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series Reading Order

Casca Books in Order

59 Books
1979 – 1988 Published
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Reading order

Where to Start with Casca

The absolute best place to start is the very first book, The Eternal Mercenary (1979). Written by series creator Barry Sadler, it establishes Casca's origin, the rules of his immortality, and the framing story that sets his endless journey in motion. From there, you have two primary options for navigating this massive, action-packed saga: publication order or chronological order.

Publication Order vs. Chronological Order

1. Publication Order (Recommended)

Reading in publication order is the most popular way to experience the series. It allows you to follow the development of the character and the shifts in writing styles as different authors took the reins. You begin with Barry Sadler's original run (Books 1–22), move through Paul Dengelegi's brief continuation, and dive into Tony Roberts' extensive modern contributions. It also avoids confusion, as the books were published without regard to their historical sequence.

2. Chronological Timeline Order

Because Casca is immortal, his adventures hop across human history. A chronological reading path rearranges the books to follow the timeline of Casca's life rather than the dates the novels were printed. This order begins with his curse in 30 A.D. and moves forward through history:

  • The Eternal Mercenary (Book 1): 30 A.D. – 226 A.D. (His origin in Golgotha and time as a Roman gladiator)
  • The Barbarian (Book 5): 226 A.D. – 252 A.D. (Fighting in the Roman legions and encountering Vikings)
  • God of Death (Book 2): 252 A.D. (Encountering Aztec civilization in Mexico)
  • The War Lord (Book 3): 304 A.D. (Travelling to Imperial China)
  • The Persian (Book 6): 309 A.D. – 379 A.D. (Serving as a general in Persia)
  • The Damned (Book 7): Ends in 453 A.D. (Defending Rome against Attila the Hun)

While this chronological path is fun for history buffs, it can feel disjointed because the writing style, publisher details, and narrative tone jump back and forth across decades of real-world publication history.

Understanding the Authors and Continuity

The Casca series is defined by its changing guard of authors, which has resulted in several distinct eras:

  • The Barry Sadler Era (Books 1–22): Sadler, a Vietnam veteran and composer of the famous "Ballad of the Green Berets," created the series. He wrote or outlined the first 22 books until his death in 1989. While ghostwriters were heavily involved in some titles, this era retains a raw, pulp-military energy that fans love.
  • The Continuation Era (Books 23–24): Paul Dengelegi took over briefly, writing The Liberator (1999) and The Defiant (2001).
  • The Tony Roberts Era (Book 25 onwards): Since 2006, British author Tony Roberts has been the primary driving force behind the series, expanding the lore and taking Casca to new battlefields.
  • The John L. Thompson Era (2026 onwards): John L. Thompson, the long-time cover artist for the series, joined as a co-writer starting with The Guardian.

The Plagiarism Controversy

Readers should note that books 29 (Immortal Dragon) and 33 (The Outlaw) were originally written by Michael B. Goodwin. After publication, these books were found to contain extensive plagiarism of David Morrell's Rambo III and Andrew J. Fenady's The Trespassers, respectively. Goodwin was removed from the series, and these printings were subsequently withdrawn, making them rare collector's items today.

Frequently Asked

QWhat is the best book to read first in the Casca series?

You should start with The Eternal Mercenary (Book 1). It introduces Casca, explains how he became immortal, and sets up his eternal curse.

QDo I need to read the Casca books in strict numerical order?

No. Aside from a few direct sequels (like The Persian following The Barbarian), most Casca novels are standalone historical adventures that can be enjoyed in any order.

QWho wrote the Casca series after Barry Sadler died?

After Sadler's death, the series was written by Paul Dengelegi, followed by Tony Roberts, who wrote the majority of the modern entries. John L. Thompson joined as a co-writer in 2026.

QWhy are some Casca books hard to find?

Books 29 (Immortal Dragon) and 33 (The Outlaw) by Michael B. Goodwin were withdrawn from publication due to plagiarism issues, making physical copies rare.

QIs there an official chronological reading order?

There is no official chronological release, but fans and the official site (casca.net) maintain a timeline tracking Casca's life from 30 A.D. to the modern era.