Jason, once a member of a Viet Nam era killer squad, code named Medusa, discovers that the organization has re-emerged in the civilian world. The novel deals with their conflict culminating in the surprise death of Carlos, the Jackal. David immediately fears for the safety of his family and allows his alter-ego of Jason Bourne, cold blooded killer, to emerge. Carlos, fed by his hatred for Bourne, whose existence had clouded his self-proclaimed title of the 'world's greatest assassin,' fires the first salvo in a murder attempt against David's friends and mentors, Alex Conklin and Dr. In fact, he is living in Maine as David Webb, a university professor. It begins with the discovery by Carlos the Jackal that his old nemesis, Jason Bourne, was not killed thirteen years ago in Hong Kong, as had been widely publicized. Ludlum passed away in March, 2001.The Bourne Ultimatum is a novel about the complex machinations of Cold War intrigue. In addition to the Jason Bourne series- The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy, and The Bourne Ultimatum-he was the author of The Scarlatti Inheritance, The Chancellor Manuscript, and The Apocalypse Watch, among many others.

There are more than 210 million of his books in print, and they have been translated into thirty-two languages. Robert Ludlum was the author of twenty-one novels, each a New York Times bestseller. His plan is simple: to infiltrate the politically and economically omnipotent Medusan group and use himself as bait to lure the cunning Jackal into a deadly trap-a trap from which only one of them will escape. Now David Webb, professor of Oriental studies, husband, and father, must do what he hoped never to do again-assume the terrible identity of Jason Bourne. And furthermore, they know what the Jackal wants: a final confrontation with Bourne. The telegrams are signed 'Jason Bourne.' Only they know Bourne's true identity and understand that the telegrams are really a message from Bourne's mortal enemy, Carlos, known also as the Jackal, the world's deadliest and most elusive terrorist.

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER At a small-town carnival, two men, each mysteriously summoned by telegram, witness a bizarre killing.

About the Book A mild-mannered professor is forced to assume again the deadly alter ego he created in Vietnam years ago as part of the Medusa Brigade.

The bourne ultimatum by robert ludlum