The Day of the Jackal

By: Frederick Forsyth

Narrated by: Simon Prebble

One of the most celebrated thrillers ever written, The Day of the Jackal is the electrifying story of an anonymous Englishman who in, the spring of 1963, was hired by Colonel Marc Rodin, operations chief of the O.A.S., to assassinate General de Gaulle.

France was infuriated by Charles de Gaulle's withdrawal from Algeria, and there were six known attempts to assassinate the general that failed. This novel dramatizes the seventh, mostly deadly attempt, involving a professional killer for hire who would be unknown to the French Police. His code name was Jackal, his price half a million dollars, and his demand total secrecy, even from his employers.

Step by painstaking step, we follow the Jackal in his meticulous planning, from the fashioning of a specially made rifle to the devising of his approach to the time and the place where the general is to meet the Jackal's bullet. The only obstacle in his path is a small, diffident, rumpled policeman, who happens to be considered by his boss the best detective in France: Deputy Commissaire Claude Lebel.

©1971 Frederick Forsyth (P)2009 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"A masterpiece tour de force of crisp, sharp, suspenseful writing." ( Wall Street Journal)
"Compelling, utterly enthralling....Some of the tensest thriller writing I can remember reading." ( Sunday Express, London)

Tight & fantastic political/cat-and-mouse thriller

Edgar award winner 'The Day of the Jackal' is well-paced, originally plotted and filled with amazing research. Forsyth clearly belongs among the top ranks of the great thriller writers. He is often immitated (Clancy, Thor, McBain) but NEVER really replicated.

Beyond the merits of the novel itself, the Day of the Jackal has also influenced actual assassins (Yigal Amir and Vladimir Arutinian), inspired the nickname for Ilich Ramírez Sánchez (aka Carlos the 'Jackal') and provided both an inspiration to and techniques for several genearations of identiy thieves. That is a helluva lot for just one novel's resume.

One of the best thrillers I've ever read!

This is my second time reading this book. My first time was decades ago, in paperback. It's still as riveting, tense, educational, meticulous, and satisfying as my first time! Frederick Forsyth is a master storyteller!

I loved watching the cat and mouse game between these two adversaries (the Jackal and detective) at the height of their wits and powers.

Now I plan to watch the movie, starring Edward Fox, and reread Forsyth's other masterpiece, "The Odessa File."

An interesting read

This book has intreague, but it lacks mystery and suspense. I enjoyed the book well enough that I could recommend it to others, but it would not be at the top of my conversation.

Great suspense story!

Very well done, historically based fiction. Keeps you on the edge waiting for the next development. So realistic sounding it could have easily been a true story.

Great story, great reader.

Any additional comments?

Forsyth is a great author. The Day of the Jackal has you on the edge of your seat throughout. I listen to books in my car. I would find myself pulling into a parking lot and unable to get out until I found out what happened next ... and next. The reader, Simon Prebble, is very good too. Good enough that, when Audible recommended The Irregulars, I gave it a try when I saw that he read that one too. Highly recommend The Day of the Jackal.

Incredibly gripping, historical event.

A detailed recital about how a mercenary, hired by the OAS, planned the execution of the president of France, Charles De Gaulle in 1962.
Once you start, you won't stop.

I enjoyed this book

This is a well done audiobook. Interesting story and well read. I wish it was longer however.

A good ride

The story builds momentum through out but does not over sensationalize the characters or the drama. Forsyth tries to employ a Hemingway style with good effect.

Outstanding!

I read this the first time years ago and I remembered it as being very hard to put down, so I was excited to hear the audiobook. It was the first thing I listened to in the morning and the last thing I listened to at night. This is a book that has lost nothing with time!

one of the best

Forsyth is one of the best writers of thrillers ever, and this is one of his best. the preformance was excellent.