The Day of the Jackal Book PDF: The History and Fiction Behind the Plot to Assassinate de Gaulle

# The Day of the Jackal Book PDF Free 14 - Introduction - A brief summary of the book and its author - The main themes and genres of the book - The historical context and background of the book - Part One: Anatomy of a Plot - A summary of the first part of the book, which covers the failed attempts to assassinate de Gaulle by the OAS and their decision to hire a professional assassin - An analysis of the characters and motivations of the OAS leaders and the Jackal - A discussion of the techniques and challenges of writing a political thriller based on real events - Part Two: Anatomy of a Manhunt - A summary of the second part of the book, which covers the investigation and pursuit of the Jackal by the French secret service and other agencies - An analysis of the characters and methods of Claude Lebel, the detective in charge of finding the Jackal, and his counterparts in other countries - A discussion of the suspense and tension created by the cat-and-mouse game between the Jackal and his pursuers - Part Three: Anatomy of a Kill - A summary of the third part of the book, which covers the final preparations and execution of the assassination attempt by the Jackal on August 25, 1963 - An analysis of the climax and resolution of the book, and the fate of the Jackal and his enemies - A discussion of the impact and legacy of the book on popular culture and literature - Conclusion - A recap of the main points and arguments of the article - An evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of the book as a work of fiction and history - A recommendation for readers who are interested in similar books or topics Here is a table that compares some features of The Day of the Jackal with other famous political thrillers: Title Author Year Setting Plot Style --- --- --- --- --- --- The Day of the Jackal Frederick Forsyth 1971 France, 1962-1963 An English assassin is hired by a French terrorist group to kill President Charles de Gaulle Realistic, detailed, suspenseful The Manchurian Candidate Richard Condon 1959 USA, 1950s-1960s A former prisoner of war is brainwashed by communists to assassinate a presidential candidate Satirical, paranoid, complex The Bourne Identity Robert Ludlum 1980 Europe, 1970s-1980s A man with amnesia discovers that he is a CIA operative targeted by assassins Action-packed, fast-paced, intricate The Hunt for Red October Tom Clancy 1984 Atlantic Ocean, 1984 A Soviet submarine captain defects to the West with a nuclear-powered submarine Technological, military, geopolitical Here is an article based on that outline: # The Day of the Jackal Book PDF Free 14 The Day of the Jackal is a political thriller novel by English author Frederick Forsyth that was published in 1971. It tells the story of a professional assassin who is hired by a French dissident paramilitary organisation, called the OAS, to kill Charles de Gaulle, the President of France. The novel is based on real historical events and characters, but it also incorporates fictional elements and scenarios. The novel is widely regarded as one of the best examples of its genre, and it has influenced many other writers and filmmakers. In this article, we will provide a summary and analysis of The Day of the Jackal, as well as some information about its author, themes, genres, historical context, background, impact, and legacy. We will also provide some recommendations for readers who are interested in similar books or topics. ## Introduction Frederick Forsyth was born in 1938 in England. He was a journalist and a spy before he became a novelist. He worked as a reporter for Reuters and BBC News in various countries, including France, Germany, Nigeria, Czechoslovakia, and East Germany. He also served as an agent for MI6, Britain's foreign intelligence service. He used his experience and knowledge to write realistic and detailed novels about espionage, politics, war, crime, and terrorism. The Day of the Jackal was his second novel, after The Odessa File (1972), which was also a political thriller. He wrote the novel in 35 days, using a typewriter and a lot of research. He was inspired by the actual attempts to assassinate de Gaulle by the OAS, a militant right-wing group that opposed his policy of granting independence to Algeria, a former French colony. Forsyth had witnessed some of the events and interviewed some of the people involved in the plot, including Jean-Marie Bastien-Thiry, the leader of the Petit-Clamart attack in 1962, who was later executed by firing squad. The novel is divided into three parts: Anatomy of a Plot, Anatomy of a Manhunt, and Anatomy of a Kill. Each part follows the parallel stories of the Jackal, the assassin, and Claude Lebel, the detective who is trying to stop him. The novel combines historical facts with fictional scenarios and characters, creating a plausible and suspenseful narrative that keeps the reader guessing until the end. The novel explores various themes and genres, such as political history, espionage, terrorism, assassination, crime, morality, identity, and fate. It also raises questions about the nature and consequences of violence, power, loyalty, justice, and freedom. It is a novel that reflects the turbulent and changing times of the 1960s, when the world was divided by ideological conflicts and threatened by nuclear war. ## Part One: Anatomy of a Plot The first part of the novel covers the events from August 1962 to January 1963. It begins with a prologue that describes the failed attempt to assassinate de Gaulle by Bastien-Thiry and his accomplices at Petit-Clamart, a suburb of Paris. The attack is foiled by de Gaulle's security team and his own luck. The prologue ends with Bastien-Thiry's arrest and interrogation by the French secret service. The main plot begins with Rodin, the deputy leader of the OAS, meeting with his two associates, Casson and Montclair, in Rome. They discuss their situation and their options. They realize that they have been infiltrated by informers and that their previous attempts to kill de Gaulle have been unsuccessful. They decide that they need to hire a professional assassin from outside their organisation, someone who is unknown to both the French authorities and their own members. They contact an Englishman who is reputed to be one of the best assassins in Europe. He agrees to meet them in Vienna. He arrives under the name of Charles Calthrop, but he does not reveal his real identity or his background. He demands $500,000 for his services: half in advance and half on completion. He also chooses his own codename: The Jackal. The Jackal begins his preparations for the assassination. He obtains a fake British passport under the name of Paul Oliver Duggan. He travels to Brussels, where he commissions a gunsmith to make him a custom-made sniper rifle that can be disassembled and concealed in a crutch. He also acquires forged papers that will allow him to enter France as an injured veteran named Martin Bormann. He flies to Paris and scouts for possible locations to shoot de Gaulle from. He settles on an apartment overlooking the Place du 18 Juin 1940, where de Gaulle is scheduled to give a speech on August 25, 1963. He rents the apartment under another alias: Alexandre Dumas. Meanwhile, the French secret service is alerted by their informers that the OAS has hired an unknown assassin to kill de Gaulle. They assign their best detective, Claude Lebel, to find him and stop him. Lebel is given full authority and resources to conduct his investigation. He is assisted by his deputy Caron and his secretary Denise. Lebel contacts various intelligence agencies around Europe to ask for their cooperation and information. He learns that Calthrop is a possible suspect who has recently left England with a fake passport. He also learns that Calthrop has visited Brussels and bought some equipment from a gunsmith. Lebel traces Calthrop's movements to Paris and orders a raid on his hotel room. However, he is too late: The Jackal has already checked out and moved to another hotel under another name: Per Lundquist. ## Part Two: Anatomy of a Manhunt The second part of the novel covers the events from January 1963 to August 1963. It follows the parallel stories of The Jackal and Lebel as they try to outsmart each other. The Jackal continues his preparations for the assassination. He tests his rifle in a forest near Paris. He also seduces various women who can help him with his cover or his escape plan. One of them is Colette de Montpellier, a bored aristocrat who lives in a chateau near Versailles. Another one is Denise Boucher, Lebel's secretary. Lebel continues his investigation with increasing urgency and frustration. He faces various obstacles and challenges from his superiors, his colleagues ## Part Three: Anatomy of a Kill The third part of the novel covers the events from August 22 to August 25, 1963. It follows the final stages of the Jackal's plan and the climax of the book. The Jackal arrives at Colette's chateau and hides his rifle and his crutch in her car. He then drives to Paris with her, pretending to be her lover. He checks into a hotel near the Place du 18 Juin 1940 and waits for his opportunity. Lebel finally identifies the Jackal as Charles Calthrop, a former British army officer who fought in Algeria and became a mercenary. He alerts the British authorities, who raid Calthrop's flat and find his real passport. They also discover that Calthrop has a connection to Denise Boucher, Lebel's secretary. Lebel realizes that Denise has been leaking information to the OAS and that she is in love with Calthrop. He confronts her and forces her to reveal Calthrop's whereabouts. He then rushes to the hotel where Calthrop is staying, but he is too late: Calthrop has already left for his final destination. On August 25, de Gaulle arrives at the Place du 18 Juin 1940 to give his speech. The Jackal is already in position in the apartment overlooking the square. He assembles his rifle and aims at de Gaulle's head. He fires just as de Gaulle leans forward to kiss his wife's cheek, missing him by inches. The Jackal quickly disassembles his rifle and escapes through the back door of the apartment. He runs into Lebel, who has followed him from the hotel. They exchange gunfire, wounding each other. The Jackal manages to reach Colette's car and drives away. Lebel pursues him in another car, along with Caron and other policemen. They chase him to a railway station, where the Jackal abandons Colette's car and boards a train. Lebel follows him on foot and confronts him on the platform. The Jackal pulls out his pistol and shoots Lebel in the chest, but Lebel is wearing a bulletproof vest. Lebel then shoots the Jackal in the head, killing him instantly. The novel ends with an epilogue that reveals that de Gaulle was never aware of the assassination attempt or the manhunt for the Jackal. He continues his presidency until 1969, when he resigns after losing a referendum on constitutional reform. The OAS is eventually defeated and disbanded by 1965. ## Conclusion The Day of the Jackal is a classic political thriller novel that combines historical facts with fictional scenarios and characters. It is a gripping and realistic story that keeps the reader on edge until the end. The novel showcases Forsyth's skills as a writer and a researcher. He creates a believable and complex plot that involves multiple perspectives, locations, and details. He also creates memorable and intriguing characters, such as the Jackal, who is a cold and ruthless professional, and Lebel, who is a diligent and determined detective. The novel also reflects the political and social context of its time. It depicts the tensions and conflicts that arose from de Gaulle's decision to grant independence to Algeria, which angered many French nationalists and veterans. It also portrays the challenges and dangers of counter-terrorism and espionage in the Cold War era. The novel has had a lasting impact on popular culture and literature. It has been adapted into two films: The Day of the Jackal (1973), directed by Fred Zinnemann and starring Edward Fox as the Jackal; and The Jackal (1997), directed by Michael Caton-Jones and starring Bruce Willis as a different version of the assassin. The novel has also influenced many other writers and filmmakers who have used similar themes or plots in their works. The Day of the Jackal is a novel that deserves its reputation as one of the best political thrillers ever written. It is a novel that will appeal to readers who enjoy history, suspense, action, and intrigue. Here are some frequently asked questions about The Day of the Jackal: - Q: Is The Day of the Jackal based on a true story? - A: The novel is based on real historical events and characters, but it also incorporates fictional elements and scenarios. The OAS did exist and did try to assassinate de Gaulle several times, but they never hired an English assassin named Charles Calthrop or codenamed The Jackal. - Q: Who is the Jackal and what is his real name? - A: The Jackal is a professional assassin who is hired by the OAS to kill de Gaulle. His real name is never revealed in the novel, but he uses various aliases, such as Charles Calthrop, Paul Oliver Duggan, Martin Bormann, Alexandre Dumas, and Per Lundquist. - Q: How does the Jackal plan to kill de Gaulle? - A: The Jackal plans to kill de Gaulle with a custom-made sniper rifle that can be disassembled and concealed in a crutch. He also obtains forged papers that allow him to enter France as an injured veteran. He rents an apartment overlooking the Place du 18 Juin 1940, where de Gaulle is scheduled to give a speech on August 25, 1963. He fires at de Gaulle from the window of the apartment, but misses him by inches. - Q: How does Lebel find out about the Jackal and his plot? - A: Lebel is assigned by the French government to find and stop the Jackal. He contacts various intelligence agencies around Europe to ask for their cooperation and information. He learns that Calthrop is a possible suspect who has recently left England with a fake passport. He also learns that Calthrop has visited Brussels and bought some equipment from a gunsmith. He traces Calthrop's movements to Paris and orders a raid on his hotel room. However, he is too late: Calthrop has already checked out and moved to another hotel under another name. Lebel finally identifies Calthrop as the Jackal with the help of Denise Boucher, his secretary, who is in love with Calthrop and has been leaking information to the OAS. - Q: How does the novel end and what happens to the Jackal and Lebel? - A: The novel ends with Lebel killing the Jackal at a railway station after a car chase and a gunfight. The Jackal shoots Lebel in the chest, but Lebel is wearing a bulletproof vest. Lebel then shoots the Jackal in the head, killing him instantly. Lebel survives his wounds and receives a medal for his service. De Gaulle is never aware of the assassination attempt or the manhunt for the Jackal. He continues his presidency until 1969, when he resigns after losing a referendum on constitutional reform.

The Day Of The Jackal Book Pdf Free 14

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