The Janson Directive: Summary and book reviews of The Janson Directive by Robert Ludlum, plus links to an excerpt from The Janson Directive and a biography of Robert Ludlum.

Former operative, now security specialist Paul Janson is called in to rescue an international diplomat only to find himself set up, his team members killed, and the target of an immensely powerful cabal. Paul Janson has a difficult past which includes a shadowy, notorious career in U. S. Consular Operations. Now living a quiet life, nothing could lure him back into the field. Except Peter Novak - a man who once saved Janson's life - who has been kidnapped by terrorists and is set to be executed. Janson hastily assembles a team of former colleagues and protégés to rescue Novak but the operation goes horribly wrong. Now Janson finds himself marked for death and his only hope is to uncover the truth behind these events - a truth that has the power to foment wars, topple governments and change the very course of history.

Media Reviews

Chicago Sun-Times Don't ever begin a Ludlum novel if you have to go to work the next day.   The New York Times Ludlum stuffs more surprises into his novels than any other six pack of thriller writers combined.   Entertainment Weekly Reading a Ludlum novel is like watching a James Bond film ... slickly paced ... all-consuming.   Publishers Weekly Ludlum died in March 2001, but here he is again, back with yet another posthumous thriller. Such books rarely live up to the author's standards, but this one is different it's vintage Ludlum--big, brawny and loaded with surprises.   Kirkus Reviews A marvel of stunning physical detail, its sentences geared with lightly oiled precision, parts that speed the action forward micro-incrementally, click by click. A full chapter is given to the midnight air currents a parachutist faces in cloud and fog after he free-falls for four miles into the villain's den. Ludlum's best since his masterpiece of paranoia, The Bourne Identity.

Recent Reader Reviews

Rated of 5 by erc
Very good
When I close the book, I regret every single minute I'm not reading on..... Good stuff... His second book I've read and not the last....for sure

Rated of 5 by Ruby
The Janson Directive
Despite the fact that studying a book can often completely destroy its value, The Janson Directive appears better. It's that or I haven't studied it enough. Ludlum, or the ghostwriter, have researched it thoroughly, and despite the fact the...   Read More

Rated of 5 by Smith
I love this book. Before I read it, The Bourne series were the only Ludlum Works that I had read, but now I want to read all of his books! Every single one has an action movie stuffed inside! Anybody would love his works, they are outstanding!...   Read More

Rated of 5 by Todd
This is the first Ludlum book I have read, and I must say I am going to continue reading his work. I almost got fired yesterday because my boss walked in on me reading it!

Review (not rated) by Ramadas Mannattil
In Page 86-87 of the paperback edition, the reference to a "dravidian tongue" appears. Janson goes into the well guarded headquarters of Ahmed Tabari to save Peter Novak who was supposed to be a prisoner there.
Most people would skip...   Read More

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