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The Rhinemann Exchange
David Spaulding is the most feared and efficient Allied agent in wartime Europe. Expert, deadly and professional, he is also high on the Gestapo's 'most wanted' list. Now Spaulding has been selected by the Allied Command to transact an undercover deal in Argentina involving top secret Nazi scientific plans. The dealer is Erich Rhinemann, an exiled German Jew who is awaiting the end of the war with his millions in an impenetrable retreat near Buenos Aires. But there's something Spaulding doesn't know. The other side of the deal. And it involves the most bizarre, horrific intrigue of the Second World War ...
486 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1974
About the author
Robert Ludlum
508 books4,775 followersRobert Ludlum was the author of twenty-seven novels, each one a New York Times bestseller. There are more than 210 million of his books in print, and they have been translated into thirty-two languages. He is the author of The Scarlatti Inheritance, The Chancellor Manuscript, and the Jason Bourne series--The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy, and The Bourne Ultimatum--among others. Mr. Ludlum passed away in March, 2001. Ludlum also published books under the pseudonyms Jonathan Ryder and Michael Shepherd.
Some 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. A non-Ludlum book supposedly inspired by his unused notes, Covert One: The Hades Factor, has also been made into a mini-series. 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.
Some 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. A non-Ludlum book supposedly inspired by his unused notes, Covert One: The Hades Factor, has also been made into a mini-series. 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews
August 17, 2016
I read this one ages ago when I was really into thrillers. Robert Ludlum was probably my favorite author in the genre although this was the only one of his books outside his Bourne trilogy I can remember reading. This was a great WW2 thriller. The hero was both badass and sympathetic and was reminiscent of Ludum's Jason Bourne in his deadly competency and in his sense of being worn down and made cynical from years of bloody covert warfare. The setting of this one (Argentina during WW2) and it's general feel were both really well done as well. A lot of works (TV, movies etc.) are set in the past but feel very modern. Perhaps this book was helped by being published in 1974, almost as close to WW2 as to the present day. The villains provided a real sense of menace and their schemes (as well as the heroes counter schemes) were complex and intriguing and made for an exciting story.
April 3, 2022
Read a Ludlum thriller after a long time. I remember enjoying many of his novels during my student days - The Matarese Circle, The Bourne Identity, The Ambler Warning and so many others. I used to get these books from a second hand book store/ lending library in my hometown. That place was actually a cabinet on the wall and a few books on a small table. A very tiny establishment, but the shop had a incredible collection of books (mostly English) - from classics to contemporary and across genres including comics. With due respect to my school teachers, whatever English I have managed to learn - a part of the credit goes to this shop. Unfortunately it closed down a couple of years back. But enough of nostalgia, let us come to the review.
The novel is set during the WW2 and revolves around a secret deal between parties in the US and the Nazi administration. Both the groups would need something from each other. They decided to conclude the transaction in neutral Argentina through Eric Rhineman, an exiled German Jew. Rhineman might be a Jew by birth, but he was a Nazi at heart.
David Spaulding, the man from Lisbon, the most feared Allied agent in Europe would be ordered to oversee the exchange. However, the man was not made aware of the true nature of the deal.
If I have to describe the novel using a few words then these would be - Deception - Assassinations- Action. Add a little bit of honour and romance to the plot. The typical Ludlum stuff. One might argue that it is a cheap thriller. May be you are right, but it is fun to read these books once in a while. I picked this book from my library because it was mentioned in a non-fiction spy book I had read once. In fact the said book had made several references to popular spy novels.
A good time pass. Readers who like Ludlum's work or want to explore a good old spy action thriller might want to give it a try.
The novel is set during the WW2 and revolves around a secret deal between parties in the US and the Nazi administration. Both the groups would need something from each other. They decided to conclude the transaction in neutral Argentina through Eric Rhineman, an exiled German Jew. Rhineman might be a Jew by birth, but he was a Nazi at heart.
David Spaulding, the man from Lisbon, the most feared Allied agent in Europe would be ordered to oversee the exchange. However, the man was not made aware of the true nature of the deal.
If I have to describe the novel using a few words then these would be - Deception - Assassinations- Action. Add a little bit of honour and romance to the plot. The typical Ludlum stuff. One might argue that it is a cheap thriller. May be you are right, but it is fun to read these books once in a while. I picked this book from my library because it was mentioned in a non-fiction spy book I had read once. In fact the said book had made several references to popular spy novels.
A good time pass. Readers who like Ludlum's work or want to explore a good old spy action thriller might want to give it a try.
July 30, 2017
Entertaining for the most part, but I hit several snags of "reader's block" (for lack of a better phrase) along the way, and the plot is just a tad implausible.
Moreover, with all due respect to the memory of Mr. Ludlum (R.I.P.), his technical knowledge of firearms was pathetic (which I elaborate on further in the comments below), and while I love learning new languages, the author's penchant for using foreign language sentences without the benefit of translations for English-speaking readers is a tad annoying.
RANDOM STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS (and noteworthy passages):
--p. 93: "I.G. Farben, the armaments giant of the Third Reich." Fictitious stand-in from Krupp Arms?
--p. 94: "Men like Oliver and Craft--especially Oliver--did not adhere to such punctuality unless they were afraid. It certainly was not courtesy." Kinda like with colonels and generals?
--p. 101: Spaniards using miles instead of meters??
--pp. 107-108: "He was an outsized rodent in the body of a medium-sized man....an authoritative rodent who was not awkward in the tunnels of negotiated filth. He was, in fact, very much at home."
--p. 170: "Eugene Lyons....youngest full professor at [MIT]. Maybe he was too young; he went downhill fast....too many brains no one wants to pay for." A fictional stand-in for William James Sidis, perhaps?
--p. 200: Hey, Mr. Ludlum, there are no "ex-Marines;" "former" Marines perhaps, but eh, "Once A Marine, Always A Marine."
--p. 203: "a Beretta revolver" Um, was Beretta even making wheelguns (particularly double-actions) at this time?
--p. 204: The .45 "would blow a person into the air and off the earth." Cripes, another ballistics-related old wives' tale!
--p. 219: Robert Ballard!
--p. 254: Aahh, Col. Juan Perón....
--p. 257: A LUGER IS AN AUTOPISTOL, NOT A REVOLVER, SEÑOR LUDLUM (R.I.P.)!!!
--p. 263: Heinrich Stoltz? Any relation to Eric? Heh heh.
--p. 276: Jeez-freakin'-Louise, another freakin' "revolver," this one a "Remington " with a safety and a single chamber! (Probably actually a Remington Model 51 autopistol).
--p. 297: "thick-barrelled automatic rifle" = Sturmgewehr Stg-44?
--p. 358: "David clicked the firing pin of the weapon into hair-release." Fucksake, Ludlum, didya mean "cocked the hammer?"
--p. 369: The "shoulder strap" of the rifle; didya mean the *sling*, Mr. Ludlum?
--p. 372: Geez, calling the hammer the "firing pin" again!
--p. 375: Um, conger eels are fish, not snakes or worms (unless the author is speaking metaphorically?). And since when do eels react like sharks to blood in the water?
--p. 410: "Sternlicht automatic?" Does that even really exist? Oh well, at least the author didn't say "revolver" this time.
--p. 416: Jeez-Louise, yet another misapplied "revolver" label, this time to the M1911 Colt .45 auto!
--p. 418: No, dummy, a second pistol actually still *would* be helpful!
--p. 423: SFV!!
Moreover, with all due respect to the memory of Mr. Ludlum (R.I.P.), his technical knowledge of firearms was pathetic (which I elaborate on further in the comments below), and while I love learning new languages, the author's penchant for using foreign language sentences without the benefit of translations for English-speaking readers is a tad annoying.
RANDOM STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS (and noteworthy passages):
--p. 93: "I.G. Farben, the armaments giant of the Third Reich." Fictitious stand-in from Krupp Arms?
--p. 94: "Men like Oliver and Craft--especially Oliver--did not adhere to such punctuality unless they were afraid. It certainly was not courtesy." Kinda like with colonels and generals?
--p. 101: Spaniards using miles instead of meters??
--pp. 107-108: "He was an outsized rodent in the body of a medium-sized man....an authoritative rodent who was not awkward in the tunnels of negotiated filth. He was, in fact, very much at home."
--p. 170: "Eugene Lyons....youngest full professor at [MIT]. Maybe he was too young; he went downhill fast....too many brains no one wants to pay for." A fictional stand-in for William James Sidis, perhaps?
--p. 200: Hey, Mr. Ludlum, there are no "ex-Marines;" "former" Marines perhaps, but eh, "Once A Marine, Always A Marine."
--p. 203: "a Beretta revolver" Um, was Beretta even making wheelguns (particularly double-actions) at this time?
--p. 204: The .45 "would blow a person into the air and off the earth." Cripes, another ballistics-related old wives' tale!
--p. 219: Robert Ballard!
--p. 254: Aahh, Col. Juan Perón....
--p. 257: A LUGER IS AN AUTOPISTOL, NOT A REVOLVER, SEÑOR LUDLUM (R.I.P.)!!!
--p. 263: Heinrich Stoltz? Any relation to Eric? Heh heh.
--p. 276: Jeez-freakin'-Louise, another freakin' "revolver," this one a "Remington " with a safety and a single chamber! (Probably actually a Remington Model 51 autopistol).
--p. 297: "thick-barrelled automatic rifle" = Sturmgewehr Stg-44?
--p. 358: "David clicked the firing pin of the weapon into hair-release." Fucksake, Ludlum, didya mean "cocked the hammer?"
--p. 369: The "shoulder strap" of the rifle; didya mean the *sling*, Mr. Ludlum?
--p. 372: Geez, calling the hammer the "firing pin" again!
--p. 375: Um, conger eels are fish, not snakes or worms (unless the author is speaking metaphorically?). And since when do eels react like sharks to blood in the water?
--p. 410: "Sternlicht automatic?" Does that even really exist? Oh well, at least the author didn't say "revolver" this time.
--p. 416: Jeez-Louise, yet another misapplied "revolver" label, this time to the M1911 Colt .45 auto!
--p. 418: No, dummy, a second pistol actually still *would* be helpful!
--p. 423: SFV!!
November 12, 2011
In rating it four stars I have given this novel the benefit of the doubt, since for the first half I really struggled to 'get into it'. This could be attributed to two possible reasons, the first being that I never read enough of it in any one sitting, and left too long in between reads, to really familiarise myself with the characters and allow the story to 'grip' me; the second being that the characters we come to care about rarely feature in the first half. Even the hero, David Spaulding, the typical super-spy type that Ludlum writes so well (Bourne/Ambler/Janson), doesn't really become the centre of the story until about the mid-point, and it's at this point the book becomes hard to put down. Since I have so enjoyed the Ludlum novels I have read to date, and I cannot judge a book based on the the chapters I didn't give enough attention to, leads me to base my rating on those that I did read 'properly'. So, it is the engaging relationships Spaulding develops, along with the fast paced action in the second half that earns this novel the fourth star. An enjoyable read - as long as you're reading it.
November 19, 2017
the premise is... curious
p7: no longer substance.
p24: every known portable offensive and defensive weapon, every sabotage device, every conceivable method of ingress and egress--apparent and covert--was exhaustively studied by the fairfax trainees.
p101: the german interceptors would be tied up for monts concentrating on the eastern "routes"; the network to the west would be relatively unencumbered.
p223: he bought an ice from a vendor, wandered past the cages of marmosets and orangutans--finding extraordinary resemblances to friends and enemies--and when he felt comfortable (as only a field man can feel comfortable), walked out to the cabstand.
p267: spaulding took the moment to flip open the man's jacket, forcing the arms downward, and removed a revolver strapped in a large holster above the man's left hip.
it was a luger.
p372: "what the hell are you doing!?" meehan jerked forward; david clicked the firing pin of the weapon into hair-release.
p387: he thumbed back the firing pin and spoke calmly.
p7: no longer substance.
p24: every known portable offensive and defensive weapon, every sabotage device, every conceivable method of ingress and egress--apparent and covert--was exhaustively studied by the fairfax trainees.
p101: the german interceptors would be tied up for monts concentrating on the eastern "routes"; the network to the west would be relatively unencumbered.
p223: he bought an ice from a vendor, wandered past the cages of marmosets and orangutans--finding extraordinary resemblances to friends and enemies--and when he felt comfortable (as only a field man can feel comfortable), walked out to the cabstand.
p267: spaulding took the moment to flip open the man's jacket, forcing the arms downward, and removed a revolver strapped in a large holster above the man's left hip.
it was a luger.
p372: "what the hell are you doing!?" meehan jerked forward; david clicked the firing pin of the weapon into hair-release.
p387: he thumbed back the firing pin and spoke calmly.
September 21, 2015
Standard Ludlum, you know exactly what you get. And he does it well of course, good thriller.
May 28, 2017
Amazing jumble of a book. I usually love Ludlum's writing but found this book to be unusually hard to follow. The writing was good but storyline very mixed up and the main character, David Spaulding, seemed very frenetic and erratic. Spaulding is called back from his work in Portugal to foster an exchange between the US and Germany of diamonds for a gyroscope design to take place in Argentina. Along the way several people are killed, betrayals occur, and Spaulding falls in love with a woman from the US Embassy based in Buenos Aires. Sound confusing? Yes it was! Only recommend this for diehard Ludlum fans - definitely not his usual quality of work though!
November 19, 2012
I enjoyed Ludlum's first three books but this one was a little over my head. I never fully understood the plot before deciding to put it down about half way through. I had to read other reviews just to vaguely understand what the mission was. Also, it seemed as if Ludlum was warming his engine for a little too long. The plot should be explained in the first 30 pages instead of the first 130. I might give this book another shot but it won't be anytime soon.
September 5, 2018
Tako malo fali da bude dobra... ima akcije, ali mi fali tu nešto one Ladlamove energije...
February 9, 2023
He tied the gun to his HEAD, so it would not get wet, and breaststroked through the water to the boat! Super Agent, Extraordinaire!!!! The Man from Lisbon!
August 17, 2023
A pretty decent spy novel with very well written intriguing characters.
May 6, 2012
It's WWII. The German rocket plant Peenemunde is in trouble because it's out of industrial grade diamonds to use in their machinery. The United States are trying to develop gyroscopes that will work with high altitude bombers. Realizing they can help each other, Germany and the United States develop a clandestine exchange; diamonds for schematics. David Spaulding is the American agent sent to Argentina to complete the trade, but naturally their are a myriad of complications including an underground organization who will stop at nothing to stop the exchange.
Ludlum creates characters you can root for and against and puts them in the middle of a fascinating scenario. There are a lot of twists and turns, some I didn't see coming and the action keeps moving at a fast pace.
Ludlum creates characters you can root for and against and puts them in the middle of a fascinating scenario. There are a lot of twists and turns, some I didn't see coming and the action keeps moving at a fast pace.
September 9, 2009
The Rhineman Exchange is typical Robert Ludlum, and that is not a bad thing. As is true with almost all Ludlum books, there is a deliciously convoluted plot that as a reader you have no chance to fully untangle until Ludlum does it for you in the rush of the last few chapters. The Rhineman exchange is extremely fun reading. The characters are all likable, but somewhat superhuman in their perfection. The truth is the book probably deserves another star, but there is an element about Ludlum's books of If you've read one you've read them all.
August 20, 2011
It's quite clear to me that Robert Ludlum's best work occurred during the 1970s ("The Holcroft Covenant," "The Gemini Contenders" and my personal favorite "The Matarese Circle" just to name a few). This is another winner that ranks right up there with the rest of his stuff. A great, gripping historical fiction thriller where - unlike his later work - the plot thickens as the hero gets chased. Rarely are 446 densely written pages as fun to read as this was.
February 22, 2020
Classic Ludlum
I really enjoyed the Bourne books, so I wanted to give some of his other books a chance. I was not disappointed. If you want a fun read that’s hard to put down give this title a whirl!
I really enjoyed the Bourne books, so I wanted to give some of his other books a chance. I was not disappointed. If you want a fun read that’s hard to put down give this title a whirl!
August 22, 2022
Robert Ludlum har väl blivit mest känd som författaren bakom filmsuccéerna om specialagenten Jason Bourne.
I “Täcknamn Tortugas” (The Rhinemann project) är tidpunkten andra världskriget och slutet på 1943 där de allierade är mitt uppe i planeringen av Normandieinvasionen.
Huvudpersonen, den amerikanske agenten David Spaulding, har varit placerad i Portugal för att där organisera utsmuggling av franska vetenskapsmän och andra antinazistiska intellektuella.
Han blir dock förflyttad till Buenos Aires där hans uppdrag är att övervaka en mycket besynnerlig och superhemlig utväxling av material mellan Tyskland och USA.
Tyskland behöver industridiamanter för att kunna slutföra sin produktion av långdistansraketer och USA behöver ritningar på en avancerad gyrokompass för bombflygplan på hög höjd.
Hela projektet är så hemligt att de inblandade ländernas regeringar har lämnats utanför.
Spänningen byggs upp ju närmare tidpunkten för själva utväxlingen man kommer och.....
här lämnar jag själva storyn för att inte spoila för mycket.
Jag har svårt att känna det där riktiga bettet från Ludlum ( mitt första möte) och det har nog att göra med mina svårigheter att förlika mig med den absurda idén att två huvudfiender ska byta saker med varandra som ska göra det lättare att förgöra motståndaren.
I “Täcknamn Tortugas” (The Rhinemann project) är tidpunkten andra världskriget och slutet på 1943 där de allierade är mitt uppe i planeringen av Normandieinvasionen.
Huvudpersonen, den amerikanske agenten David Spaulding, har varit placerad i Portugal för att där organisera utsmuggling av franska vetenskapsmän och andra antinazistiska intellektuella.
Han blir dock förflyttad till Buenos Aires där hans uppdrag är att övervaka en mycket besynnerlig och superhemlig utväxling av material mellan Tyskland och USA.
Tyskland behöver industridiamanter för att kunna slutföra sin produktion av långdistansraketer och USA behöver ritningar på en avancerad gyrokompass för bombflygplan på hög höjd.
Hela projektet är så hemligt att de inblandade ländernas regeringar har lämnats utanför.
Spänningen byggs upp ju närmare tidpunkten för själva utväxlingen man kommer och.....
här lämnar jag själva storyn för att inte spoila för mycket.
Jag har svårt att känna det där riktiga bettet från Ludlum ( mitt första möte) och det har nog att göra med mina svårigheter att förlika mig med den absurda idén att två huvudfiender ska byta saker med varandra som ska göra det lättare att förgöra motståndaren.
June 26, 2023
This may be the most exciting, action packed, intelligently crafted espionage thriller I have ever read. It is set in World War II and is the story of a diabolical and unlikely secret deal between the Nazi Armaments Department and the American intelligence services working with unscrupulous industrialists. At times the plot seems to be getting too convoluted, but it all comes together ingeniously. Ludlum really was the master of the spy thriller genre, and this book must rate as his best or thereabouts.
August 30, 2022
And another Ludlum! I'm beginning to think, Bourne Trilogy was one of his weaker books. This time the novel takes us to the times of WW2, with evil Nazis and heroic Americans... sort of. In fact everyone here is evil to some degree, the premise is intriguing, the gambit pile-up thrilling and the only two things I disliked was that the ending was resolved a bit too easily and the romantic arc that feels forced.
But I enjoyed it and I'm actually looking forward to reading more of the author's books.
But I enjoyed it and I'm actually looking forward to reading more of the author's books.
May 8, 2022
Харесвам книгите на Лъдлъм, но с тази не можах да се разбера. Не бяхме на една вълна.
Първата 1/3 изобщо не разбирах какво чета.
Твърде хаотично начало, което не може да прикове вниманието. Безкрайно много имена, без да разбираш кой какъв е и какво прави. Какво е мястото му в цялата история изобщо.
И след като изгубих интерес, останалите 2/3 дочетох повече на инат.
Имаше някакви проблясъци, но не достатъчно след разочароващото начало.
Трябва по-скоро да забравя, че това е книга на Лъдлъм, за да мога да посегна към следваща негова история.
Първата 1/3 изобщо не разбирах какво чета.
Твърде хаотично начало, което не може да прикове вниманието. Безкрайно много имена, без да разбираш кой какъв е и какво прави. Какво е мястото му в цялата история изобщо.
И след като изгубих интерес, останалите 2/3 дочетох повече на инат.
Имаше някакви проблясъци, но не достатъчно след разочароващото начало.
Трябва по-скоро да забравя, че това е книга на Лъдлъм, за да мога да посегна към следваща негова история.
May 23, 2017
Fast paced, gripping, edge of the seat kind. The story-line takes you on a ride whizzing past twists and turns as you move deeper into the book. And the roller coaster slows down towards the end, letting you dangle over the deep plot that had run in the background throughout, just that it became visible now.
December 5, 2023
Ufff, been a long time since I have been so gripped by a book! Great read!
March 30, 2015
What if, in the midst of WWII, America had something the Germans wanted and they had something America wanted? Would it be OK to make a swap? Of would such an exchange constitute treason?
This is the dilemma in "The Rhinemann Exchange." Slow getting started, it ends up being a pretty exciting tale of espionage during the height of the war. The story travels from the States, to Europe and finally down into South America where there are number of parties vying at cross purposes for their own political and financial ends.
Having read several of Ludlum's books, I'd have to say that this was one of his better efforts. Even though he is a bit verbose and even though he takes about 150 page to get to the action, it was well worth the wait. I recommend this one to you.
This is the dilemma in "The Rhinemann Exchange." Slow getting started, it ends up being a pretty exciting tale of espionage during the height of the war. The story travels from the States, to Europe and finally down into South America where there are number of parties vying at cross purposes for their own political and financial ends.
Having read several of Ludlum's books, I'd have to say that this was one of his better efforts. Even though he is a bit verbose and even though he takes about 150 page to get to the action, it was well worth the wait. I recommend this one to you.
May 27, 2012
Not one of Ludlum's best novels. Set in WWII an American agent in Lisbon is suddenly ripped out of his own network and territory for reasons unknown. David Spaulding is first sent to New York and then Bueno Aires on a mission of deceit. The problem is much of the deceit is directed towards him. Slowly and methodically the man from Lisbon unravels the layers of lies to discover the unbelievable and unsavory truth. There is an unrealistic "love" story in the final third of the book where the agent and an embassy worker fall in love in less than a week. Difficult to swallow and a little sappy.
April 27, 2010
If you like Ludlum, you'll definitely enjoy this effort. The plot revolves around a secret agreement between US and German industrialists during the middle of WWII for an exchange of technology and materials needed by the military of both sides....the exchange is necessitated by the inability of the industrialists to meet the needs of their own military....if you like this type of plot, you should enjoy this book.
October 7, 2012
The Allies need German gyroscopes for their bombers. The Germans need Allied industrial diamonds for their rockets. German industrialist Erich Rhinemann arranges an exchange of goods in Buenos Aires, but someone wants to prevent David Spaulding, the American agent, from showing up. Ludlum at his best.
August 3, 2015
The plot of this book was reminiscent of a John le Carre novel, but only about 75% as good, with a lot more shooting and running around, and with hints of homophobia, racism, sexism, and ableism thrown in for good measure.
June 13, 2009
Wonderful. I have read these books a long time ago but when a book stays with you and you remember what it was about it says a whole lot for the author.
January 4, 2016
A good read. Almost gave it a four, so it's a 3+++++++
February 20, 2011
Mine has a different cover/ different ed. Scan it later. Read it sometime? to re-read again.
December 7, 2020
I had read The Rhinemann Exchange when I was in school in the late eighties. After a generation later I thought reliving the Robert Ludlum experience and started the journey again into his books. The Rhinemann Exchange is one of the best books written by the master of intrigue, Mr. Robert Ludlum. This is because it has everything a top notch thriller should have; a heroic protagonist and crafty villains, beautiful women, action aplenty and more deceptions than you could ask for.
Underlying many of Ludlum’s works, is a certain ring of truth, a plot which is based on supposed happenings or rumours of underground dealings. This is no exception. The Faustian bargain was planned at the climax of the First World War though never happened. Here we have a book with a similar secretive bargain happening at the end of the Second World War. And the bargain lies central to the story.
Ludlum creates a world of mystery and intrigue based at the end of the Second World War. David Spaulding, who all men aspire to be although they may not know it, is a top level spy based in Lisbon who is entrusted with the procurement of gyroscopes from the Nazis in Buenos Aires. Little does he know that the Allies are exchanging some vital diamonds for the gyroscopes and that, in truth, both sides are aiding each other’s war efforts. However, neither side is playing fair, and Spaulding soon finds himself in the middle of an escalating situation only he does not know what the situation is. Spaulding is in the dark until he eventually sees the whole picture. He decides to stop the exchange culminating in a bloody battle at Rhinemann’s palace.
Mr. Ludlum’s novels stand the test of time. Put simply no-one quite writes like Ludlum. His fanatical attention to detail puts the reader in a bubble. You find yourself completely immersed in the story, happily drowning in the fiction whilst watching reality slip away. You forget you are in your home but feel as though you are alongside Spaulding trying to do the impossible and keep him safe. He is the ultimate hero, likeable, dashing, heroic but most importantly you can empathize with him. His background is well constructed and you understand that he is a man like you only one who has been honed into what he is today. However, he does not accept the tag of "the man from Lisbon" but constantly tries to shake it off. The man who does what he has to do, to pay the bills. Spaulding kills because he has no choice. We can empathize with that situation, one in which we do what we have to, not what we want to.
And this book boils down to choice. Spaulding chooses not to simply walk away. The Allies and Nazis choose to aid each other’s war efforts. But most importantly the reader has the choice whether to pick up another standard novel or to pick up a classic. Pick up a Ludlum; they are the books that still mesmerize you with the intrigue and tradecraft.
Underlying many of Ludlum’s works, is a certain ring of truth, a plot which is based on supposed happenings or rumours of underground dealings. This is no exception. The Faustian bargain was planned at the climax of the First World War though never happened. Here we have a book with a similar secretive bargain happening at the end of the Second World War. And the bargain lies central to the story.
Ludlum creates a world of mystery and intrigue based at the end of the Second World War. David Spaulding, who all men aspire to be although they may not know it, is a top level spy based in Lisbon who is entrusted with the procurement of gyroscopes from the Nazis in Buenos Aires. Little does he know that the Allies are exchanging some vital diamonds for the gyroscopes and that, in truth, both sides are aiding each other’s war efforts. However, neither side is playing fair, and Spaulding soon finds himself in the middle of an escalating situation only he does not know what the situation is. Spaulding is in the dark until he eventually sees the whole picture. He decides to stop the exchange culminating in a bloody battle at Rhinemann’s palace.
Mr. Ludlum’s novels stand the test of time. Put simply no-one quite writes like Ludlum. His fanatical attention to detail puts the reader in a bubble. You find yourself completely immersed in the story, happily drowning in the fiction whilst watching reality slip away. You forget you are in your home but feel as though you are alongside Spaulding trying to do the impossible and keep him safe. He is the ultimate hero, likeable, dashing, heroic but most importantly you can empathize with him. His background is well constructed and you understand that he is a man like you only one who has been honed into what he is today. However, he does not accept the tag of "the man from Lisbon" but constantly tries to shake it off. The man who does what he has to do, to pay the bills. Spaulding kills because he has no choice. We can empathize with that situation, one in which we do what we have to, not what we want to.
And this book boils down to choice. Spaulding chooses not to simply walk away. The Allies and Nazis choose to aid each other’s war efforts. But most importantly the reader has the choice whether to pick up another standard novel or to pick up a classic. Pick up a Ludlum; they are the books that still mesmerize you with the intrigue and tradecraft.
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