The Jackal: The Rise and Fall of Carlos, the World's First Super-Terrorist

by Joby Warrick

The spectacular rise and dramatic fall of super-assassin Carlos the Jackal—one of history’s most infamous terrorist masterminds—told with new revelations from the Jackal himself, by the Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Black Flags.

A black-bereted, gun-slinging avatar of one of the most turbulent eras in global politics, Carlos the Jackal burst onto the world stage in 1975 as the first true celebrity terrorist and the TV-ready face of a violent Palestinian resistance movement that was then just beginning to gain traction. In a bloody career that would ultimately span three decades, Carlos innovated a new kind of spectacular terrorism, one that embraced hijackings, hostage crises, airport bombings, and international assassinations. And he personally masterminded one of the most shocking operations of the era: the kidnapping of an entire conference of world oil ministers for ransom in Vienna. The polar opposite of today’s most infamous terrorists, Carlos was a hard-drinking libertine and self-styled romantic who entranced dozens of beautiful women and murdered his victims with callous disregard, often with his own hand.

But Carlos was not all that he seemed to be.

Through newly declassified archives, secret witness accounts, and a rare interview with the Jackal himself, acclaimed journalist Joby Warrick reveals a previously hidden side of the man born Ilich Ramírez Sánchez—an ideologically driven figure whose myth was as carefully constructed as his attacks were deadly.

As he did in his Pulitzer Prize–winning Black Flags, Warrick delivers a powerful and highly cinematic tale that explains and illuminates the root causes, and founding personalities, behind one of the great conflicts of our time.

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, Terrorism, Crime

384 pages, Hardcover

First published August 18, 2026

About the author

Joby Warrick (born August 4, 1960) is an American journalist who has won multiple Pulitzer Prizes. He began working for The Washington Post in 1996, writing about the Middle East, diplomacy and national security. He has also covered the intelligence community, Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) proliferation and the environment, and served as a member of the Post’s investigative unit.

Reviews

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Jackal is a very well-done book that traces the life of international terrorist that stalked Europe and the Middle East from the 70s through the 90s. Illich Ramierez Sanchez, better known as Carlos the Jackal is a well-known assassin with ties to dictatorial governments in the Middle East and Eastern Europe as well as former Nazis.

It is clear to see when one reads this book that the assassin was a typical self-absorbed hypocrite of his times. He claimed to be a diehard Marxist in support of the leftist Palestinian PFLP. Instead, he was, as the book portrays him, a self absorbed, hedonistic playboy wastrel with the mentality of a serial killer. From the way he used others and women in particular he was similar to Charles Manson and Andreas Baader. The main difference is he had a much longer career quite possibly due to his desire for self-preservation and fame and his ability to network with other terrorists.

Today, the Jackal is 72 years old and sits in a French prison. He conveniently 'forgets' some of the killings he is most famous for. He will likely remain in prison until he dies. It is a good place for him.

If you want to read a good book about the early history of the Middle Eastern quagmire and how it played into the Cold War battles between East and West, this is a good book to read. I found it particularly interesting in how France and Germany were involved. The rivalries between the Arab nations were also interesting. I highly recommend this book.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Jackal by Joby Warrick is a wild ride. Delving into the story of infamous terrorist, Carlos the Jackal, Warrick reveals details of the man and his life. Well researched, the narrative is hard to put down. He neither excuses nor vilifies the Jackal, leaving the reader to make their own judgement. It’s a fascinating dive into what ultimately drives a non-religious zealot terrorist. Thanks to #netgalley and #scribner for the opportunity to preview this book.

[David Jonescu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating look into an infamous terrorist. Joby Warrick provides a deep and insightful look at Carlos the Jackal and his rise and actions. Overall such an interesting story of a character in history without demonizing or praising him. Provides background, reasons for attacks and outcomes so the reader can focus on Carlos as the main focus. Overall great read!

I received a free advanced copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Richard Jaffe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Scribner for this advance ARC in return for an honest review.

The Jackal is about Ilich Ramírez Sánchez, who was later known as Carlos the Jackal, the international terrorist. Author, Joby Warrick, who was granted an interview with "Carlos" last year, describes the young disillusioned Venezuelan who looks to find himself by volunteering with Palestinian Terrorists in the early 70's due to their shared hatred of Israel.

Although he was trained by the P.F.L.P. they never really trusted him with their biggest terrorist attacks involving multiple hi jackings. Despite his disillusionment he remained and was tasked with murdering a Jewish British business man who owned Marks and Spencer and famously was very generous with Israeli charities. Despite his brazen assassination attempt all that he accomplished was breaking some of the target's teeth.

He was then leading a team that was to take down a flight leaving Orly Airport in Paris, only to misjudge the distance with two RPGs. A second attempt failed miserably as well. Undeterred he then took it upon himself to drop a hand grenade into a crowded Parisian market killing several innocent civilians and injuring dozens.

As a result of one of his comrades turning informant he was tracked down and Ilich ultimately murdered 3 people in cold blood while trying to escape from a party to celebrate his then girlfriend. In the apartment where these brutal murders took place was a copy of the Frederick Forsyth novel, Day of the Jackal, and from that day forward, Sanchez became known as Carlos the Jackal.

Despite his incompetence as a terrorist, Ilich revels in his new identity and in many ways his reputation far outweighs his actual deeds. The new moniker also makes "Carlos" conceited and live his life with new found fame and swagger.

As he had a fall out with the Palestinians he begins to seek other benefactors and as a result his most "famous" plot involved infiltrating the OPEC meeting in Vienna close to the end of 1975 and kidnapping the entire gathering. Bankrolled by Gaddafi his mission was to assassinate the Saudi and Iranian Oil ministers and then demand transportation, free passage and broadcast their manifesto as they tour the Middle East. What was supposed to be a clean entry, turned bloody and then all hell broke lose. Eventually they do get taken to the airport through the snowy streets of Vienna but rather than being welcomed like heroes, Carlos and Co. are denied access to Libya, rumor being that Gaddafi never expected Carlos to succeed. Although there were several deaths in Vienna, the targets were never harmed and the hostages eventually freed. Allegedly "Carlos" as paid $50 million to let all the hostages go.

This attack on OPEC made Carlos the most sought after international terrorist and he seems to spend the rest of his "active" days looking for the next big pay day, while living like a playboy.

Both the French intelligence services and eventually the CIA are allegedly looking for Carlos, but due to benefactors in Eastern Europe initially, like Hungary, and various Middle Eastern despots he remained at large, and for a time lived like a rock star. Despite his former Nazi benefactor in Switzerland, the jobs disappear and the money dries up such that he flees to Khartoum where he is eventually apprehended.

Warrick's biography is fascinating if not illuminating. Frankly "Carlos" never seemed to live up to his reputation as the most feared international terrorist and for most of his life as a free man lived off the reputation rather than his actual deeds. Still a very good read for those who remember the crazy times we lived through in the 70's and 80's when "Carlos" was most active.

#NetGalley #TheJackal

[Joseph Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Modern terrorism reached its apex in the 1970s as plane hijackings, bombings, high-profile assassinations, and hostage situtations dominated the headlines from the United States to Ireland to the Middle East.

Though many probably remember the more heinous actions, such as the 1972 Munich Olympics Massacre, the individuals that carried out these acts are shrouded. That is the case except for one name, Carlos "the Jackal", the most famous terrorist of the era.

Born Illich (named for Vladimir Illich Lenin by his Marxist father) Ramirez Sanchez, the Venezuelan earned a reputation in the 70s for being a ruthless killer. He first joined up with the Palestinian cause, but later (after being exiled from the group) starting his own "terrorist-for-hire" organization. His legacy includes bombing a French department store and holding the OPEC conference hostage in Vienna, among others. His lifestyle was lavish, living in luxury across Europe & the Middle East. Personally gracious to many, with his romantic life quite busy. Captured in the 1990s, Carlos still lives in French prison.

Joby Warrick met with the imprisoned Carlos in 2025, and from those conversations (and tons of research) comes this book, a biography of the terrorist. The book is very well-written, with many scenes that feel straight from a novel in their suspense. The information, garnered through the aforementioned interview with Carlos and those who knew him, as well as new archival data uncovered, paints the picture of how Carlos rose to fame (despite most of his schemes failing) and how it call came crashing down. The book also arcs the era of left-wing terror from its inception in 1970 to the gradual end by the 1980s.

Warrick shares no sympathy with Carlos. His distaste for the killer is shown throughout the book. Yet, the book is still balanced. So while Carlos' actions are heinous to everyone, Warrick still comes at it through the lens of seeking to understand how and why someone is driven to commit acts of violence in the name of a cause. In this, I feel Warrick succeeds. You come away from the book not agreeing what Carlos and his world does, but how it would come about. And that's why I feel this book is important as the world continues to deal with the threat of terrorism, and those inspired by causes to commit violence, today.

[Brendan (History Nerds United) · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.)

[Books Data · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Jackal: The Rise and Fall of Carlos, the World’s First Super-Terrorist by Joby Warrick tells the gripping true story of Ilich Ramírez Sánchez, better known as Carlos the Jackal, one of the most notorious terrorists of the twentieth century. Born in Venezuela, Carlos became involved with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and soon built a reputation for violence, ambition, and an extraordinary talent for creating his own legend. During the 1970s and 1980s, he was connected to hijackings, bombings, assassinations, hostage-taking, and other international attacks, most famously the 1975 seizure of the OPEC headquarters in Vienna. Warrick shows that Carlos was not simply a committed revolutionary. He was also deeply driven by money, fame, luxury, and an enormous sense of self-importance. He turned terrorism into a kind of international profession, working for governments and political groups that were willing to pay him. Drawing on declassified records, eyewitness accounts, secret files, and a rare interview with Carlos himself, Warrick explores both the man and the myth surrounding him. As international support disappeared and his network collapsed, Carlos gradually lost his power and influence. His eventual capture in Sudan in 1994 brought an end to decades of evasion. The book ultimately presents Carlos as a dangerous but deeply flawed man whose carefully constructed image proved far greater than his lasting achievements.

[Harmandeep Sandhar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before round-the-clock news cycles and social media, Ilich Ramírez Sánchez, better known as “Carlos the Jackal,” was already a celebrity terrorist. Joby Warrick brilliantly peels back the layers of myth and melodrama that have calcified around him to expose the petulant narcissist at the core.

Warrick’s experience as an investigative reporter really shines in this book:

The chapter on the 1975 OPEC siege in Vienna reads like a classic spy novel, full of intrigue and larger-than-life characters

the book provides crucial context for understanding not just Carlos but also international affairs during the Cold War, as exemplified by the decades’ long game of cat and mouse between Carlos and the various intelligence agencies trying to take him down

and

finally, it exposes the carefully constructed myth of the charismatic international terrorist for what it is – the story of a washed-up mercenary trying to live out his last years in Sudan, drinking heavily and waiting for his final opportunity to strike.

As with Warrick’s previous book Black Flags , the prose is sharp and rarely falters, though one might occasionally get lost in the cast of characters as the narrative veers toward telenovela melodrama. This is a truly engrossing page-turner of a book, full of exciting action scenes and sober geopolitical analysis. A must-read for anyone interested in international affairs or true crime. Easy 4 stars.

[Jack Reidy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carlos the Jackal is famous. In this work of non-fiction you do learn a lot about him, various terrorist movements, intelligence services and politics (especially Middle East politics). You may be surprised to learn that he was not really named Carlos and how the Jackal part came about.

The book is "THE JACKAL: The Rise and Fall of Carlos, the World’s First Super-Terrorist" by Joby Warrick. It is an authoritative and well-written account by the national security correspondent for The Washington Post.

I thank Netgalley (https://www.netgalley.com ) for the chance to read this before publication.

This is a rather short review but for those who prefer something longer, a wonderful and more detailed review (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/10/bo...) appeared in the New York Times about a week ago.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book reads like a thriller even though it is about real life. Author does a great job outlining the personalities behind the terrorist known as the Jackal and how his motivations changed over time. It also put into perspective how hijackings and other terrorist incidents occurred on a regular basis. Learned a lot about that time period and how we are still wrestling with its impact decades later.

[Mer]

https://hardcover.app/books/the-jacka...

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

My only minor critique is that some of the detailed background on Cold War politics can feel a bit dense, but it is necessary to understand how he operated for so long.