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)

Quite a chase!

This story is quite a chase as we ride along on the investigation for a mysterious man who has been hired to kill France's president. The story is written very engagingly, and I found myself really hoping for the success of all of the authorities involved. But also, I liked the character of the Jackal. Several of his actions and reasons I could totally understand.

Overall, this is an enjoyable story and totally worth the listen. And Simon Prebble does a great job of narration.

A Classic

I'd read the book back in the 60's or 70's. Since then I've forgotten the details so this was a new book once again. I enjoyed it over 3-4 days and looked forward to resuming the book where I left off. If you enjoy these types of books (Lone Assassin vs the "System," ) then you'll not have any complaints. And the reader was excellent. He could pronounce all the foreign words that gave me such trouble while reading. A nice English accent.

Great old espionage thriller!

This 1971 novel is set in 1963 France where the French outlaw group Organisation de l'armée secrète (OAS) hired an Englishman who used the name The Jackal to kill Charles de Gaulle. The suspense is intense.

Captivating!

I really enjoyed this novel. the narrator was very good and made the story come to life. I think the story took a little bit to get going, but towards the end, I didn't want to stop listening!

Great story tough beginning

Stick out the history lesson at the beginning. It gets good after that. Excellent story.