{{Short description|American author (born 1975)}} {{Use American English|date=July 2023}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}} {{Infobox military person | honorific_prefix = | name = Jack Carr | honorific_suffix = | image = Doug Brunt And Jack Carr.jpg | image_upright = | alt = | caption = Carr (left) with author Doug Brunt at the SiriusXM studios in 2023 | native_name = | native_name_lang = | birth_name = | other_name = | nickname = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1975|7|3}} | birth_place = Minnesota, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | burial_place = | burial_label = | burial_coordinates = <!--{{coord|LAT|LONG|display=inline,title}}--> | allegiance = United States | branch = United States Navy | branch_label = <!--"Branch" or "Service"--> | service_years = 1996–2016 | service_years_label = | rank = Commander<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.officialjackcarr.com/jack-carr-week-at-ballistic-magazine/ | title=Jack Carr Week at Ballistic Magazine | date=October 20, 2020 }}</ref> | rank_label = | service_number = | unit = United States Navy SEALs | commands = | known_for = The Terminal List series | battles = {{Tree list}} * War on terrorism ** Iraq War ** War in Afghanistan {{Tree list/end}} | battles_label = | awards = Bronze Star Medal with V Device (2)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.talkinglead.com/2019/08/09/tlp-311-author-jack-carr-true-believer/ | title=TLP 311 - Author Jack Carr: True Believer | date=August 9, 2019 }}</ref> | memorials = | alma_mater = | spouse = <!--{{marriage|name|start date|end date}}; add spouse if reliably sourced--> | children = 3 | relations = | other_work = | signature = | signature_size = | signature_alt = | website = {{URL|https://www.officialjackcarr.com/|www.officialjackcarr.com}} | module = }}
'''George Petersen''' (born 3 July 1975), better known by his pen name '''Jack Carr'''<ref>{{Cite news |title=Author of ‘Jack Carr’ Books Wants LLC Nixed Over Co-Credit Claim |url=https://news.bloomberglaw.com/esg/author-of-jack-carr-books-wants-llc-nixed-over-co-credit-claim |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20230131043726/https://news.bloomberglaw.com/esg/author-of-jack-carr-books-wants-llc-nixed-over-co-credit-claim |archive-date=2023-01-31 |access-date=2026-04-05 |language=en}}</ref>''',''' is an American novelist, screenwriter, producer, podcaster, and former Navy SEAL sniper. He is the #1 ''New York Times''<ref name="Egan">{{Cite news |last=Egan |first=Elisabeth |date=2025-10-27 |title=Jack Carr Knows His Way Around a Battlefield, and a Military Thriller |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/27/books/review/jack-carr-terminal-list-cry-havoc.html |access-date=2026-02-03 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> bestselling author of the ''James Reece'' series. His books now include non-fiction with the release of Targeted: Beirut and a new co-written thriller series with M.P. Woodward titled The Fourth Option. The Terminal List, the first novel in the James Reece series, is now an #1 Amazon hit television series starring Chris Pratt, which has been expanded into a second season and a spin-off show starring Taylor Kitsch.
==Biography==
===Early life and personal information=== George Petersen was born into a military family and his mother was a librarian which gave him access to many books. He developed interests in authors such as David Morrell, Tom Clancy, Ian Fleming, Nelson DeMille and Louis L'Amour. When Petersen first learned about the United States Navy SEALs at the age of 7, he decided that that was the career he was going to pursue.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Spy |first=Ryan Steck, The Real Book |date=2020-04-13 |title=SAVAGE SON: A Conversation with Jack Carr - Ryan Steck's The Real Book Spy |url=https://therealbookspy.com/2020/04/13/savage-son-a-conversation-with-jack-carr/ |access-date=2026-02-03 |website=therealbookspy.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Baimbridge |first=Richard |date=September 14, 2023 |title=Navy SEAL Jack Carr's 8-Point Guide to Writing a Bestseller |url=https://www.aarp.org/home-family/voices/veterans/info-2023/jack-carr-guide-bestselling-books.html |access-date=December 3, 2023 |website=AARP}}</ref>
Petersen joined the U.S. Navy in 1996. He spent over 20 years in Naval Special Warfare Command.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carr |first=Jack |title=Jack Carr |url=https://www.officialjackcarr.com/jack-carr/ |access-date=April 19, 2023 |website=Jack Carr |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-02-23 |title=#VeteranOfTheDay Navy Veteran Jack Carr – VA News |url=https://news.va.gov/115784/veteranoftheday-navy-veteran-jack-carr/ |access-date=2023-08-20 |language=en-US}}</ref>
Petersen presently lives in Park City, Utah, with his wife and children.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=April 24, 2020 |title=Reading with... Jack Carr |url=https://www.shelf-awareness.com/issue.html?issue=3725 |access-date=January 21, 2023 |website=Shelf Awareness}}</ref> He also hosts a podcast called "Danger Close".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carr |first=Jack |title=Danger Close Podcast |url=https://www.officialjackcarr.com/danger-close-podcast/ |access-date=2023-08-20 |website=Jack Carr |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="Egan"/>
===Writing=== Petersen's first novel, ''The Terminal List'', was published in 2018 by Simon & Schuster / Atria / Emily Bestler Books.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-03-06 |title=The Terminal List: A Thriller {{!}} Murder By The Book |url=https://murderbooks.com/book/9781501180811 |access-date=2026-02-03 |website=murderbooks.com |language=en}}</ref> ''The Terminal List'' was followed by ''True Believer'', ''Savage Son'', ''The Devil's Hand'', ''In the Blood'', ''Only the Dead'', ''Red Sky Mourning'', and ''Cry Havoc''. Petersen's novels feature a former Navy SEAL sniper named James Reece who becomes embroiled in the world of conspiracies, international espionage, and revenge. The first few Terminal List books - ''The Terminal List'', ''True Believer,''<ref>{{Cite web |title=U.S. Copyright Office Public Records System |url=https://publicrecords.copyright.gov/detailed-record/voyager_31144801 |access-date=2026-04-12 |website=publicrecords.copyright.gov}}</ref> ''Savage Son,''<ref>{{Cite web |title=U.S. Copyright Office Public Records System |url=https://publicrecords.copyright.gov/detailed-record/voyager_34165377 |access-date=2026-04-12 |website=publicrecords.copyright.gov}}</ref> and ''The Devil's Hand''<ref>{{Cite web |title=U.S. Copyright Office Public Records System |url=https://publicrecords.copyright.gov/detailed-record/voyager_34165376 |access-date=2026-04-12 |website=publicrecords.copyright.gov}}</ref> - were co-written by Peterson and Keith Wood, though subsequent books were written exclusively by Petersen.
In 2025, Carr expanded the Terminal List series with a prequel novel titled ''Cry Havoc''. ''Cry Havoc'' is set in 1968 and is centered on James Reece's father, Navy SEAL Tom Reece, during the Vietnam War while attached to MACV-SOG.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Spy |first=Ryan Steck, The Real Book |date=2024-11-07 |title=CRY HAVOC: #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Jack Carr’s Next Thriller Coming June 2025 - Ryan Steck's The Real Book Spy |url=https://therealbookspy.com/2024/11/07/cry-havoc-1-new-york-times-bestselling-author-jack-carrs-next-thriller-coming-june-2025/ |access-date=2026-02-03 |website=therealbookspy.com |language=en-US}}</ref> All Petersen's novels have been ''New York Times'' bestsellers. All Petersen's audio books are read by Ray Porter and have been ''New York Times'' Audiobook bestsellers. The first in a new thriller series titled ''The Fourth Option'', co-written with M.P. Woodward, will publish in 2026.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Fourth-Option/Jack-Carr/9781668072011 |title=The Fourth Option |date=2026-05-12 |isbn=978-1-6680-7201-1 |language=en}}</ref>
====Non-fiction==== In March 2023 it was announced that Petersen had signed a deal with Simon & Schuster / Atria / Emily Bestler Books for a series of terrorism focused non-fiction books. ''Targeted: The 1983 Beirut Barracks Bombing'' is the first in a series of books exploring seminal terrorist events written by Petersen and Pulitzer Prize finalist James M. Scott.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Targeted-Beirut/Jack-Carr/9781668024362 |title=Targeted: Beirut |date=2025-10-14 |isbn=978-1-6680-2436-2 |language=en}}</ref>
=== Podcasts ===
====Danger Close: Beyond the Books with Jack Carr==== Petersen's podcast, ''Danger Close: Beyond the Book with Jack Carr'', debuted in March 2021. Petersen explores topics in long form conversation with special operations veterans, tacticians, strategists, historians, newsmakers, entrepreneurs, thought leaders, geopolitical analysts, intelligence professionals, and authors.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ellefsen |first=Ashley |title=THE DANGER CLOSE PODCAST |url=https://www.officialjackcarr.com/the-danger-close-podcast/ |access-date=2026-02-03 |website=Jack Carr |language=en-US}}</ref>
====The Terminal List Podcast==== Petersen's ''The Terminal List Podcast'' debuted in July 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Coming Soon: The Terminal List Podcast with Jack Carr |url=https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/coming-soon-the-terminal-list-podcast-with-jack-carr/id1557814875?i=1000568069950 |access-date=2026-02-03 |website=Apple Podcasts |language=en-GB}}</ref> Petersen, showrunner David DiGilio, and actor/producer/technical advisor and former Navy SEAL Jared Shaw break down each individual episode of the Amazon Prime Video series and share behind the scenes stories and insights from development through production. Chris Pratt anchors the final episode. ''The Terminal List Podcast'' debuted at number three in the TV & Film category on the Apple Podcasts charts.
==Television==
=== Screenwriting === Petersen served as executive producer for the Amazon Studios adaptation of ''The Terminal List'' starring Chris Pratt. The series premiered on July 1, 2022 and was Amazon's #1 streaming series with 1.6 billion minutes of viewing its first week. Petersen made a cameo appearance as an assassin in episode three. <ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-06-20 |title=Chris Pratt and Jack Carr on Navy SEALs book-turned-TV-series ‘The Terminal List’ |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/washington-post-live/2022/06/27/chris-pratt-jack-carr-navy-seals-book-turned-tv-series-terminal-list/ |access-date=2026-02-03 |work=The Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}</ref>
In January 2023, it was announced that Petersen and ''The Terminal List'' showrunner David DiGilio would co-create a spin-off origin story series based on character Ben Edwards, portrayed by Taylor Kitsch, from ''The Terminal List'' for Amazon Studios with Petersen as executive producer and writer. ''The Terminal List Dark Wolf'' premiered on August 27, 2025 and was a #1 Prime Video series.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Al-Ghamdi |first=Abdullah |date=2025-09-02 |title=Prime’s Newest Reacher Replacement Pummels Jensen Ackles’ Action Series On Global Streaming |url=https://screenrant.com/terminal-list-dark-wolf-streaming-success-countdown-comparison-september-2025/ |access-date=2026-02-03 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}}</ref> Petersen made cameo appearances in episodes four and seven.
In January 2023, it was announced that Chris Pratt would reprise his role as James Reece in a second season of ''The Terminal List'' titled ''The Terminal List Season Two: True Believer'' with Petersen as executive producer and writer. Filming wrapped in October 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sims |first=Brittany |date=2026-01-30 |title='The Terminal List' Season 2 Targets 2026 Release |url=https://www.tvinsider.com/1180932/the-terminal-list-season-2-cast-premiere-date-trailer/ |access-date=2026-02-03 |website=TV Insider |language=en-US}}</ref>
=== Adaptations === ''The Terminal List'' was adapted for an eight-part series for Amazon Prime Video starring Chris Pratt in 2022.
''The Terminal List Season 2'' starring Chris Pratt, based on Petersen's ''True Believer,'' is in post-production as of early 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Tamera |last2=Weintraub |first2=Steven |date=2026-01-23 |title=Chris Pratt Teases Season 2 of His Hit Prime Video Action Thriller Arriving Sooner Than Expected |url=https://collider.com/the-terminal-list-season-2-release-window-prime-video-chris-pratt-mecy-interview/ |access-date=2026-02-03 |website=Collider |language=en}}</ref>
==Military career== Petersen led special operations teams as a Team Leader, Platoon Commander, Troop Commander, and Task Unit Commander. He served as an enlisted SEAL sniper before being selected for Navy Officer Candidate School. He then led assault and sniper teams in Iraq and Afghanistan as a junior officer, practiced counterinsurgency in the southern Philippines as a platoon commander, and commanded a Special Operations Task Unit in the most Iranian influenced section of southern Iraq throughout the drawdown of U.S. Forces. He retired in June 2016 after 20 years of service.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-06-28 |title=The Terminal List, SOF Interview with former Navy SEAL Sniper and author, Jack Carr |url=https://sofmag.com/the-terminal-list-sof-interview-with-former-navy-seal-sniper-and-author-jack-carr/ |access-date=2026-02-03 |website=Soldier of Fortune Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Awards and honors== {| class="wikitable" |+ Awards for Carr's writing ! Year ! Title ! Award ! Result ! Ref. |- | 2018 | ''The Terminal List'' | Goodreads Choice Award for Debut Author | Nominee | <ref>{{Cite web |title=The Terminal List (Terminal List, #1) |url=https://www.goodreads.com/work/56663976-the-terminal-list |access-date=January 21, 2023 |website=Goodreads |language=en}}</ref> |- | 2019 | ''The Terminal List'' | Thriller Award for Best First Novel | Finalist | <ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Jack Carr |url=http://stopyourekillingme.com/C_Authors/Carr_Jack.html |access-date=January 21, 2023 |website=Stop, You're Killing Me!}}</ref> |- | 2019 | ''The Terminal List'' | Barry Award for Best Thriller | Finalist | <ref name=":0" /> |- | 2019 | ''The Terminal List'' | Audie Award for Thriller/Suspense | Finalist | <ref>{{Cite web |title=2019 Audie Awards |url=https://www.audiopub.org/2019-audies |access-date=January 21, 2023 |website=Audio Publishers Association |language=en-US |archive-date=February 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226044219/https://www.audiopub.org/2019-audies |url-status=dead }}</ref> |- | 2020 | ''True Believer'' | Barry Award for Best Thriller | Finalist | <ref name=":0" /> |- | 2022 | ''The Devil's Hand'' | Barry Award for Best Thriller | Finalist | <ref name=":0" /> |}
==Bibliography==
===The Terminal List series===
====James Reece series==== {| class="wikitable" |+ ! !Title !Publication Date !ISBN |- |1 |''The Terminal List'' |March 6, 2018 |1501180819 |- |2 |''True Believer'' |July 30, 2019 |1501180843 |- |3 |''Savage Son'' |April 14, 2020 |1982123702 |- |4 |''The Devil's Hand'' |April 13, 2021 |1982123745 |- |5 |''In the Blood'' |May 17, 2022 |1982181656 |- |6 |''Only the Dead'' |May 16, 2023 |1982181699 |- |7 |''Red Sky Mourning'' |June 18, 2024 |1668047071 |}
====Tom Reece series==== # ''Cry Havoc'' (2025)
===Targeted series (non-fiction)=== # ''Targeted: Beirut'' (2024)<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Targeted-Beirut/Jack-Carr/Carr-Nonfiction-Series/9781668024355 |title=Targeted: Beirut |date=2024-09-24 |isbn=978-1-6680-2435-5 |language=en}}</ref>
===Standalone=== # ''The Fourth Option'' (with M. P. Woodward) (2026)
==See also== {{Columns-list| * List of United States Navy SEALs }}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * [https://www.officialjackcarr.com/ Official website]
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Carr, Jack}} Category:Writers from Utah Category:American mystery writers Category:United States Navy SEALs personnel Category:YouTubers from Utah Category:1975 births Category:Living people