The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum

(pb; 1980: first book in the Jason Bourne series) 

A wounded man, rescued from the sea, discovers that he is more than he thought, and finds himself hunted by various agencies and people, not the least of whom is Ilich Ramirez Sanchez, aka the Carlos the Jackal (loosely based on a real-life assassin). 

Identity is classic Ludlum: Bourne, like most of Ludlum's protagonists, is well-developed, as are all of the characters in this novel. These personalities further convolute an already complex, international-in-scope plot, resulting in some memorably slick action sequences amidst detailed settings. Bourne's initially-unwilling female companion, Marie St. Jacques, is a great foil to Bourne, and complements him. Hairpin, often surprising, twists highlight this novel, making this a delight to read. Followed by The Bourne Supremacy. 

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This novel has been filmed twice, first as a mini-series, later as a theatrical release. The television mini-series version, bearing the name of its source novel, aired on American television on May 8, 1988. Roger Young directed the mini-series, from a script by Carol Sobieski. 

Richard Chamberlain played Jason Bourne. Jaclyn Smith played Marie St. Jacques. Anthony Quayle played Gen. François Villiers. Donald Moffat played David Abbott. Yorgo Voyagis played Carlos. Peter Vaughn played Fritz Koenig. Denholm Elliott played Dr. Geoffrey Washburn. 

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The theatrical film was released stateside on June 14, 2002. Matt Damon played Jason Bourne. Franka Potente played Marie St. Jacques. Chris Cooper played Alexander Conklin. Clive Owen played The Professor. Brian Cox played Ward Abbott. Gabriel Mann played Danny Zorn. Walton Goggins played "Research Tech". Doug Liman directed the film, from a script by Tony Gilroy and W. Blake Herron (billed as William Blake Herron).

The Bourne Supremacy by Robert Ludlum

(pb; 1986: second book in the Jason Bourne series) 

Nine years have passed since the events of The Bourne Identity, and Bourne, now called David Webb (his real identity), is living in Maine, (somewhat) enjoying the sedate life of a college professor – he's still tormented by just-out-of-reach memories, memories that are violent, dark and rooted in Vietnam War-era Cambodia, but he's less volatile these days. A big reason for that is Marie St. Jacques, who became his wife shortly after the first novel, is with him and has borne him a six-month old son, Jamie. Alex Conklin, Webb's former CIA-handler-turned-enemy, is back, also, this time as Webb's friend. Morris Panov, a blunt psychiatrist, is also is in Webb's life, helping Webb recover his memories – and his sense of well-being. Much of that is shattered when a Kowloon massacre is falsely linked to Webb/Bourne. It appears that there's an assassin on the loose, one using Bourne's moniker. Not only that, he's targeted Webb/Bourne's family, as well.

The action of The Bourne Supremacy doesn't kick in immediately. Ludlum uses the first few chapters to set up Webb/Bourne's (relative) peace of mind before blowing it to bits. After that, Webb/Bourne goes back into the jungle, battling corrupt (or misguided) political powers-that-be, brutal killers and his own past. 

Ludlum saddles Webb/Bourne with a dual personality, and it sometimes it makes for an awkward read. The Webb aspect of Webb/Bourne is shaken at the thought of returning to the violent life, all the while worrying about Marie and Jamie. The Bourne aspect is ruthless and calculating, doing what he needs to do to win this death game. Despite the occasional awkwardness, this makes Webb/Bourne read like a real person, if a wildly conflicted one. The action, of course, is slick-cinematic and exciting. The twists are still fresh and believable. And the ending, with its many unanswered questions, is satisfying, while providing enough material for the next two Bourne novels, the first of which is The Bourne Ultimatum.

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 The film version of The Bourne Supremacy was released stateside on July 23, 2004. Paul Greengrass directed the film, from a script by Tony Gilroy.

  Matt Damon reprised his role of Jason Bourne. Franka Potente reprised her role of Marie St. Jacques. Brian Cox reprised his role of Ward Abbott. Julia Stiles reprised her role of Nicolette "Nicky" Parsons. Gabriel Mann reprised his role of Danny Zorn. Joan Allen played Pamela Landy. Karl Urban played Kirill. Michelle Monaghan played Kim. Tom Gallop played Tom Cronin.