Customer Reviews

Casca: Panzer Soldier (Action/Adventure Series)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Panzer soldier was the first Casca book I read. It was on a long road trip back in about 1983. I picked up the book at a small book store for about 2 dollars and spent the next 8 hours sitting in the back of a Chevy van totally immersed in this book.

As the title implies, Casca finds himself a soldier in the German Tank Corp. during WW2. He didn't pick the German Army for personal reasons, it is just that they were hiring when he was looking for work. Most of the story deals with battles with the Russians on the eastern front, but some of it takes place in Berlin during the last days of the 3rd Reich. Without ruining it for you I will just say it is very very good.

One of the series of books I read when in my late teens / early twenties was the Sven Hassell set written from the perspective of a German penal regiment on the Eastern Front. Although I no longer possess these, memories of those novels were brought back when I read through this story. It also reminded me, very closely, of the Sam Peckinpah film "Cross of Iron" starring Maximilian Schell, James Mason and James Coburn. In fact, so closely did this mirror that film that I'm tempted to suggest a little plagarism by Sadler, but even so, it made a good book.

The story picks up in 1943 on the eve of the fateful battle of Kursk when Casca returns to the front after a period of leave. The battle of course ends in defeat and a fair amount of the first 2/3rds of the book deals with the retreat and the struggle Casca's little band of men have in surviving and making it back to their own lines. Its very well written and compelling reading.

What catches the reader though is the sudden sea change in the last third. Suddenly we're out of the fighting and propelled into Germany where Casca turns on the SS and hard-core Nazis when he finally recognises the horrors that are being forced on the Jews and other groups of non-Aryans. Its as though Sadler, having put Casca on what may be regarded as the morally 'wrong' side, purges the guilt by having him turn on the Nazis.

Of course, its all a big conspiracy by the Brotherhood of the Lamb and the last part of the story, set in Berlin as the Russians close in, is a harrowing sequences of Hitler losing his grip on reality and Casca's existence amongst the rubble of the German capital. Excellent scene setting and the final pages unforgettable. One of the best Sadler written Cascas but because of the plagarism I'm docking it one star in my review.

Of the entire series, this is probably one of the top three or four written by Sadler. It rather amazes me that the author was able to get so much in so few pages. Sadler is able to capture the character of Casca very well in this one and developes other character or character types that will appear in later novels. The story is fast moving, yet detailed. The nice thing about the Casca books, is that after the first one is read, you really do not have to read them in order, each book is a good story within itself. Again, as with most of his novels, Sadler has done a wonderful bit of reasearch. This is certainly true of this one. The few errors he did make were of little moment. Very much recommend this one.

Of the entire series, this is probably one of the top three or four written by Sadler. It rather amazes me that the author was able to get so much in so few pages. Sadler is able to capture the character of Casca very well in this one, and develops other characters or character types that will appear in later novels. The story is fast moving, yet detailed. Action is almost non-stop from cover to cover, yet all quite realistic. The nice thing about the Casca books, is that after the first one is read, you really do not have to read them in order, each book is a good story within itself.

This story covers the period of time when he Eternal Mercenary is fighting for the German Army during WWII and as the title would indicate, as a member of a Panzer Division. The action, for the most part, takes place on the Eastern Front. A vivid description, as seen through the eyes of Casca of the Battle of Kursk in the central feature on which Sadler hangs this tale. We follow the warrior and his tank crew through the entire battle and their escape. Of course other engagements are featured along with the story of the personal lives of each of his men.

While my favorite of this series include the adventures of Casca in earlier times, i.e. his periods fighting with the Roman Legions, Persian adventures, sailing with the Vikings, etc., this more modern story fits well with the over all theme of Sadler's work.

Again, as with most of his novels, Sadler has done a wonderful bit of research. This is certainly true of this one. The few errors he did make were of little moment. Very much recommend this one.

Note: It is unfortunate that these books are out of print and unfortunate, but not surprising, that copies are selling for top dollar at this time. I am lucky in that I have a complete set of the entire series and am not about to part with them. Alas though, they have been read and reread over the years and are now falling apart. It would be of great service if these books could be purchased for the Kindle. A new author is now writing for the franchise, and after a couple of complete duds by other authors, this new one seems to have his stuff together...hopefully Amazon and the publishers can come to some sort of arrangement.

Don Blankenship
The Ozarks

Feel the biting cold of a Russian winter as Casca and his buddies try to make it back through enemy lines to safety! Not a book for the faint hearted or squeamish. Those who have ever read the Sven Hassel novels will enjoy this one, and I'd recommend watching the film "Cross of Iron" to get some idea of what Casca went through in this one. One of the best in the series, and see how Hitler REALLY died!

This book is one of my top 5 of all the Casca series. No Casca fan should be caught without this book. If you don't already have it, get it. It's Barry Sadler in top form and a must read for any person trying to get the full picture of the character of Casca.

Barry Sadler's work is one of the best short run downs of the war in the Eastern Fron in WWII that I have ever read. His attention to small details and insights into how soldiers think and act is incredible. Former Staff Sargeant Barry Sadler should know, he was a Green Beret. His tragic death a few years ago of a gunshot wound robbed us all of a great talent. He will be missed.

This was the first of the Casca series that I read and it is absolutely outstanding to me at least.
Reading this Casca book got me hooked on the series and up until a few years ago, I had all of the series up till that time at least.
For those who might not know, the author and singer of "The Ballad of the Green Berets", SSgt Barry Sadler was the author of the original books!
This one and the entire series is well done! Highly recommended!

This should be all made into movies. Highlander stole the idea but it doesn't come near to this work of extrodinarry talent that Mr. Sadler had. This is a must read.

This is my all-time favorite Casca book. My favorite parts are where one of Casca's men kills an SS squad herding Jews on a train, and where Casca kills the three SS men with the female Jewish prisoner. The rest I won't give away. The action surpasses any found in those 500+ page epic historical novels. It is simply the best.