Originally published in 1971 by Frederick Forsyth, The Day of the Jackal
is considered a definitive masterpiece of the political thriller genre. The story follows a professional assassin known only by the codename "Jackal," who is hired to kill French President Charles de Gaulle. Historical Foundations
The novel is grounded in the real-world political turbulence of 1960s France.
The OAS Conflict: The plot is driven by the Organisation Armée Secrète (OAS), a far-right paramilitary group that felt betrayed by President de Gaulle’s decision to grant Algeria independence. Index Of The Day Of The Jackal
The Petit-Clamart Ambush: Forsyth opens the book with an accurate retelling of the actual 1962 attempt on de Gaulle's life by Jean-Marie Bastien-Thiry. The subsequent hiring of a "lone wolf" outsider is the fictional departure from these real events. Key Characters
The narrative is structured as a "double hunt," alternating between the perspectives of the hunter and the hunted:
The "Index of the Day of the Jackal" refers to the core components—characters, historical context, and major adaptations—of Frederick Forsyth’s seminal 1971 political thriller. The narrative follows a professional assassin hired by the OAS, a French dissident group, to assassinate President Charles de Gaulle. Core Narrative & Characters Originally published in 1971 by Frederick Forsyth, The
The story is structured as a high-stakes cat-and-mouse game between two primary protagonists:
The Jackal: An anonymous, blond-haired British assassin with cold gray eyes. He is a meticulous professional who demands $500,000 for the hit, using a series of false identities and custom-made weapons to infiltrate France.
Claude Lebel: A modest but brilliant French detective task-forced with identifying and stopping the Jackal. He represents the "unassuming professional" who relies on old-school investigative work to match the assassin's cunning. The OAS & The Conspirators
Charles de Gaulle: The real-life President of France, whose 1962 decision to grant Algeria independence triggered actual assassination attempts by the OAS, providing the historical foundation for the novel. Significant Adaptations
The Jackal's story has been reimagined across decades, each version emphasizing different aspects of the chase:
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Character, Location, Weapon/Tool, Chapter, Page