Hunting the Jackal

A Special Forces and CIA Soldier's Fifty Years on the Frontlines of the War Against Terrorism

By: Billy Waugh, Tim Keown

Narrated by: Joe Barrett

Length: 8 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

For more than half a century, Special Forces and CIA legend Billy Waugh dedicated his life to tracking down and eliminating America's most virulent enemies. Operating from the darkest shadows and most desolate corners of the world, he made his mark in many of the most important operations in the annals of US Spec Ops. He spent seven and a half years behind enemy lines in Vietnam as a member of a covert group of elite commandos. He trailed Osama Bin Laden in Khartoum in the early '90s and would have killed the terrorist kingpin if his superiors had allowed it. And at the age of 72, he marched through the frozen high plains of Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. Hunting the Jackal is the astonishing true account of the singular career of a courageous soldier in his nation's shadow wars - including his pivotal role in the previously untold story of the capture of the most infamous and elusive assassin in history, Carlos the Jackal.

©2004 Billy Waugh (P)2017 Tantor

Lead, Follow--Or Get The Hell Out Of The Way!

"Hunting the Jackal" is an unapologetic, in-your-face, raw memoir that is history at its finest. Sometimes brutal, always intriguing, it tracks fifty years in the life of Billy Waugh, a man who can't stand not living on the edge.
Ironically, the weakest part (and it's only a taaaaad weak), is the account of the surveillance of Carlos the Jackal as it chronicles the tedium that is part and parcel of observing the object to be apprehended. Historically, the French nabbed the Jackal, but here you'll find the down and dirty work was done consistently by Waugh and a couple others.
The strongest part, and the part that Waugh was proudest of and which shaped him mightily, is the story of his seven and a half years in Vietnam. That section of the book sears and sizzles, leaves you scarred and brutalized. But it left Waugh invigorated and enthusiastic. And thus follows a life of covert operations, training foreign commandos, spying/espionage, and even a hated bit of time in the US Postal Service, where he was dying to get back to the adrenaline-fueled rush of combat and service.
Barrett does a great job (he does military like nobody's business; see: "Roberts Ridge" and "Defiance"), making this the look-back of an older soldier surveying his decades of duty.
There is violence, there is some profanity, there's a lot to make you wince, a lot to make you proud.
Truly, a great listen!

Billy Waugh is a true American Legend.

Billy Waugh is an American hero cut from the same cloth as the Patriots who fought and founded this great nation. His story is legendary and should be taught to every school boy and Girl in the USA.

Spectacular

For one who has always admired soldiers the way most children idolize sports icons, this book scratched my itch to learn more about these fine men who keep America safe. Billy, 72, begging to fight in Afghanistan says it all. Great stories, great narrating and a book I wish was twice as long. God bless America!

Awesome retelling of special forces front line

While I thoroughly enjoyed to book overall there was a chapter or two with reduced audio. I also found the writing a bit clunky at times, but then no one said Snake Eater stories were Shakespeare. C2004 memoir so some later historical facts contradict a few later items. Recommended however.

compelling

Hunting the Jackal is the compelling firsthand account if a special operations soldier from Korea to Afghanistan. The stories he tells give an intimate glimpse inside many larger stories the reader may or may not have heard about or even imagined. It is because of men that America can stand tall in the world and our enemies will be right if they fear to do us harm.

A true American patriot & hero

An Incredibly interesting detailed almost unbelievable account of a brave American hero, a must read

Go inside the life of an incredible SF man

Good detailed narrative of an incredible Special Forces man ranging from jungles of Vietnam to the first months of war on terror in Afghanistan. Engaging the whole way in a tone that continues to excite and intrigue.

No Regrets

Most of what I was going to say about the book has already been written by those fortunate enough to have read it before me. I will say this after reading this .... My only wish for Billy Waugh is that he has no regrets when he passes. This is the story of an amazing life lived to the fullest by someone who had the courage to follow his dream and make it happen when others stood to dissuade him from fulfilling it. My god what a life lived. I was first introduced to Billy though Annie Jacobson in her fantastic book Surprise Kill Vanish. I wasn't sure an entire book on Billy would be of interest and boy was I wrong ... a fantastic read thank you sir for your service. God Bless

Thank you for your service

This Audio book is a great look at what makes SF guys Americas hero’s. Interested in every minute.

Very interesting because I was in Vietnam 1968 for tet

I was in the 44th medical brigade 498th med co. A flight medic out of AnSon flew the whole I core