What do you think?
Rate this book
Final Mission: Zion: The Pale Horse Saga
"A must-read for lovers of World War II fiction!" - Don McKale, Third Reich/Hitler expert and author of Nazis After Hitler
In 1938, as the Third Reich is just beginning its reign of terror, hundreds of Jewish orphans are hidden away in Austria, in the midst of their underground escape to Palestine. The only man who knows their location is killed, leaving the children with precious little time to survive. The dead man leaves a single set of Find U.S. Department of War agent Neil Reuter—he will save the children.
Reuter, who is part-Native American, is a wreck, grieving the murder of his wife and unborn son. Realizing this mission goes beyond his grief, he accepts, hurtling himself toward the menace of the Third Reich. Relentlessly pursued by the Nazis, as well as his own people from the U.S. Department of War, Reuter uses his unique set of skills to battle his way from England, through Germany and on to Austria in a race against time to find the hidden group of children.
A sweeping saga of espionage and suspense, over the backdrop of a tantalizing love story, FINAL ZION combines modern storytelling with the excitement and cliffhangers of the classic Saturday afternoon movie serial.
In 1938, as the Third Reich is just beginning its reign of terror, hundreds of Jewish orphans are hidden away in Austria, in the midst of their underground escape to Palestine. The only man who knows their location is killed, leaving the children with precious little time to survive. The dead man leaves a single set of Find U.S. Department of War agent Neil Reuter—he will save the children.
Reuter, who is part-Native American, is a wreck, grieving the murder of his wife and unborn son. Realizing this mission goes beyond his grief, he accepts, hurtling himself toward the menace of the Third Reich. Relentlessly pursued by the Nazis, as well as his own people from the U.S. Department of War, Reuter uses his unique set of skills to battle his way from England, through Germany and on to Austria in a race against time to find the hidden group of children.
A sweeping saga of espionage and suspense, over the backdrop of a tantalizing love story, FINAL ZION combines modern storytelling with the excitement and cliffhangers of the classic Saturday afternoon movie serial.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
496 pages, Paperback
Published December 12, 2017
2 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
Chuck Driskell
19 books43 followersThe youngest of five children, Chuck’s initial love of fiction was borne out of a lack of money coupled with an overactive childhood imagination. On Sunday afternoons during his childhood, Chuck’s parents would take the entire family to the public library—it was pleasurable and, best of all, free. He credits The Shining, by Stephen King, as being the first novel he ever read.
Following high school, Chuck joined the Army after finding little inspiration (or money) for college. He was stationed stateside at Fort Sill and as a paratrooper at Fort Bragg; but it was Chuck’s two-and-a-half years stationed in Germany that forged many of the memories that fuel his interest today.
Following his honorable discharge from the Army, Chuck endured more schooling before embarking on a career in advertising. In 2001 he co-founded B2B Media, Inc., a company that would go on to be named the second fastest-growing company in South Carolina.
While his career was progressing nicely, an active skydiver, Chuck suffered an accident while BASE jumping from the New River Gorge Bridge in West Virginia. Although he’s since recovered, the accident took away his ability to compete in numerous sports. It was the accident, and his resulting physical limitations, that would later become the seed for his need to write.
As his career churned on, Chuck married his wife in 2003. Fulfilled personally and professionally, something began to tug at his mind. Before his accident he’d been able to satisfy his inner desires, first with the adrenaline of a soldier’s life, and later as a risk-taking skydiver. When he could no longer be either, he realized something was missing.
Searching for an answer, in 2005 and at the behest of one of his closest friends, Chuck began to write. Claiming he couldn’t write a decent sentence at the time, he started by penning his own experiences. After moving on to short stories for a period, he eventually began to write novel-length stories in earnest. Over time he learned to blend flawed characters with extraordinary situations, creating a hybrid of the classic spy/suspense novel. Chuck’s passion for travel—especially in Europe—helps lend genuine background and texture to his writing.
Now, every day, Chuck awakens before the dawn and writes. He claims his writing is at its best when his mind is a blank slate. Plus, by writing early, he doesn’t miss time with his wife, his daughter, or his son. They live in South Carolina.
Following high school, Chuck joined the Army after finding little inspiration (or money) for college. He was stationed stateside at Fort Sill and as a paratrooper at Fort Bragg; but it was Chuck’s two-and-a-half years stationed in Germany that forged many of the memories that fuel his interest today.
Following his honorable discharge from the Army, Chuck endured more schooling before embarking on a career in advertising. In 2001 he co-founded B2B Media, Inc., a company that would go on to be named the second fastest-growing company in South Carolina.
While his career was progressing nicely, an active skydiver, Chuck suffered an accident while BASE jumping from the New River Gorge Bridge in West Virginia. Although he’s since recovered, the accident took away his ability to compete in numerous sports. It was the accident, and his resulting physical limitations, that would later become the seed for his need to write.
As his career churned on, Chuck married his wife in 2003. Fulfilled personally and professionally, something began to tug at his mind. Before his accident he’d been able to satisfy his inner desires, first with the adrenaline of a soldier’s life, and later as a risk-taking skydiver. When he could no longer be either, he realized something was missing.
Searching for an answer, in 2005 and at the behest of one of his closest friends, Chuck began to write. Claiming he couldn’t write a decent sentence at the time, he started by penning his own experiences. After moving on to short stories for a period, he eventually began to write novel-length stories in earnest. Over time he learned to blend flawed characters with extraordinary situations, creating a hybrid of the classic spy/suspense novel. Chuck’s passion for travel—especially in Europe—helps lend genuine background and texture to his writing.
Now, every day, Chuck awakens before the dawn and writes. He claims his writing is at its best when his mind is a blank slate. Plus, by writing early, he doesn’t miss time with his wife, his daughter, or his son. They live in South Carolina.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 19, 2018
This was a fantastic read.
February 6, 2021
I am rating this book a 3.5. Although it was a good story, it was way too long!
November 23, 2021
A young native American proves to have hidden talents while he serves as driver for a general in World War I. His talents get him gigs teaching others to fight and outwit the enemy, eventually becoming the CEO of a shipping company in California.
But the death of his wife sends Neil Reuter, AKA Pale Horse, into a tale spin in which he doesn't look like he will pull out of — that is until he gets a letter from a dead man, which sends him back into a different form of warfare, challenging him mentally and physically beyond anything he's done before.
It's amazing that there are so many good stories that cover the era of World War II. Perhaps its because there are so many angles to telling what it was like to live through this particular war, particularly when considering the goals of the Third Reich and its 'ultimate solution.' This particular story is interesting but I did find it a little too long for my liking and the hero made a little too perfectly. With some solid editing it could have been shorter, Neil Reuter would be more realistic and the tale would still be good.
But the death of his wife sends Neil Reuter, AKA Pale Horse, into a tale spin in which he doesn't look like he will pull out of — that is until he gets a letter from a dead man, which sends him back into a different form of warfare, challenging him mentally and physically beyond anything he's done before.
It's amazing that there are so many good stories that cover the era of World War II. Perhaps its because there are so many angles to telling what it was like to live through this particular war, particularly when considering the goals of the Third Reich and its 'ultimate solution.' This particular story is interesting but I did find it a little too long for my liking and the hero made a little too perfectly. With some solid editing it could have been shorter, Neil Reuter would be more realistic and the tale would still be good.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews