Did you read this book like I did? If so, did you know that the Casca images by artist Darrel Millsap on the cover of every title were based on this photo of author Barry Sadler?
And, did you know that Special Forces Veteran Barry Sadler also wrote and performed the song “The Ballad of the Green Berets” which hit Number 1 on the charts in the Spring of 1966?
Sadler passed away in 1989 of complications following a gun shot wound. Although, the Casca-series of books are still being produced.
Tags: Barry Sadler, Casca, Darrel Millsap
I think nothing screams “manly” more than a green beret, CIB, green service uniform and a guitar.
Actually never read any of those. Was way more into ‘The Executioner’ and the others in the family. That was a good time for pulpy fiction. 🙂
Like the JFK Center unit crest on the M43.
Sorry, wrong hat, looks good though.
no no its a m 43
http://www.eonline.com/eol_images/Entire_Site/201353/rs_300x300-130603170305-FashionPolice_300_Landing.jpg
Thought the ear flps made it a fieldmutz or some such…
M42 caphad faux-ear flaps, the M43 Feldmutze had the flaps. Both were based on the Austrian Bergmutze.
Lol, I remember those. I was just thinking about those a little while ago. I actually read that one in the field on an exercise.
I always thought the idea behind Casca was begging to be made into an HBO series.
Casca was the Centurion who pierced Jesus’ side with the spear, and was doomed to be a soldier until his second coming.
If you can find them, they were a great read.
you’re wrong. casca was one of caesar’s assassins.
I don’t remember that specifically. For what it’s worth:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casca_(series)
Those where some great books we came by during deployment back in the early 90’s. The story was something like he was the Roman soldier who stabbed Christ on the cross and was told he would live forever until they met again. The eternal merc….
The first 4 books were amazing. After that there was a hit or miss period. The first one I read was “Panzer Soldier” at Fort Hood in 1980. Got it from my platoon leader, then a butter bar, now a 3 star.
I still have pretty much every one of those books right here on a bookshelf in my office as my wife threw them off of “the good book, bookshelf.” Silly girl, has no idea what premium quality literature actually is.
OMG, I read those in the early and mid 1970s. I read every kind of trash fiction imaginable during those years, most spent in Germany.
Wow…never heard of it but after some Google research it sounds awesome!
£55 second hand on Amazon??? I need to start searching my local charity shops to see if I can find a copy.
Brand new Casca books cost $12.95 from the Casca website, the link is given on the article above. Second hand books from the same source cost between $10 and $12.95. There’s only a few in stock though! Cheaper than amazon.
Thanks Tony!
I’ve just visited the website and ordered my copy, I can’t wait to start reading it!
“When they flew Casey into the hospital at Nha Trang, the medics were sure he’d die. That he didn’t was only the first surprise.
The second, bigger one, was that Casey had been fighting for two thousand years, ever since that day on Golgotha when he put his lance into the side of the Man on the Cross.
“Soldier, you are content with what you are. Then that you shall remain until we meet again.”
So does Casca’s journey begin, a man who cannot die, does not age, and knows no skill but those of battle. He becomes The Eternal Mercenary”
WOW!!!
Fascinating concept – I read my first one a few months after seeing Highlander back in 1986, and didn’t realise at first Casca was written before Highlander. Bet the guy who wrote Highlander got the idea from reading Casca in High School or whatever.
Love that image. I miss how Movies and book artwork was painted. Ah the good ol’ days huh?
I read the first book after my Dad passed it on to me while I was in high school in the late 80s. I’ve read all the ones Barry Sadler wrote.
I read all the Casca books as a kid in the 90’s these are some of the best books I have read to date. Can not recomend them enough