A biography of the Venezuelan terrorist known as “the Jackal”—the world’s most wanted man for two decades. Carlos is raised a communist and becomes a hired gun for just about any group that truly understands the “mendacity” of the West. He becomes a fantastically successful terrorist, the perpetrator of gaudily daring international crimes that inspire other terrorists and make for great Hollywood storylines (not to mention a good book by Frederick Forsyth).
This book works well as a chronicle of an audacious murderer’s exploits, but it also shines a light on the chaotic glory days of terrorism. The late ’60s and ’70s saw the rise of countless Palestinian groups and Marxist groups and violent separatist organizations. Carlos worked for many of them. They of course failed in the end, but it’s important to look back at them from time to time as reminders of just how treacherous the world of political violence can get. Reviewed on Aug. 12, 2021