The Wild Geese

by Daniel Carney

Book Overview

They have exactly three hours to the change the fate of a nation. On a mission so dangerous no one would touch it. No one but madmen or a band of 50 battle-scarred, steel-hard mercenaries.Their... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0553105183
• ISBN13: 9780553105186
• Release Date: January 1978
• Publisher: Bantam Books
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.20 lbs.

Customer Reviews

You pull for the characters

What makes this book good? First: it's the writing, and the writing is good. Carney handles the narrative very well. He also inserts a discussion of Africa between two characters, a discussion about race, politics and the violence of the times, which hasn't changed all that much from then, circa 1970 to now. Now, the book is different from the movie in that more characters are introduced, and these character have `depth,' and considering the story is basically about mercenaries finding a why to make them likable isn't just important, it's necessary, and Carney success there also. Each character on which Carney spends time has a history. All the characters change during the course of the story and many die. This story has some romance, but is not a romance, just as it has `action,' but is not an adventure. There is gunfire, but no `gunplay.' There is no nobility of course, but no bloodthirstiness. Being a mercenary is a job. You pull for the characters simply because you don't want someone you like to die.

Great mercenary adventure

A group of over-the-hill soldiers are called upon to assemble a mercenary army for a single mission: rescue the dissident leader of an embattled African nation. When the current regime proves intractable at the negotiating table, a consortium of British companies hits on the perfect plan to turn things in their direction. By springing the country's popular but jailed former leader out of jail (I guess he was supposed to be a stand-in for Patrice Lumamba, murdered former president of the Congo, but that's just a guess), they'll have the needed leverage. The mercs they hire sound like they're about ready for retirement, but gamely decide on "one-last-mission". The novel lightly but briefly plays up preparations in a way tat suggests the mission will be a walk-over. Eventually, it is - unfortunately, our heroes forget that being mercenaries, they are not the only side that owes no allegiance. When the regime caves in too quickly, the mercenaries' contractors decide that the Wild Geese are now a liability, and abandon them. Now cut off in enemy territory, the mercenary army must fight its way out. It's no easy go.This was a great story, but it's not told all that well. The real meat of the book is the desperate escape, but the entire story feels rushed, even though there's a great story to be told. When our heroes are first introduced, the book hints at their complex lives ... without ever really fleshing them out. Also, it's hard to believe that our heroes - hardly innocent characters - couldn't see their betrayal coming. Still a great story, and certainly no small consolation for those who can't find the flick.

A rousing adventure from start to finish!

I read The Wild Geese after seeing the movie and I was not disappointed! The novel covers everything from romance, action, politics and even takes a stab at racism. I truly love the film as it is one of my favorite films ever. The story is easy to follow, engrossing, and one feels for the characters. Terrific for those interested in Africa,military matters, and action. Note: After searching six years for the film on video (out of print unfortunately) I had to go on another trek to find the book also out of print! So my advice to anyone interested is buy it when you see it! Ebay is a good place, thats where I found mine.

A thumping good read to rival Wilbur Smith

The late Daniel Carney (d 1985) was one of Africa's greatest writers and The Wild Geese was his finest book.Mercenary action and some scary predictions about the Congo. Well structured which makes the story easy to follow.The film starring Richard Burton, Roger Moore and Richard Harris is still available on video and is true to the novel

Very detailed and realistic adventure! A must-read.

This book has it all! Lots of military action, but of the sophisticated kind. Romance, too. Exciting, very deep and moving at times. We get to see the mercenaries not just as shallow cutouts of soldiers, but as people, getting a glimpse into their inner selves. Very detailed and factual, almost as if Carney is writing from personal experience. Has a great closing paragraph! I could go on and on, but you'll have to read it yourself.