The Day of the Jackal

By: Frederick Forsyth

Narrated by: Simon Prebble

Length: 13 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

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)

Beautifully crafted and narrated

Clever story, beautifully written and superbly narrated. Forsyth constructed a masterpiece that is as good to listen to today as to read when it was originally written.

Classic

Even if you don't like crime dramas or spy stories you will love this thriller.

Great Forsyth

Would you consider the audio edition of The Day of the Jackal to be better than the print version?

I really enjoyed this novel. Well read, with great attention to the characters, I was pulled into the story from the beginning. Definitely recommend it!

Jackal lands on all fours

Would you consider the audio edition of The Day of the Jackal to be better than the print version?

i enjoyed the audio version more than the print version. It seemed to flow like a story that has been told over and over.

Which scene was your favorite?

kitchen scene

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

listening in one sittting would be optimal.

Amazing

I got this book not knowing what to expect, and it did not disappoint. The entire time I was listening, I was envisioning a modern day take on the story in the style of the imitation gameand other successful periodpieces. I have not seen the movie, but this book is highly recommended. It is the perfect bookto scratch a thrilling espionage itch

Love it!!

Great in all respects. Highly recommended action thriller. You won't be able to stop listening. I'm going to look for more great books from the same author.

GREAT READ, BLAST FROM THE PAST!

A great story never fails to entertain. combine a great story with an amazing performance by the reader and u end up with a truly enjoyable experience.

A Classic Thriller/Police Procedural.

Frederick Forsyth is a masterful writer. This is as much a police procedural as a thriller. It never bores or flags in its pace. To listen to this is to understand why it was the perfect subject for a movie (twice) with its straightforward story. The only mystery is how he hid the rifle and the only twist is one of identity and yet the plot engrosses totally.

Forsyth is a master storyteller

A gripping tale, blending fact and fiction into a fascinating web of deception and violence. Superb.

Riveting book, fabulous narration

One of the best books I've listened to in a long time The narrator is fantastic and I would listen to anything that he narrates