“[The Chancellor Manuscript] exerts a riveting appeal, as it seems to justify our worst nightmares of what really goes on in the so-called intelligence community in Washington.”—The New York Times Book Review Did J. Edgar Hoover die a natural death? Or was he murdered? When a group of high-minded and high-placed intellectuals known as Inver Brass detect a monstrous threat to the country in Hoover’s unethical use of his scandal-ridden private files, they decide to do away with him—quietly, efficiently, with no hint of impropriety. Then bestselling thriller writer Peter Chancellor stumbles onto information that makes his previous books look like harmless fairy tales. Now Chancellor and Inver Brass are on a deadly collision course, spiraling across the globe in an ever-widening arc of violence and terror. All roads lead to a showdown that will rip the nation’s capital apart—leaving only one damning document to survive. Praise for Robert Ludlum and The Chancellor Manuscript “Ludlum stuffs more surprises into his novels than any other six-pack of thriller writers combined.”—The New York Times “Engrossing . . . pure, adrenaline-raising escapism.”—King Features Syndicate “A roaring ride on a roller coaster of suspense.”—The Pittsburgh Press “Powerhouse momentum . . . as shrill as the siren on the prowl car.”—Kirkus Reviews “A complex scenario of inventive double-crossing.”—Chicago Sun-Times
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"I'm a big fan of Robert Ludlum. This was a typical Ludlum thriller. He twists fantasy and reality and has the reader guessing what is fact and what is fiction the whole way. The Chancellor Manuscript was very good. The only thing that kept it from 5 stars was that I didn't connect all that well with the lead character, Peter Chancellor. Otherwise all the Ludlum strengths were on display."
— Paul (4 out of 5 stars)
“Exerts a riveting appeal, as it seems to justify our worst nightmares of what really goes on in the so-called intelligence community in Washington.”
— New York Times Book Review" Intrigueing spy novel with twisting plot. "
— David, 2/16/2014" A well conceived plot with lot of twists.. Though the end was somewhat disappointing!! "
— Rupesh, 2/11/2014" This was ok but a little slow for ludlum. Plenty of twists and turns and still a good read "
— James, 2/7/2014" I didn't realize when I started reading this that this week marks the 40th anniversary of the death of J. Edgar Hoover. Which is kinda funny. . . cause the book starts off with a bunch of guys assassinating Hoover. "
— Popebrak, 2/6/2014" Very exciting book loved it could not put it down. "
— Sheila, 1/13/2014" nearly to the end. It's a good book. But don't expect as Bourne series. "
— Ashish, 1/2/2014" This was the first and last Ludlum book I read. I found it tedious. Too many details and not enough suspense for what is supposed to be a suspense/action novel. "
— Elissa, 12/18/2013" Political intrigue writer writes a novel to close to the real life events that may him a target. So very Ludlum. Power in knowledge and knowledge of power. I recall this a semi interesting. "
— John, 12/11/2013" This is my favorite Ludlum book of all time. I devoured it. It has a bit of historical fiction in it but stays the espionage course as well. I would rate it "R" if it were a movie due to language and some scene description but it's a great read if you like spy novels. Ludlum is a master storyteller. "
— Mary, 12/9/2013" for just a fun read, ludlum is a fall-back favorite. 'the chancellor manuscript' may be his best. a book inside a book (inside a book?). great fun and a terrific book. "
— Bob, 12/4/2013" My first of many R. Ludlum books. He was very good at espionage. "
— Tucki, 11/11/2013" This was the first Robert Ludlum (Bourne Identity) that I read. His early books are great suspense novels. I enjoyed the first couple of Bourne Identity books but the later ones have a lot of violence. "
— Beverly, 11/1/2013" Excellent historical thriller of what might have been behind the death of J. Edgar Hoover. "
— Velimir, 10/30/2013" I struggled with this overlong and confusing book. I persevered only because I had nothing else to read (apart from the cumbersome 'Breath of snow and ashes'). The ending, when it finally came, was a bit of an anticlimax - not that I actually cared what happened. I was relieved it was finally over. "
— Jud, 10/19/2013" This book goes on my "Will read over and over again" shelf! It's one of the few fiction books I've read that left me wondering if it could very well be non-fiction! Excellent writing! Superb plot! A must read! "
— Valerie, 8/1/2013" Maybe I'm just getting used to these global conspiracies. This book was thrilling in parts and I did read it rather quickly. "
— John, 7/19/2013" my favorite of all his books "
— Jerry, 6/16/2013" I have loved every Robert Ludlum book that I've read. Excellent characters and plots! "
— Margaret, 6/14/2013" The first 90% of this book is crazy addicting, but the ending, while unexpected, wasn't great. Could have been 100 pages shorter. Best Ludlum I've read, tho. "
— David, 5/22/2013" this book was published in 1977. i thought the political paralells to this election year were particularly remarkable. "
— Lori, 5/22/2013" As usual Mr Ludlum gives us great story,with twists and turns throughout. "
— Tom, 2/25/2013" Robbie hasn't read this one. "
— Robbie, 1/25/2013" One word for this book .... "AMAZING" "
— Madhur, 1/17/2013" Personally for me, I didn't find this all that compelling compared to the other Ludlum I have read. I think it might especially be lost on anyone too young to remember J.Edgar Hoover, whose death plays a prominent role in setting up the entire story. "
— Stephen, 12/4/2012" I felt like I should have loved it and really, I didn't and well, it was disappointing. It should have not been so predictable. "
— April, 10/29/2012" This book had a little sex in it. Not graphic. It took me awhile to get into the book and then I didn't want to stop until I was done. The author weaves a good web of suspense. "
— Robert, 10/27/2012" I love Ludlum, and this is the one that started my love affair with his writing. "
— Joe, 10/18/2012Robert Ludlum (1927–2001) was the author of twenty-five 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. His works include The Scarlatti Inheritance, The Chancellor Manuscript, and, perhaps most famously, the Jason Bourne series—The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy, and The Bourne Ultimatum—among others. The Bourne novels were the basis for three blockbuster films. Born in New York City, Ludlum received a BA from Wesleyan University, and before becoming an author, he was a United States Marine, a theater actor, and a producer.
Grover Gardner (a.k.a. Tom Parker) is an award-winning narrator with over a thousand titles to his credit. Named one of the “Best Voices of the Century” and a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine, he has won three prestigious Audie Awards, was chosen Narrator of the Year for 2005 by Publishers Weekly, and has earned more than thirty Earphones Awards.