Customer Reviews

Casca #12: African Mercenary

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This is probably not one of Sadler's best but is a fun read never-the-less. The reviewer that compaired this work to the film "The Wild Geese," pretty well hit the mark. Casca, Gus and his crew drop into an African Nation, kill it's leader, per their contract with the S. Afrian Government and the the chase begins. There is action on every page, the story moves fast and it is simply a fun read, in particular if you are a Casca fan. I too, enjoy the stories of Casca from a earlier time, but this one is the best of the "present time" novels. If you can find it, get it and read it. Like I said, it's a fun read.

If any of you have seen the film "The Wild Geese" then you've got much of this story. The similarities to this book are many fold and its obvious that Sadler borrowed a little too much of that to make this story original.

But that criticism aside it makes good readingas a bunch of mercs led by Casca and Gus go into an African dictator's country in the late 1970s with the intention of toppling his regime. They are of course betrayed and flee for safety, hotly pursued by vengeful Simbas.

To see the world of Casca visit www.casca.net

This volume of the Casca series written by the legendary Barry Sadler takes place (mostly) in Africa, where a mercenary named Casey Romain is engaged to overthrow the brutal dictator of a small country. Casey Romain is actually Casca, the Roman legionaire who pierced Christ's side with his spear while He was on the cross. Casca is doomed to live until Christ's return fighting war after war until that happens.

In this book Sadler has created an interesting cast of characters who fight alongside Casca and his ability to write great action scenes is certainly evident in the African Mercenary. It is rather annoying that the author avoids discussing Rhodesia at the beginning, although it is almost certain that some of the action takes place there. This is the first of these I've read in 20 years but like Casca himself, it seems timeless.

Typical Barry Sadler stuff. Here is where he shined when writing Casca in modern times.

Although I loved Casca in more medieval ages, using sword and knives and riding a wild steed, I still liked a few of these more modern adventures. This would have made a blockbuster movie, in the grand tradition of such awesome movies as The Green Berets, starring John Wayne.

If only a great director such as Clint Eastwood would make a film such as this...