The Eternal Mercenary

[OLDNAVYMCPO]

DR505 posted a thread today in which his three year old son sang "The Ballard of the Green Beret". After reading that thread, I couldn't get the thought of Barry Sadler off my mind. Kinda like an old tune sticks in your head. Sadler wrote a series of books about Casca, the centurion that stuck the spear into Jesus's side while he suffered on the cross. Jesus convicted him to spend eternity as a mercenary, constantly fighting in every war, never dying but suffering the loss of friends and lovers. The books never would have won a prize as great American novels but they made for good light reading. Just remembering him to those of you who may have read his books.

 

[therevjay]

I read a few. I agree.

 

[Alpo]

I read all he wrote. Someone else took over the series after he died, but I have not read any of the newer books. Bad experiences with "later writers doing dead author's characters". See Conan after Howard died, the last John Carter book, etc.

 

[Texas Star]

The only author who wrote James Bond right was Ian Fleming, who created him.

The successors often failed to understand his psyche and are too PC.

I think I read all of Sadler's Casca books. Haven't seen the later ones.

 

[tinman931]

I read one or two and enjoyed them. Can't seem to find them anywhere locally. Does anyone have an idea where you can find copies?

 

[rwsmith]

Awwwwww

Aw man, Jesus wouldn't have done that....


I'll have to check out the books though. Sounds like an easy read.


PS Ye Gads. Sgt. Sadler had an awful life later. I just looked him up.

 

[canoeguy]

"Casca" books are great, more in the line of historical novels. Barry Sadler seemed to do a lot of work getting the facts right about battles and equipment used. Casca fought in every conflict from the Roman times to the Israeli "Six days War", so he used every weapon imaginable.

I think there were 22 or so Casca novels, I once had them all but sold them when I needed money to pay for my wife's college. Wish I had kept them as they command a premium when sold on Ebay.

I buy every copy of Casca I can find at used book stores or yard sales....

 

[Rangerpat]

Casca Rufio Longinius outlived all of his wives due to his curse... I hope to do the same one day.

 

[Hellraiser]

This whole thread is reminiscent of a poem by George S. Patton... 'ceptin' the poem's character continues to reincarnate...

General Patton - "Through a Glass, Darkly"

Both the poem and Casca... either would be curses... sure'nuff...

 

[timn8er]

A guy I knew was a back up musician for Sadler when he came to the Canal Zone. He said Sadler was drunk most of the time. I guess he had a lot of personal demons he was dealing with...

 

[the ringo kid]

I read one or two and enjoyed them. Can't seem to find them anywhere locally. Does anyone have an idea where you can find copies?

I had all the originals including one written by someone else. You can find them on Amazon, used bookstores and sometimes at Barnes and Nobles etc. The one I read writtien by someone else--was the worst of the lot.

 

[shouldazagged]

This whole thread is reminiscent of a poem by George S. Patton... 'ceptin' the poem's character continues to reincarnate...

General Patton - "Through a Glass, Darkly"

Both the poem and Casca... either would be curses... sure'nuff...

Well, as a poet Patton made a damn good general...

 

[tinman931]

I had all the originals including one written by someone else. You can find them on Amazon, used bookstores and sometimes at Barnes and Nobles etc. The one I read writtien by someone else--was the worst of the lot.

Oh yeah. Amazon duh don't know why I didn't think of that. Must be my first day on the internet?

 

[The Last Standing Knight]

This whole thread is reminiscent of a poem by George S. Patton... 'ceptin' the poem's character continues to reincarnate...

General Patton - "Through a Glass, Darkly"

Both the poem and Casca... either would be curses... sure'nuff...

First time I had read that poem. Am still wiping tears from my eyes.

 

[tinman931]

Just read up about him. You're right...sad ending.