lustbader.
Vancouver
By David Cruise and Alison Griffiths
“13,477 B.C. Utqiagvik, northern Alaska. A dozen pairs of small, round black eyes stared greedily into the tall man’s black face..."
Out walking the dog, this reviewer was struck by how much Vancouver resembles the sweeping narratives of James Michener or Edward Rutherfurd. Sure enough, the back cover confirms it: “In the grand tradition of Michener’s Alaska and Rutherfurd’s Sarum, bestselling authors Cruise and Griffiths have captured the essence of one of Canada’s richest settings…”
Spanning thousands of years, Vancouver begins in the final days of the Ice Age and moves through centuries of change, weaving a dynamic historical tapestry rooted in the Pacific Northwest. It's a gripping saga of the city and surrounding region—rich in story and cultural transformation.
First published in hardcover by HarperCollins in 2003, this reviewer’s paperback edition came out in 2004. At over 900 pages, it’s a hefty read—but well worth the wrist strain.
Curious whether the authors are still publishing, a visit to their website, wildhorseanniestory.com, turned up nothing. The search continues.
Sybil
By Flora Rheta Schreiber
“The crash of glass made her head throb. The room swirled. Her nostrils were suffused with the acrid smell of chemicals..."
First published in 1973, Sybil tells the chilling, controversial true story of a woman said to possess sixteen personalities. The original hardcover version was later followed by numerous paperback printings, including the copy this reviewer read in the late 1970s—believing every word.
The book recounts the story of a woman, later revealed to be Shirley Ardell Mason, who suffered from blackouts and strange behaviour later attributed to Dissociative Identity Disorder. Schreiber wrote the book in collaboration with psychoanalyst Dr. Cornelia B. Wilbur, presenting it as a compelling account of extreme trauma and psychological survival.
Schreiber, an American journalist, caused a worldwide stir with the publication. But years later, questions arose. Was it true? Did Schreiber fabricate elements? For a counter-narrative, readers may seek out Sybil Exposed by Debbie Nathan.
The story inspired two made-for-TV films: one in 1976 starring Sally Field, and another in 2008 with Jessica Lange and Tammy Blanchard.
