The Aquitaine Progression / The Chancellor Manuscript

by Robert Ludlum

Part One Of Two Parts

It is a real possibility. A group of generals not from one nation taking control in a palace coup, but from most nations taking control of most of the world in a coordinated lightning stroke. What's to stop them?

In THE AQUITAINE PROGRESSION, one man...Joel Converse, a battle scarred veteran of Vietnam who in the course of business stumbles onto the plot.

"This is Ludlum at his best...a thrilling international novel and love story." (Publishers Weekly)

Genres: Fiction, Thriller

847 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

Robert Ludlum was a titan of the suspense genre, whose name became synonymous with the modern international spy thriller. Before amassing a staggering readership estimated between 300 and 500 million copies, Ludlum forged a career in the theater as a Marine veteran turned actor and producer. This theatrical background proved foundational to his literary success; he often credited his sense of pacing and "what-happens-next" urgency to his years on stage. Writing from his home in New Jersey, he crafted 27 novels characterized by "lone wolf" protagonists battling shadowy global conspiracies, corrupt corporations, and clandestine military organizations.
Ludlum is most famous as the creator of Jason Bourne, the amnesiac assassin who first appeared in The Bourne Identity (1980). While the blockbuster film adaptations starring Matt Damon brought the character to a new generation, Ludlum’s original trilogy delved deeper into the Cold War paranoia and intricate psychological trauma of the protagonist. His work often drew inspiration from contemporary conspiracy theories, such as rumors surrounding the Trilateral Commission, and he frequently explored the idea of terrorism as a tool for authoritarian manipulation. Even after his death in 2001, his literary estate has continued to expand his universe through video games and posthumous collaborations, cementing his legacy as a master of the "ticking clock" narrative.

Reviews

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you don't want to be running for your very life with everybody after you, the good guys and the bad, then hope you never become a character in a Ludlum novel. He can take a mild-mannered attorney who only wants to get away from his totally unfulfilling life, send him to Europe, then without warning, put him in situations that are absolutely outside his control, thrusting him into a life and death run for survival. If you can start this book and put it down without first finishing it, then you're a better man than I. One of the best suspense novels I've ever read, and that's a pretty long list of possibles.

[Neha · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, Ludlum excels .. in every sphere of writing..starts of with intrigue, and by the end of the first 2 chapters, firmly sets the stage for an extremely fast paced, unraveling with huge dollops of Mystery, fear, excitement and a fantastic cat and mouse chase with a surprise sprinkling of romance.

He builds the characters so brilliantly, that you find yourself rooting for them .

Another dont-you-dare-put-down book from Ludlum.

Wonder when an equally wonderful film will be made.. coz this is an out-n out action thriller script right here.

Happy reading!

[Edward Amato · Rating 2 out of 5]

Perhaps this read better when it came out but I found the premise unbelievable, the characters ridiculous and well ... "The Generals are back!" And they are going to get us but thank God for Lawyers! New I say more? I only give 1 star to books that misinform or are hate mongering but this is only obnoxious not dangerous. There is part 2 that I will endeavor to avoid like Ebola.

[Rhod · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like most of Ludlum's offerings, but thought this plot just stretched the imagination too far.