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Casca #5
The Barbarian
Entangled in his most enduring romantic interest yet, Casca's latest adventure transports him to the Hold at Helsfjord in the icy Viking terrain of Northern Germany. The beautiful Lida swiftly captures Casca's heart, but with the vile intervention of a despicable sorcerer, the flames of their love are soon doused with heartache. By the hand of deception, Casca is left to battle the brutal monarch of Helsfjord; and, while exiled to a murky dungeon, an existence composed of his own decay, he once again faces his greatest enemy: immortality.
144 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published July 1, 1981
97 people are currently reading
191 people want to read
About the author
Barry Sadler
109 books78 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
American author, musician and former green beret.
To the general public he is most known for the hit single "Ballad of the green berets"
After his musical career he decided to write a series of novels centered around the character "Casca Rufio Longinius" Who is cursed for piercing Jesus on the crucifix with a spear and is forced to forever remain a soldier until the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
In the mid 1980s Sadler moved to Guatemala City where he was shot in the head one night in a taxi. He spent 7 months in a coma and died more than a year later.
American author, musician and former green beret.
To the general public he is most known for the hit single "Ballad of the green berets"
After his musical career he decided to write a series of novels centered around the character "Casca Rufio Longinius" Who is cursed for piercing Jesus on the crucifix with a spear and is forced to forever remain a soldier until the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
In the mid 1980s Sadler moved to Guatemala City where he was shot in the head one night in a taxi. He spent 7 months in a coma and died more than a year later.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
September 25, 2024
This one picks up directly after The Eternal Mercenary.
Such a great read. Casca carves a kingdom out of the German wilderness. More than that Casca finds a home. And people who love and respect him. But he is Casca, and doomed to outlive all his loved ones.
One really cool scene culminates: "What am I? I am the death that walks at every man's shoulder. I am the bearer of silence and the end to pain." He raised the axe in his right hand and pointed the spiked end at Ragnar. "I am Casca."
After that they began calling him Casca the Walker. How cool is that?
The final few pages made me a little misty eyed. I know it's not real, but boy does it tugs at your heart-strings. Prove me wrong, lol.
Chronological order thus far:
The Eternal Mercenary book one
The Barbarian book five
God of Death book two
The War Lord book three
The Persian book six
Panzer Soldier book four
Recommended!
Such a great read. Casca carves a kingdom out of the German wilderness. More than that Casca finds a home. And people who love and respect him. But he is Casca, and doomed to outlive all his loved ones.
One really cool scene culminates: "What am I? I am the death that walks at every man's shoulder. I am the bearer of silence and the end to pain." He raised the axe in his right hand and pointed the spiked end at Ragnar. "I am Casca."
After that they began calling him Casca the Walker. How cool is that?
The final few pages made me a little misty eyed. I know it's not real, but boy does it tugs at your heart-strings. Prove me wrong, lol.
Chronological order thus far:
The Eternal Mercenary book one
The Barbarian book five
God of Death book two
The War Lord book three
The Persian book six
Panzer Soldier book four
Recommended!
May 23, 2012
I absolutely loved this series of books. Casca fought in every war to come along until Jesus Christ once more returns to Earth. What a concept.
June 13, 2020
Hoopla has these for free in audio. Kindle unlimited has these in text but not audio. Scribd has the audio versions of these. Audible has these for one credit (10 bucks) per book, and one would have to get there head examined to pay that kind of money for these.
That made me realize something unexpectedly. I was interested in starting the Patrick O'Brian Aubrey Maturin series and I paid one credit at Audible for the first book since it wasn't available at Kindle Unlimited, or on Hoopla, but was available on Scribd in audio. That seems to me to be worth the price for signing up to Scribd in itself, and overall the quality between this awfully written Casca series and a well written series reflects on the reader and their intelligence.
I'm not sure, but I did sense that my intelligence lessened after having listened to each of these Casca books as contrasted with the Aubrey Maturin series and the history is just awful, his attitude towards women is 1960ish not even 1980ish, and his make believe attitudes towards honor is as sophisticated as any 13 year boy's would be.
This series is available at Scribd as is Aubrey Maturin. Given that choice I know which one I'm going to read first.
That made me realize something unexpectedly. I was interested in starting the Patrick O'Brian Aubrey Maturin series and I paid one credit at Audible for the first book since it wasn't available at Kindle Unlimited, or on Hoopla, but was available on Scribd in audio. That seems to me to be worth the price for signing up to Scribd in itself, and overall the quality between this awfully written Casca series and a well written series reflects on the reader and their intelligence.
I'm not sure, but I did sense that my intelligence lessened after having listened to each of these Casca books as contrasted with the Aubrey Maturin series and the history is just awful, his attitude towards women is 1960ish not even 1980ish, and his make believe attitudes towards honor is as sophisticated as any 13 year boy's would be.
This series is available at Scribd as is Aubrey Maturin. Given that choice I know which one I'm going to read first.
December 10, 2020
After rolling through Europe on German and “stolen” Russian Tanks in book four, Panzer Soldier, Casca is back to the more familiar era where he once started – The Roman Empire. However, Casca doesn’t stay in the Roman Empire very long. As the title implies, he crosses the Rhine River into Germany and lives with the barbarians of Germania. In book two of the Casca series, God of Death, the prologue introduces us to Glam the tall brutal barbarian that is eternally loyal to Casca. It also tells us of Lida and gives a basic outline about how Casca and her came together. All those brief outlines of characters and the deeds of Casca as told in the prologue of that book are fleshed out in this book. It is the story of how Casca became the Lord of Helsfjord.
In the earlier book, God of Death, Glam is already old and unable to accompany Casca on his next adventure. In this book, we get to see Glam in all his glory as the loyal brute he is. Imagine a slightly crazier and maybe less intelligent Conan, and that is who Glam is. He loves eating, women, and using his great axe to chop up Casca’s enemies. He is a more vicious version of Casca and was the best character in the book.
The heart of the story is Lida, daughter of Ragnar of Helsfjord. Ragnar is a tough and mean father. He is someone who will not hesitate to lash out irrationally at friend or foe. He is a brutish despot who commands loyalty through fear. When Ragnar discovers Casca and Lida’s forbidden affair, he will leave lasting marks upon both characters. Sadler does not get too emotionally sentimental or engage in a long courtship between the two characters, but he does present them as an effective team.
The great battle in this book, doesn’t have the scale of the Panzer Solider (nothing can quite compare to the Battle of Kursk), but it is a fight for the survival of his people, so the stakes are high.
After Panzer Soldier, this book felt a bit less epic. It tells a more personal story between Casca and Lida and gives us more Glam the Barbarian. With Lida at his side, Casca is happy and content and rules his people well. This was an entertaining read that fills in the gaps of Casca’s long life where we find him in a good place before wanderlust takes over again.
In the earlier book, God of Death, Glam is already old and unable to accompany Casca on his next adventure. In this book, we get to see Glam in all his glory as the loyal brute he is. Imagine a slightly crazier and maybe less intelligent Conan, and that is who Glam is. He loves eating, women, and using his great axe to chop up Casca’s enemies. He is a more vicious version of Casca and was the best character in the book.
The heart of the story is Lida, daughter of Ragnar of Helsfjord. Ragnar is a tough and mean father. He is someone who will not hesitate to lash out irrationally at friend or foe. He is a brutish despot who commands loyalty through fear. When Ragnar discovers Casca and Lida’s forbidden affair, he will leave lasting marks upon both characters. Sadler does not get too emotionally sentimental or engage in a long courtship between the two characters, but he does present them as an effective team.
The great battle in this book, doesn’t have the scale of the Panzer Solider (nothing can quite compare to the Battle of Kursk), but it is a fight for the survival of his people, so the stakes are high.
After Panzer Soldier, this book felt a bit less epic. It tells a more personal story between Casca and Lida and gives us more Glam the Barbarian. With Lida at his side, Casca is happy and content and rules his people well. This was an entertaining read that fills in the gaps of Casca’s long life where we find him in a good place before wanderlust takes over again.
December 12, 2017
Today’s review is for the fifth book in the “Casca: The Eternal Mercenary” series titled: Casca: The Barbarian (1981©), written by Barry Sadler. In this episode, Casca meets up with a Germanic / Norse tribesman named Glam and the story revolves are their adventures together over the next 30 to 40 years. Basically, Glam leads Casca around northern Europe and Casca takes over a “hold”. Casca over-throws the vicious lord of the hold and subsequently marries his daughter. Thus, Casca gains and ultimately loses the second great love of his life. Glam gives Casca one of his nicknames: “The Walker”.
All of these volumes have now fallen into their standard formula: character intro, travel around a bit, a few minor fights, a little bit of history, a major battle, and then some resolution before Casca has to wander off. Today’s title refers to a scene in the book where the original lord of the hold has a wall at the tides edge staked. When he wishes to execute someone (but not be “responsible” for the death), he has them staked with just their head above the high tide. The crabs do their work during the night and only the head (and skeleton) is left the following morning. Of course, the “curse” saves Casca (again).
If you are into adult / male historical fiction – with lots of geography, historical background and battles, this continues to be a very satisfying series. Final recommendation: strong recommendation.
All of these volumes have now fallen into their standard formula: character intro, travel around a bit, a few minor fights, a little bit of history, a major battle, and then some resolution before Casca has to wander off. Today’s title refers to a scene in the book where the original lord of the hold has a wall at the tides edge staked. When he wishes to execute someone (but not be “responsible” for the death), he has them staked with just their head above the high tide. The crabs do their work during the night and only the head (and skeleton) is left the following morning. Of course, the “curse” saves Casca (again).
If you are into adult / male historical fiction – with lots of geography, historical background and battles, this continues to be a very satisfying series. Final recommendation: strong recommendation.
March 7, 2023
"Casca 5: The Barbarian" is the fifth book in the "Casca" series. The book continues the story of Casca Rufio Longinus, a Roman soldier who was cursed by Jesus Christ to live forever as a wandering mercenary. In this installment, Casca finds himself in the midst of a power struggle between two warring factions in 1st century Britain.
The book opens with Casca being hired by a British king to help him defeat a rival tribe. However, Casca soon realizes that the king is a treacherous and cruel man, and he decides to switch sides and help the rival tribe instead. This decision sets Casca on a dangerous path, as he finds himself caught in the middle of a bitter feud between two powerful and ruthless factions.
One of the strengths of the book is its vivid descriptions of life in ancient Britain. Sadler does an excellent job of bringing the setting to life, with detailed descriptions of the landscape, culture, and customs of the various tribes. The book also delves into the political and social dynamics of the time, as the various tribes struggle for power and control.
Another highlight of the book is its action-packed battle scenes. Sadler is a skilled writer when it comes to depicting combat, and the battles in "The Barbarian" are no exception. The fights are fast-paced and intense, with plenty of gore and violence for readers who enjoy that sort of thing.
However, the book is not without its flaws. One of the main issues is the character development. While Casca is a well-established character by this point in the series, many of the supporting characters feel flat and one-dimensional. They are often little more than caricatures, with little depth or nuance.
Another issue is the predictability of the plot. While the book has its share of surprises and twists, much of the story feels familiar and formulaic. Readers who are looking for a fresh and original story may find themselves disappointed by the book's reliance on well-worn tropes and clichés.
Overall, "Casca 5: The Barbarian" is a solid addition to the series, and will likely appeal to fans of historical fiction and action/adventure novels. While it may not be the most groundbreaking or innovative book in its genre, it offers plenty of excitement and entertainment for readers who enjoy a fast-paced, action-packed story. The book's vivid setting and well-written battle scenes make it a good choice for readers who enjoy historical fiction with a strong focus on action and adventure. However, those looking for more nuanced characters and a more original plot may want to look elsewhere.
The book opens with Casca being hired by a British king to help him defeat a rival tribe. However, Casca soon realizes that the king is a treacherous and cruel man, and he decides to switch sides and help the rival tribe instead. This decision sets Casca on a dangerous path, as he finds himself caught in the middle of a bitter feud between two powerful and ruthless factions.
One of the strengths of the book is its vivid descriptions of life in ancient Britain. Sadler does an excellent job of bringing the setting to life, with detailed descriptions of the landscape, culture, and customs of the various tribes. The book also delves into the political and social dynamics of the time, as the various tribes struggle for power and control.
Another highlight of the book is its action-packed battle scenes. Sadler is a skilled writer when it comes to depicting combat, and the battles in "The Barbarian" are no exception. The fights are fast-paced and intense, with plenty of gore and violence for readers who enjoy that sort of thing.
However, the book is not without its flaws. One of the main issues is the character development. While Casca is a well-established character by this point in the series, many of the supporting characters feel flat and one-dimensional. They are often little more than caricatures, with little depth or nuance.
Another issue is the predictability of the plot. While the book has its share of surprises and twists, much of the story feels familiar and formulaic. Readers who are looking for a fresh and original story may find themselves disappointed by the book's reliance on well-worn tropes and clichés.
Overall, "Casca 5: The Barbarian" is a solid addition to the series, and will likely appeal to fans of historical fiction and action/adventure novels. While it may not be the most groundbreaking or innovative book in its genre, it offers plenty of excitement and entertainment for readers who enjoy a fast-paced, action-packed story. The book's vivid setting and well-written battle scenes make it a good choice for readers who enjoy historical fiction with a strong focus on action and adventure. However, those looking for more nuanced characters and a more original plot may want to look elsewhere.
December 3, 2018
I'm giving this three stars given the fact that Sadler recycled a portion of Casca: God of Death to write this book. While that was annoying, it did make a reasonable basis for a story and helped fill in the period which the earlier book runs through fairly quickly.
I'll say it again - that you can't accuse Sadler of being a purveyor of literature, not by a far cry. However, I enjoyed the character of Glam (why do Sadler's big, hairy companions both have a first name that starts with G (Gus)? Also, his descriptions are combat are quite good as well.
I enjoy this series for the mindless, entertaining and timewasting diversion that they provide. I ride a subway for about 14 minutes each way during the week and the entire series is the perfect size book to read. As well, the plots are usually quite simple, so they are easy to pick up where you left off when you are interrupted or done for the day.
Overall, I enjoy reading these books. If you are looking for more substance and depth in a book and series, pickup Jack Whyte's series as this one will disappoint. But if you have some time to kill and love to read, look no further than a Casca the Eternal Mercenary book. Now if they could have been in some kind of a chronological order....
Worth the time spent reading.
I'll say it again - that you can't accuse Sadler of being a purveyor of literature, not by a far cry. However, I enjoyed the character of Glam (why do Sadler's big, hairy companions both have a first name that starts with G (Gus)? Also, his descriptions are combat are quite good as well.
I enjoy this series for the mindless, entertaining and timewasting diversion that they provide. I ride a subway for about 14 minutes each way during the week and the entire series is the perfect size book to read. As well, the plots are usually quite simple, so they are easy to pick up where you left off when you are interrupted or done for the day.
Overall, I enjoy reading these books. If you are looking for more substance and depth in a book and series, pickup Jack Whyte's series as this one will disappoint. But if you have some time to kill and love to read, look no further than a Casca the Eternal Mercenary book. Now if they could have been in some kind of a chronological order....
Worth the time spent reading.
October 1, 2020
Casca and Glam, a hulking barbarian friend leave Rome behind and head for Germania. As a terrible winter threatens, they enter a Hold, a sprawling fort and agree to serve there till summer comes. Knowing he should not, Casca falls for the beautiful daughter (Lida) of the tyrant who rules the Hold. A mischevous druid who does not like Casca betrays their love and the tyrant decides to punish him. Finding the man-eating crabs nearby have no taste for Casca's blood, he has him locked in a cell with no food and water. Two years pass and Casca kept alive by Jesus' curse finally gets a chance to escape and kill the tyrant. Casca takes over the Hold and its people and the surrounding villages and is a good ruler. Saxons later attack and using his military knowledge, Casca beats overwhelming odds. Forty years pass and finally Lida dies but Casca is still cursed with eternal youth till Jesus returns.
June 24, 2018
Another episode in the cursed soldier of Romes life, as his sojourn through the tides of time continue.
This time he befriends Glam, a barbarian warrior.
Battles are fought, death and glory with blood and guts aplenty.
Takes control of a walled fort, falls in love, imprisoned, escapes, kills a tyrannical despot and rules his own little kingdom for a time.
Can be read in a day or two.
This time he befriends Glam, a barbarian warrior.
Battles are fought, death and glory with blood and guts aplenty.
Takes control of a walled fort, falls in love, imprisoned, escapes, kills a tyrannical despot and rules his own little kingdom for a time.
Can be read in a day or two.
February 14, 2025
Okay, I actually kind of liked this one, but mostly because of it exploring the curse of immortality when it comes to the people you love in your life. There were other elements in this one that I liked as well. It ALMOST makes me want to read the next one. Almost. If it somehow falls into my hands, I'll read it, but I won't be hunting for the book.
November 14, 2019
Much if not all of this volume in the series provides some background into how Casca ended up as a Germanic Warlord and fills in his years with Lida, his blind wife.
August 16, 2020
Really good
I enjoyed reading this a lot. Totally immersed in it. Looking forward to book 6 to see where it takes me.
I enjoyed reading this a lot. Totally immersed in it. Looking forward to book 6 to see where it takes me.
February 26, 2024
Book 5 of the Casca sword and sandal epic series covering his years in Germania. Good read for a lazy afternoon.
May 15, 2025
Another enjoyable Casca book. Maybe not as good as some of the earlier books but still great fun.
September 29, 2025
Great continuation of the tale of Casca.
March 4, 2017
Not my favorite, slow motions and some corny scenes trying to make him more sensible. But it was entertainment, maybe Cornwell took a few descriptions from here.
April 4, 2021
Once again, today is Easter, and I am spending the day reading about one the people who gave us a reason for the season...
Not, not the guy on the Cross. I read those books a long time again (Thank you, Anne Rice).
No, the guy at the bottom, who used his spear to hurry along the passing of the condemned. And thus, was condemned himself, to near eternal life and a forgotten place in history.
Casca, the Eternal Mercenary.
This time around, after a rough start traveling through the deserts of the Middle East, Casca finds himself north of the Roman Empire, fighting along side the Barbarian Norseman of Germania.
Along the way, he destroys some slavers, is imprisoned in a dungeon without food or water for over 2 years, and then becomes the lord of a fiefdom of his own. And taking a wife who he truely loved.
First time I read this, the ways of the Barbarians were still fresh in my mind - we had studied them while reading about Beowulf and the Saxon people. And so I was familiar with the Weird and the Gods of Asgard. (Of course, part of my education on this particular mythology began in the pages of the Thor comics. And WAY WAY before there was anything like the MCU!!!). So, I knew what to expect with some of the book.
31 years later, my field of knowledge has grown in such a way that I now could understand all references - Roman emperors, the battles of what would be the Holy Land, the gathering of Vandals and Barbarians that would, someday, bring down the Roman empire.
So, there was less running to the Encyclopedia, to look things up, and more fun just reading.
One thing that was throwing me off was the name of one character - having watched the tv show "Vikings" for the past half decade, and having just finished the last episode 3 weeks ago, I kept on telling myself the one character mentioned is NOT the same as the main viking of the series.
I would definitely recommend this book...
Not, not the guy on the Cross. I read those books a long time again (Thank you, Anne Rice).
No, the guy at the bottom, who used his spear to hurry along the passing of the condemned. And thus, was condemned himself, to near eternal life and a forgotten place in history.
Casca, the Eternal Mercenary.
This time around, after a rough start traveling through the deserts of the Middle East, Casca finds himself north of the Roman Empire, fighting along side the Barbarian Norseman of Germania.
Along the way, he destroys some slavers, is imprisoned in a dungeon without food or water for over 2 years, and then becomes the lord of a fiefdom of his own. And taking a wife who he truely loved.
First time I read this, the ways of the Barbarians were still fresh in my mind - we had studied them while reading about Beowulf and the Saxon people. And so I was familiar with the Weird and the Gods of Asgard. (Of course, part of my education on this particular mythology began in the pages of the Thor comics. And WAY WAY before there was anything like the MCU!!!). So, I knew what to expect with some of the book.
31 years later, my field of knowledge has grown in such a way that I now could understand all references - Roman emperors, the battles of what would be the Holy Land, the gathering of Vandals and Barbarians that would, someday, bring down the Roman empire.
So, there was less running to the Encyclopedia, to look things up, and more fun just reading.
One thing that was throwing me off was the name of one character - having watched the tv show "Vikings" for the past half decade, and having just finished the last episode 3 weeks ago, I kept on telling myself the one character mentioned is NOT the same as the main viking of the series.
I would definitely recommend this book...
April 29, 2015
So you just a soldier doing your job. You shove a spear tip into the side of this supposed messiah, except he is the real thing. He curses you to wander the earth till his return. Not bad right, immortality and all. Oh but he also curses you to be a soldier forever at war, never to know peace. This is the story of Casca the Roman legionnaire that stabbed Christ. Forever wandering the earth fighting one war after another. Great adventure series. Very recommended
September 21, 2015
This is one of those books that reminds me that this place needs a 2.5 stars option. It wasn't quite as good as the previous novels, mainly because it felt meandering for a significant portion. Still, it wasn't bad.
December 29, 2018
The book was good, a little run of the mill, but entertaining.
The biggest drawback is the story is the same story as the first half of book 2, but the story is greatly expanded about Casca's time in the Rhineland.
The biggest drawback is the story is the same story as the first half of book 2, but the story is greatly expanded about Casca's time in the Rhineland.
August 11, 2016
Excellent, even if it retells some of an earlier story. It goes into greater detail though, filling the gaps. And towards the end, it tells of a great and amazing love. And as a reader, you can feel Casca's pain of having to outlive those he loves. Wonderful book!
October 2, 2013
This was one of my favorites in the Casca series. This takes place before the events of book #2.
September 10, 2016
Another great book, and truly wonderful series by Barry Sadler.
March 28, 2016
At the end of the book I always feel sad for this man who was just following a order and now forever punished.
August 18, 2025
One of my favorites so far.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews