Main article: Robert Ludlum bibliography Filmography

His depictions of terrorism in books such as The Holcroft Covenant and The Matarese Circle reflected the theory that terrorists, rather than being merely isolated bands of ideologically motivated extremists, are actually pawns of governments or private organizations who are using them to facilitate the establishment of authoritarian rule. 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. Ludlum's novels were often inspired by conspiracy theories, both historical and contemporary. 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 typically feature one heroic man, or a small group of crusading individuals, in a struggle against powerful adversaries whose intentions and motivations are evil and who are capable of using political and economic mechanisms in frightening ways. Referred to as The Ludlum Conspiracy, Kenneth Kearns, Robert Ludlum's nephew (Ludlum's first wife's sister's son), pointed to the mystery surrounding Ludlum's death, with the possible implication of his second wife's involvement. Ludlum died on March 12, 2001, at his home in Naples, Florida, while recovering from severe burns caused by a mysterious fire which occurred on February 10. The Bourne movies, starring Matt Damon in the title role, have been commercially and critically successful ( The Bourne Ultimatum won three Academy Awards in 2008), although the story lines depart significantly from the source material.Р”Вuring the 1970s, Ludlum lived in Leonia, New Jersey, where he spent hours each day writing at his home. 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. 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.

From that point of view, yes, I guess, I am theatrical.' I think it's all suspense and what-happens-next. He once remarked: 'I equate suspense and good theater in a very similar way. His theatrical experience may have contributed to his understanding of the energy, escapism and action that the public wanted in a novel. From 1960 to 1970, he managed and produced shows at the Playhouse on the Mall at Bergen Mall in Paramus, New Jersey. In the 1950s, he produced shows at the Grant Lee theater in Fort Lee, New Jersey. Prior to becoming an author, he had been a United States Marine, a theatrical actor and producer. After becoming an author later in life, Ludlum would set his mystery novel Matlock Paper at the fictitious Carlyle University in Connecticut, a thinly disguised Wesleyan. While at Wesleyan, Ludlum joined the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity. He was educated at The Rectory School then Cheshire Academy and Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut, where he earned a B.A. Ludlum was born in New York City, the son of Margaret (nР“В©e Wadsworth) and George Hartford Ludlum.

List of robert ludlum books