I Am the Famous Carlos: The Story of Carlos the Jackal, the World's First Celebrity Terrorist cover art

I Am the Famous Carlos: The Story of Carlos the Jackal, the World's First Celebrity Terrorist

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About this listen

He was the most wanted man in the world for decades. Carlos the Jackal, the Venezuelan-born terrorist, carried out a wave of attacks across Europe in the 1970s and 1980s. A ruthless self-proclaimed revolutionary and notorious womanizer, he claimed to fight for the Palestinian cause and communist ideology, but also worked as a mercenary for rogue regimes and organizations. After bursting onto the world stage with the 1975 OPEC siege in Vienna, where he took 60 hostages and killed three people, he managed to evade capture for two decades. Finally arrested in a daring raid in Sudan in 1994, he was brought to justice in France, where he is serving three life sentences for his reign of terror. This is the riveting story of how a pudgy Caracas schoolboy became the world’s first celebrity terrorist.

©2023 Christina Hoag (P)2023 Christina Hoag Historical Mystery Middle East Espionage War Exciting Crime Iran Murder
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A fantastic, detailed, yet concise history and timeline of the infamous Carlos The Jackal.

Having been a fan of this era of international crime and political unrest for many years it is refreshing to see an author who compiles the right amount of information to keep the reader interested, yet moves the timeline along with enough momentum so you don’t get tired of one or more periods.

Every new chapter brings with it more details and interesting nuggets to keep the reader amazed and engrossed about Carlos’ life. Many facts were new to me and this in itself kept me engrossed.

Hoag’s writing style is engaging and easy to follow, with vivid descriptions and a knack for bringing even the smallest details to life. The book balances light-hearted humor with more profound moments from Carlos’ life which helps with the understanding of the man himself.

Had to slow the narrator down in the app though to 0.9x speed as he was just too fast for my hearing.

All in all a brilliant read/listen.

A Perfect Deep Dive Into The World Of Carlos!

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"I Am the Famous Carlos" is an interesting listen, full of facts and, at times, truly horrific scenes that highlight the reality behind the headlines. Christina Hoag presents the story of Carlos the Jackal in a way that’s both informative and unsettling, giving insight into the life of someone who became infamous as the world’s first “celebrity terrorist.” Andre G. Chapoy’s narration is excellent—clear, engaging, and well-paced. A recommended listen for anyone interested in history, true crime, or political extremism.

Interesting Listen.

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Listener received this title free

Having only heard about Carlos briefly, the book manages to engage from the off. The narrator does a great job and I really enjoyed the writing.

I am the famous Carlos

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Listener received this title free

This historical fiction explores the life of the notorious terrorist Carlos the Jackal. The opening chapters, which depict the early life of Ilich Ramírez Sánchez, are compelling and well-written, offering a fascinating glimpse into his formative years. However, as the story progresses, it begins to lose momentum. The later chapters become increasingly dry, reading more like a chronological list of terrorist activities than a cohesive narrative.

I had hoped for deeper insight into Carlos’s political philosophy or a more gripping account of the international manhunt to capture him. Unfortunately, the latter half of the book feels rushed and lacks the depth needed to truly engage the listener. What starts off as a promising narrative ends up skimming the surface of a complex and controversial figure.

Started off brilliantly but ended up rushed/superficial

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