When you think of Carlos the Jackal, you probably picture a suave, cold-blooded hitman roaming the capitals of the world. He has every action planned to the most minute detail. He can think on his feet. He is James Bond without a moral core.
That’s a cool visual and all, but the real Carlos the Jackal was actually pretty terrible at being a terrorist. Quite frankly, it’s a way more interesting story than I expected. Also, it probably makes sense that your life would suck when you’re a terrible person on everyone’s radar.
Joby Warrick tells the true story of Carlos in the aptly titled The Jackal. Warrick is a multiple Pulitzer Prize winner and that is totally clear from page one. He masterfully tackles the action, the intrigue, and, most importantly, separates the fact from fiction. This is so vital because Carlos is a well-known liar in every aspect of life. Multiple wives, murdered friends, and stolen money are just the tip of the iceberg.
I was most impressed by how Warrick cuts through all the unnecessary details and keeps the story focused on Carlos and those directly involved with him. It is the type of book that can quickly spiral out of control if the author doesn’t have a clear vision of the narrative. There is no extraneous material, and it feels like a 200-page book even though it’s well over 300. This is exactly the book you want it to be when you read the title. So enjoy!
(This book was provided as an advanced reader copy by NetGalley and Scribner.)
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