Status
Available
Genres
Collection
Publication
Bantam (1982), 368 pages
Description
Fiction. Literature. Thriller. HTML:Her weapons: money and power. Her target: the most dangerous man in the world�??her own son. Elizabeth Wyckham Scarlatti has a plan, a desperate, last-minute gamble designed to save the world from her son, Ulster, an incalculably cruel man who is working for the Third Reich under the name of Heinrich Kroeger. If Elizabeth cannot stop him, Ulster will give Hitler the most powerful instrument on earth. Praise for Robert Ludlum and The Scarlatti Inheritance �??[Robert Ludlum] has that sense of drama and pace that only the best storytellers have.�?��??San Francisco Chronicle �??Gripping . . . Ludlum writes with imagination and convincing authority.�?��??Baltimore Sun �??Great, astonishing, the most spellbinding suspense in years!�?��??Minneapolis Star Tribune �??Drive and excitement from first page to last.�?��??Mario Pu… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member JohnWCuluris
This was my first Robert Ludlum novel, not because it was his first but because both he and it were recommended by the owner of a used book store I once frequented. So impressed I immediately bought his newest work at the time, something called The Bourne Identity. Ludlum had evolved in the ten
The Scarlatti Inheritance is Ludlum without padding. But fair warning, also without action and without long-ranging, deep-reaching conspiracies. This is the story of how the youngest son of an absurdly rich New York family came to be a high-ranking Nazi officer and it follows his plan to infuse the on-verge-of-defeat Germany with over a hundred million dollars in stolen money. He is opposed by his mother, the tough-minded family matriarch. The conflicts that ensue are more emotionally and financially based, even if they still affect the fate of humanity. And so, if admittedly not the Ludlum the world had come to know, a novel still riveting and well worth the read.
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years between the two books. Action had risen in prominence though not at the expense of intrigue. But there was another element that had appeared, which I confirmed with the next novel, The Parcifal Mosaic. These books ran about a quarter to a third longer than necessary. At what should have been the beginning of the end, a character heretofore not a part of the conspiracy would kill the hero’s only confederate before he could expose the plot. Now there was another layer of adversity to be overcome. I was clearly in the minority in my feelings regarding this development of style and story as Ludlum by then had readers in the millions.The Scarlatti Inheritance is Ludlum without padding. But fair warning, also without action and without long-ranging, deep-reaching conspiracies. This is the story of how the youngest son of an absurdly rich New York family came to be a high-ranking Nazi officer and it follows his plan to infuse the on-verge-of-defeat Germany with over a hundred million dollars in stolen money. He is opposed by his mother, the tough-minded family matriarch. The conflicts that ensue are more emotionally and financially based, even if they still affect the fate of humanity. And so, if admittedly not the Ludlum the world had come to know, a novel still riveting and well worth the read.
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LibraryThing member TadAD
Not the best early Ludlum book (I think it was his first), though a lot better than late Ludlum.
LibraryThing member gmillar
This one got me hooked on Ludlum as a great, fun read.
LibraryThing member ZoharLaor
Even though this is one of the first books Robert Ludlum it is one of the last ones I read so you could imagine my delight when I found this a Ludlum book I haven't yet read during a book drive at my daughter's school.
The book starts in Washington DC where Major Matthew Canfield is being sent to
From the second chapter, to one before last, the story is told as a back flash about the Scarlatti family. Giovanni Scarlatti, a poor but ingenious Italian immigrant, marries a rich heiress, his employer's daughter, named Elizabeth who helps him take over her business in as well as many other companies to become extremely rich within a decade.
The Scralattis had three sons, one died in WWI, the other was ordered by his mother not to enlist, and the third - the troublemaker - enlisted and, to everyone's surprise, became a war hero.
What no-one knew is that the third son, Ulster, coned his whole regiment to believe he killed many Germans and saved them all, only trying to escape the front. Together with a German officer he took on a second identity of a German solider he killed named Heinrich Kroeger.
Ulster's plan to bankrupt his family and help Hitler's Third Reich is the plot which takes us, his mother and the book's hero, field accountant (not yet Major) Canfield, around the globe and into mysterious financial transactions.
I'm a big Ludlum fan but honestly - I don't know what to think of this book. It's certainly isn't as good as other Ludlum books but it is an exciting read, well paced and the characters are not one-dimensional freaks.
The thing that this book falls short on is the ending. It seems that Ludlum used the "Star Trek" type ending - where a complex story is neatly tied up in 5 minutes or less.
The book starts in Washington DC where Major Matthew Canfield is being sent to
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meet a high ranking German official with promises to divulge information to help end WWII.From the second chapter, to one before last, the story is told as a back flash about the Scarlatti family. Giovanni Scarlatti, a poor but ingenious Italian immigrant, marries a rich heiress, his employer's daughter, named Elizabeth who helps him take over her business in as well as many other companies to become extremely rich within a decade.
The Scralattis had three sons, one died in WWI, the other was ordered by his mother not to enlist, and the third - the troublemaker - enlisted and, to everyone's surprise, became a war hero.
What no-one knew is that the third son, Ulster, coned his whole regiment to believe he killed many Germans and saved them all, only trying to escape the front. Together with a German officer he took on a second identity of a German solider he killed named Heinrich Kroeger.
Ulster's plan to bankrupt his family and help Hitler's Third Reich is the plot which takes us, his mother and the book's hero, field accountant (not yet Major) Canfield, around the globe and into mysterious financial transactions.
I'm a big Ludlum fan but honestly - I don't know what to think of this book. It's certainly isn't as good as other Ludlum books but it is an exciting read, well paced and the characters are not one-dimensional freaks.
The thing that this book falls short on is the ending. It seems that Ludlum used the "Star Trek" type ending - where a complex story is neatly tied up in 5 minutes or less.
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LibraryThing member jeffome
Enjoyed this very much. Lots of excitement and some interesting perspective on the lead-up to WWII and the horror of Nazi culture as seen through a thriller novelist's eyes. My only critique would center around the unlikelihood of lead character (the good guy!) having the ability to be so deeply
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involved with the violence, yet he was rarely a target himself when everyone else was being picked off like target practice. But when are there not unrealistic events in these books. Still a lot of fun and a nice break from some of the heavier more thoughtful things i am inclined to read. I have all of Ludlum's books and am looking forward to them all! Show Less
LibraryThing member AliceAnna
Not a typical Ludlum -- the majority of the novel takes place in the past. A pretty good story, but not one of the best. I did like the strength of the family matriarch in causing the ultimate demise of her son. She was a great character.
LibraryThing member Lukerik
Clunky, thinly written and ill-conceived. If you've heard good things about Ludlum and were looking to read something by him I recommend The Holcroft Covenant. To be fair, Scarlatti does pick up slightly in the second half but I'm rating by the weakest link. Goodbye.
LibraryThing member Zare
This is what I call forensic-type thriller. Majority of the story is after the fact detective report - target of the investigation is known and reader slowly learns about the events and people surrounding him. Because of this approach Ludlum's style (in this novel) reminds me very much of
Main antagonist (de facto main character of the book) is introduced at the very start. What is revealed as the story progresses is how wealthy Scarlatti family found itself on the brink of bankruptcy at the dawn of the WW2. To explain that author takes us to the very beginning - early 1900's.
So first we are introduced to the Scarlatti family and the way it became the most powerful family in the world, eclipsing all other multi-millionaires through shrewd investments and take-no-prisoner attitude. To expect that such approach to work and life wont bring the worst to the surface is a folly so all the worst in the Scarlatti family came to be embodied in form of the youngest son. His sadistic character surfaced during WW1 and prohibition era - being a member of the elite has its perks so he managed to get out of the way of problems with little effort, just by distancing from troublesome elements. And as soon everyone thought they know him he decides to change his life-style, gets married and decides to learn family business. All was well until he suddenly disappeared same day his wife gave birth to their son.
What happened to him is something nobody cannot figure out but considering his temperament they all think he is just venting out abroad. In the meantime US government gets more and more interested because of suspicious money transfers that are all linked to Scarlatti Industries. So when thread starts to unravel it becomes clear that something huge is in making - mighty financiers are on the move and concentrating their wealth in Europe for unknown reason. At the same time very dark political power starts to rise in Germany groaning under the Versailles Treaty conditions ready to accept anyone who will turn the wheel of fortune for its benefit. This will bring wayward son into conflict with his family and might even seal the fate of the most powerful financial empire of the first half of 20th century.
Author gives rather troubling picture of true people of power who are ready to do whatever is required in order to gain more power and profit. As they say power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Excellent novel, I truly liked the intricacies of the plot and I find final resolution to be very elegant. These are not the people one can shoot or who dirty their hands. Only thing they react to is direct threat to their financial interests.
Highly recommended to all thriller and conspiracy theory fans.
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Forsyth.Main antagonist (de facto main character of the book) is introduced at the very start. What is revealed as the story progresses is how wealthy Scarlatti family found itself on the brink of bankruptcy at the dawn of the WW2. To explain that author takes us to the very beginning - early 1900's.
So first we are introduced to the Scarlatti family and the way it became the most powerful family in the world, eclipsing all other multi-millionaires through shrewd investments and take-no-prisoner attitude. To expect that such approach to work and life wont bring the worst to the surface is a folly so all the worst in the Scarlatti family came to be embodied in form of the youngest son. His sadistic character surfaced during WW1 and prohibition era - being a member of the elite has its perks so he managed to get out of the way of problems with little effort, just by distancing from troublesome elements. And as soon everyone thought they know him he decides to change his life-style, gets married and decides to learn family business. All was well until he suddenly disappeared same day his wife gave birth to their son.
What happened to him is something nobody cannot figure out but considering his temperament they all think he is just venting out abroad. In the meantime US government gets more and more interested because of suspicious money transfers that are all linked to Scarlatti Industries. So when thread starts to unravel it becomes clear that something huge is in making - mighty financiers are on the move and concentrating their wealth in Europe for unknown reason. At the same time very dark political power starts to rise in Germany groaning under the Versailles Treaty conditions ready to accept anyone who will turn the wheel of fortune for its benefit. This will bring wayward son into conflict with his family and might even seal the fate of the most powerful financial empire of the first half of 20th century.
Author gives rather troubling picture of true people of power who are ready to do whatever is required in order to gain more power and profit. As they say power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Excellent novel, I truly liked the intricacies of the plot and I find final resolution to be very elegant. These are not the people one can shoot or who dirty their hands. Only thing they react to is direct threat to their financial interests.
Highly recommended to all thriller and conspiracy theory fans.
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Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1971
Physical description
368 p.; 4.18 inches
ISBN
0553271466 / 9780553271461