THE WILD GEESE (1977) by Daniel Carney
Monday, 17. April 2006, 07:23:48
By all accounts the unpublished manuscript was the basis for the movie of the same name. After the movie came out the book was then published.It tells the tale of Allan Faulkner, an almost washed up mercinary commander whose last mission was a disaster. This mission to rescue deposed Julius Lambandi is his chance at redemption. He recruits 50 mercinaries to join him in the mission, five groups of ten men. The novel follows the leaders of these groups Rafer Janders, Jeremy Chandos, Peter Coetzee, Shaun Fynn and R.S.M. Sandy Young.
The plan to get the deposed leader is simple and works well until the owner of the plane which is picking up the men refuses to land and pick up his passengers as he is under fire. Faulkner and his men are forced on the run, losing men.
The group finds another plane but only a handful of the orginal fifty mercinaries survive. Faulkner is wounded and left behind and presumed to have been killed.
This novel has a number of good character moments as it follows the mission from initial suggestion to completion. It is bleak and realistic, with many members of the team actually dying on the mission. Ex-mercenary leader Col. Mike Hoare is quoted on the back cover "The story is fast, gripping and exciting. It reflects faithfully the spirit of men who fight for money or adventure."
Well recommended.
