Rating: 
Summary: One of the best books I have ever read, from start to finish
Review: The only thing I regret about The Day of the Jackal is that I saw the movie first, so I knew basically what the storyline was before I ever picked up the book.However, what kept my interest up in reading the book was Forsyth's constant attention to intricate details, fascinating details that really painted the picture a lot more fully and clearly--and without giving away what was going to happen. And let's not forget the basic characters of the book--they were quite realistic in their thinking and in their actions based upon that thinking. The mark of a great author, at least as far as I see it, is the ability to create such realistic characters and not have to resort to contrivance to make a point. I touched on this a bit earlier, but I don't want to forget to mention specifically about the way Forsyth expertly kept the suspense building until the climactic point near the end. I could go on, but I would be giving away specific plot details by doing so. I strongly recommend for anyone to read this book. I can virtually guarantee that (s)he will not be disappointed in the least. Whether the reader's main interest is history, suspense, or just a good story doesn't matter.
Rating:
Summary: What do the French think?
Review: This novel, to my mind, is one of the most spectacularly thrilling yarns ever put on paper. So much so that I've often wondered if the details strike French citizens as compelling, even in a fictitious context. In any case Frederick Forsyth set an unmeetably high standard for his later novels with this nearly perfect first.
Rating: 
Summary: Definitely worth reading!!
Review: Suspenseful, entertaining, a very good read. Forsyth, though, was a bit slow in caputuring the readers' interest but as the book progressed, the reader is taken in by the plot and suspense to find out what happens next. I must agree with some of the previous critics though. Although it was necessary to give the reader very little direct information about the Jackal in order to effectively portray his character, a little bit more subtle or implied information could have been hinted hear and there concerning his training and so forth. Aditionally, although the book was a good read, I felt dissapointed with its ending. My final questions were, "that's it ... is that all?" However, these final quesitons also attest to the book's powerful plot and its ability to keep the reader engrossed to the very end. In spite of a few shortcomings, it's an overall good read and I definitely recommend it. I must commend Forsyth.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best thrillers I ever read
Review: This is the kind of book you can't stop reading until you reach the end. A lot of historical details, very plausible, Forsythe knows its subject. I read it while I was in Paris and discussed of the plot with some of my French friends. My conclusion: "It could really have happened!"
Rating:
Summary: Big Time Wrong!!!!
Review: This famous Jackal "EL CHACAL" is not an Englishmen, this character is a Venezuelan (South America). This is the real thing.. Remember Carlos "EL CHACAL"....
Rating:
Summary: The most thriller novel I have ever read...
Review: I was sixteen when I read this great novel.I was shocked and surprised.Nearly 20 years later,I read it again AND ...it was not halusination,it is full of power,suspense and IQ...F.FORSYTH is doing his job BEST...
Rating:
Summary: Unfortunately there are only 5 stars
Review: If I could, I would give this book at least 12 stars. This was the best book I have ever read, and I read all 500 pages in one day. I could not put this book down. At some points in the story I wondered why the book is classified as fiction, it was so realistic. The characters, especially the Jackal himself were incredible. To the person who gave the book 1 star: The fact that the book is all chasing each other around instead of shooting it out shows that the book has PLOT, something you may be unfamiliar with. I'm sure all the action junkies like you out there also hated the end, I mean ALL that happened was they said each others names and shot each other. The fact that all they could say was each others name only shows that the moment between the two main characters was so intense that they could not even speak, all they could do was acknowlege the others existence and skill. This was a masterful book, as are all the other Forsyth books I have read. I RECOMMEND IT!!
Rating:
Summary: An excellent book
Review: Excellent
Rating:
Summary: Superb debut novel!
Review: This was Mr. Forsyth's debut novel, and it couldn't have made a better impression so much as on the readers as on the critics. There was not one boring instant whatsoever and the suspense hung on throughout all of it's almost 500 pages. Now, to keep suspense going at such a length is already a major achievement. To do so right on his very first novel, is an even greater achievement. Mr. Forsyth showed himself as being a player who played his game really well, leaving the last hundred pages of his novel packed tight with tension, and the very last chapter with a slam-bang finale. Bravo!
Rating: 
Summary: Typical
Review: Your basic thriller. Nothing special. A quick, engaging read that is good for long flights.
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