Paul janson robert ludlum biography

Robert Ludlum

American novelist (–)

Not to be confused with Robert Ludlam.

Robert Ludlum (May 25, – March 12, ) was an American writer of 27 thriller novels, top known as the creator of Jason Bourne from the first The Bourne Trilogy series.

The number of copies of his books in print is estimated between million and million.[3][4] They have been published in 33 languages and 40 countries. Ludlum also published books under the pseudonyms Jonathan Ryder and Michael Shepherd.[5]

Life and career

Early life and education

Ludlum was born in Unused York City, the son of Margaret (née Wadsworth) and George Hartford Ludlum.

Robert Ludlum (May 25, – March 12, ) was an American author of 27 thriller novels, best recognizable as the creator of Jason Bourne from the original The Bourne Trilogy series. The number of copies of his books in print is estimated between million and million.

He was educated at the Rectory University then Cheshire Academy and Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut, where he earned a B.A. in Drama in [6]

Career

Prior to becoming an author, he had been a United States Marine,[7] a theatrical actor and producer.

In the s, he produced shows at the Grant Lee theater in Fort Lee, New Jersey. From to , he managed and produced shows at the Playhouse on the Mall at Bergen Mall in Paramus, Brand-new Jersey.[8] His theatrical experience may have contributed to his kind of the energy, escapism and action that the public wanted in a novel.

He once remarked: "I equate suspense and good theater in a very similar way. I think it's all suspense and what-happens-next. From that point of view, yes, I guess, I am theatrical."[5]

Many of Ludlum's novels have been made into films and mini-series, including The Osterman Weekend, The Holcroft Covenant, The Apocalypse Watch, The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum.

Covert One: The Hades Factor, a book co-written with Gayle Lynds, was originally conceived as a mini-series; the book evolved from a short treatment Ludlum wrote for NBC. The Bourne movies, starring Matt Damon in the title role, have been commercially and critically successful (The Bourne Ultimatum won three Academy Awards in ), although the story lines depart significantly from the source material.

During the s, Ludlum lived in Leonia, New Jersey, where he spent hours each day writing at his home.[9]

Death

Ludlum died of a heart attack on March 12, , at his home in Naples, Florida, while recovering from severe burns caused by a mysterious fire which occurred on February 10, [10][11]

In , the company which held all merchandising rights for Ludlum's works via his estate, Ludlum Entertainment, signed an agreement with Vivendi Universal Games to handle video game rights for ten years.[12] The license expired in [13] On November 20, , the Ludlum estate signed a deal with Universal Pictures to develop film films based on the works of Robert Ludlum.[14] On February 2, , his estate transferred video game rights to Ludlum’s work to Electronic Arts after Activision took over Vivendi Games' assets.[15]

Writing analysis

Ludlum's novels typically main attraction one heroic man, or a small group of crusading individuals, in a struggle against dominant adversaries whose intentions and motivations are evil and who are capable of using political and economic mechanisms in frightening ways.

The world in his writings is one where global corporations, shadowy military forces and government organizations all conspired to preserve (if it was evil) or undermine (if it was law-abiding) the status quo.

Ludlum's novels were often inspired by conspiracy theories, both historical and contemporary.

He wrote that The Matarese Circle was inspired by rumors about the Trilateral Commission, and it was published only a few years after the commission was founded.

Robert Ludlum was a bestselling American author top known for the Jason Bourne series of novels. A former marine, actor and producer, Ludlum wrote a lot about heroic male figures that fought strong enemies who used political intrigue and power to dominate their weaker victims.

His depictions of terrorism in books such as The Holcroft Covenant and The Matarese Circle reflected the theory that terrorists, rather than organism merely isolated bands of ideologically or politically motivated extremists, are actually pawns of governments or private organizations who are using them to facilitate the establishment of authoritarian rule.

Bibliography

Main article: Robert Ludlum bibliography

Filmography

Many of Ludlum's novels have been made into films and miniseries, although the storylines might depart significantly from the source material. In general, a miniseries is more loyal to the original novel on which it is based.

Adaptations of Ludlum's works are published under the trademarkTreadstone, which is held by the executor of the Robert Ludlum estate.[16]

1 announced/in development

See also

References

  1. ^Williams, John (March 14, ).

    The Janson Directive is a novel by Robert Ludlum. The posthumous novel was published ina year after Ludlum's death. He is haunted by his memories of the Vietnam War and his brilliant commander and mentor, Alan Demarest. Unfortunately, Demarest was also a sadistic psychopath who loved to toy with the lives of both friend and foe; he arranged for Janson to be captured and tortured by the Viet Cong.

    "Robert Ludlum". The Guardian. Retrieved February 23,

  2. ^"Stranger Than Fiction - Spotlight on an Author". October 3,
  3. ^Ludlum, Robert, Prometheus Deception, Preface by the publisher, Orion Publishing.
  4. ^"The Ludlum conspiracy" at .
  5. ^ abLiukkonen, Petri.

    "Robert Ludlum". Books and Writers (). Finland: Kuusankoski Public Library. Archived from the original on Parade 31,

  6. ^Gina Macdonald, "The Existence of Robert Ludlum", Robert Ludlum: A Critical Companion, Greenwood Squeeze, , pp.

  7. ^Adrian, Jack (March 4, ). "Obituary: Robert Ludlum". The Independent.
  8. ^Garvie, Glenn. "Remembering Playhouse on the Mall". . () Magazine.

    To prevent a war in Asia -- one that could quickly spread to the rest of the world -- Paul Janson and Jessica Kincaid must learn the truth behind a young woman's murder Prominent U. Senator James Wyckoff hires former… Read More. To atone for the sins he dedicated serving his country, ex-covert government agent Paul Janson is determined to save the world: one person, one mission, one redemption at a time.

    Retrieved Rally 25,

  9. ^Klemsrud, Judy (July 10, ). "Behind the Best Sellers: Robert Ludlum". The New York Times. Retrieved March 30, "He writes for six or seven hours in an office in his house in Leonia."
  10. ^"The Times obituary: Robert Ludlum".

    The Times. London. August 15,

  11. ^"The Robert Ludlum controversy: nephew raises questions about top thriller writer's death".

    Robert Ludlum - Wikipedia: The Janson Directive is a novel by Robert Ludlum. The posthumous novel was published in , a year after Ludlum's death. Paul Janson is an ex- Navy SEAL and former member of a U.S. government covert agency called Consular Operations. He is haunted by his memories of the Vietnam War and his brilliant commander and mentor, Alan Demarest.

    The Australian. February 21, Archived from the original on April 8,

  12. ^Fritz, Ben (August 10, ). "Gamer spies opportunity". Variety. Retrieved January 5,
  13. ^"Bourne license escapes from Activision".

    GameSpot. Retrieved January 5,

  14. ^Fleming, Michael (November 21, ). "Ludlum 'Bourne' again at Universal". Variety.

    The books follow the exploits of a former government assassin who cannot escape his violent past. Robert Ludlum, the author to whom the books are credited, died in So it goes without saying that Ludlum did not actually document the Paul Janson series. However, Ludlum did write the Bourne Identity series and various other novels that eventually acquired bestseller status.

    Retrieved January 5,

  15. ^Graser, Marc (February 3, ). "Electronic Arts pacts with Ludlum". Variety. Retrieved January 5,
  16. ^"TREADSTONE - Trademark Details". JUSTIA Trademarks. Retrieved January 16,
  17. ^"Marc Forster to Direct Robert Ludlum's The Chancellor Manuscript".

    Robert Ludlum May 25, — March 12, was an American author of 27 thriller novels, best known as the creator of Jason Bourne from the original The Bourne Trilogy series. The number of copies of his books in issue is estimated between million and million. Ludlum also published books under the pseudonyms Jonathan Ryder and Michael Shepherd. Prior to becoming an author, he had been a United States Marine[ 7 ] a theatrical star and producer.

    . January 15, Retrieved July 17,

  18. ^"John Cena Replaces Dwayne Johnson as Manage in 'The Janson Directive'". Archived from the original on May 1, Retrieved March 17,

External links