Spy stories may not be...
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Spy stories may not be on everyone's reading list. However, if one gets a taste of these stories that can be superthrillers, one has to be impressed how much the authors have to know about the intricacies of geography, technology, political science, and psychology. One example is Robert Ludlum, who grinds out such stories apparently with some regularity. In his novel, The Bourne Ultimatum, David Webb, a professor of Oriental studies, has to give up his identity to resume the personality of Jason Bourne, a government agent. His avowed enemy is the Jackal, international terrorist. The tension between the two is heightened by his awareness that not only his personal safety but the well being of his family is at stake. The Jackal proves to be elusive, and Bourne's pursuit becomes all the more frenzied, because Bourne is convinced death for his entire family is imminent as long as the Jackal is alive. People are fascinated by such a story, because they see it as a parable on their own lives. For them what is parabolic is that they have their own enemies they fight in one way or another, and they are hopeful that they can win like the hero in the story. It is the Apostle Paul who reminds us that we all have common enemies that are not imaginary, and that we also have a sure and certain hope that we can overcome anything that would detract us from the goal our Lord has won for us. -- Huxhold
