SKELLEN Posted July 27, 2004 Share Posted July 27, 2004 For no particular reason while playing CM the other night, I remembered an old friend of mine who used to read what I think were fictional novels by an author called 'Sven Hessel', although I could be slightly wrong with the name and whether the content was purely fictional or partly based on fact. The reason I'm mentioning this is because these books were based on the fightings from a German perspective during WW2 and my friend kept boasting about how good they were to read. He even manged to persuade me to read one or two from his vast collection, although it's pretty vague to me now, but I do remember thinking that the content was interesting and different from anything I'd read before. Does anybody know anything about this author and if so can you please disclose any information possible, as I think these books could be of some real value with regard to scenario design, or not as the case may be? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John D Salt Posted July 27, 2004 Share Posted July 27, 2004 Originally posted by SKELLEN: [snips] I remembered an old friend of mine who used to read what I think were fictional novels by an author called 'Sven Hessel', [snips] Does anybody know anything about this author and if so can you please disclose any information possible, as I think these books could be of some real value with regard to scenario design, or not as the case may be? I think it is the considered opinion of most authorities on military history that the works of Sven Hassel are as reliable and worthwhile as "Peter Rabbit, Tank Killer", just less entertaining. All the best, John. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Axe_ Posted July 27, 2004 Share Posted July 27, 2004 Terribly written. Stick to Willie Heinrich if you're interested in the Ost Front. And (to save Dorosh time and effot) Guy Sajer. There is such a wealth of well-written war novels out there (both for the First and Second world wars) -- from Mailer to Celine to Barbusse to Gerlach -- you can steer clear of Hassel and not miss a thing. Just my two cents. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sergei Posted July 27, 2004 Share Posted July 27, 2004 What about Jaroslav Hasek? Would his Svejk be a good source for realistic WWI scenarios? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Axe_ Posted July 27, 2004 Share Posted July 27, 2004 Originally posted by Sergei: What about Jaroslav Hasek? Would his Svejk be a good source for realistic WWI scenarios? Besides the Pickwick Papers, the funniest book I have ever read. Oh, and Voinovich's The Life and Extraordinary Adventures of Private Ivan Chonkin is a hoot too! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sergei Posted July 27, 2004 Share Posted July 27, 2004 Yes, it's just too bad that Hasek died before finishing the second part of the Good Soldier... that bloody drunk! And interesting figure otherwise as well. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Axe_ Posted July 27, 2004 Share Posted July 27, 2004 Humbly report, sir... 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antonius 007 Posted July 27, 2004 Share Posted July 27, 2004 You may find this usefull links : http://www.fact-index.com/s/sv/sven_hassel.html http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A379406 Greetz, Hans 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mad Russian Posted July 27, 2004 Share Posted July 27, 2004 Originally posted by Antonius 007: You may find this usefull links : http://www.fact-index.com/s/sv/sven_hassel.html http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A379406 Greetz, Hans Most interesting. I have several of his books. I was never quite sure what to make of them. I read them in High School and have kept them. I haven't even looked at them in over 25 years. If nothing else they are certainly good for a blast from the past... Panther Commander 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Dorosh Posted July 27, 2004 Share Posted July 27, 2004 Sven Hassel is perfectly realistic, if you believe such things as US Marines landing at Anzio waving samurai swords. Michael Dorosh Corporal by the Grace of God 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Axe_ Posted July 27, 2004 Share Posted July 27, 2004 Originally posted by Michael Dorosh: Sven Hassel is perfectly realistic, if you believe such things as US Marines landing at Anzio waving samurai swords.What would be the rarity penalty for that? :confused: 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Dorosh Posted July 28, 2004 Share Posted July 28, 2004 Originally posted by Axe2121: </font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Michael Dorosh: Sven Hassel is perfectly realistic, if you believe such things as US Marines landing at Anzio waving samurai swords.What would be the rarity penalty for that? :confused: </font> 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Axe_ Posted July 28, 2004 Share Posted July 28, 2004 Originally posted by Michael Dorosh: </font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Axe2121: </font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Michael Dorosh: Sven Hassel is perfectly realistic, if you believe such things as US Marines landing at Anzio waving samurai swords.What would be the rarity penalty for that? :confused: </font> 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seanachai Posted July 28, 2004 Share Posted July 28, 2004 Originally posted by John D Salt: I think it is the considered opinion of most authorities on military history that the works of Sven Hassel are as reliable and worthwhile as "Peter Rabbit, Tank Killer", just less entertaining. All the best, John. Ah, gods, how I live for a thread that brings up that complete and utter military humbug, poseur, and lying sack of ****e, 'Sven Hassel'. Or for another thread debating whether 'Guy Sajer' ever did ought but write a book as an Alsation Frenchman. It's then that you get the Grogs indulging in real satire. Frankly, from what I've seen, the various 'Adventures of Sven Hassel' are about as realistic as Nazi Party Heroic Singsongs, and less likely to be real than Eric Von Daniken's "Chariots of the Gods?". Mr. Salt: A very nice reference to how fecking stupid 'Sven Hassel's' works are, with a nice nod to Peter Rabbit... 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mace Posted July 28, 2004 Share Posted July 28, 2004 Originally posted by Michael Dorosh: Sven Hassel is perfectly realistic, if you believe such things as US Marines landing at Anzio waving samurai swords.The particular title for that book I think was 'Monte Cassino'. Even Aussies got a mention as fighting in Italy which draws me to the conclusion that perhaps Sven confused a pacific island with Anzio, and that the 27th Penal Panzer Regiment was actually part of the Imperial Nippon army? Regardless, I overlook the 100% historical innacuracy and read the books every now and then for entertainment. Something about Porta's tall stories gives me the giggles. Mace 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Engel Posted July 28, 2004 Share Posted July 28, 2004 Hassel is utterly inaccurate, but quite amusing. He's entertaining is much of the same vein as the pulp authors were. Accuracy be damned. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonS Posted July 29, 2004 Share Posted July 29, 2004 Heh. I read - and collected - all of Hassels books while I was aged between about 13 and 15. I thought they were wonderful, right up the with Leo Kessler. Then I bought Max Hastings "Overlord", and haven't looked back. At either of them (Hassel or Kessler). Thank god. Though ... Porta does have some funny stories, adn interesting recipies Jon P.S. LOTD is, I think, still pretty much the pick of the bunch. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richie Posted July 29, 2004 Share Posted July 29, 2004 I'm currently reading 'The Devil's Adjutant, Jochen Peiper, Panzer Leader' by Michael Reynolds. Man, it rocks! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeinzBaby Posted July 31, 2004 Share Posted July 31, 2004 Yep, *cough* I confess to having read all of Sven's books back in my impressionable youth of sweet 16, ..that'll be in the mid 70's if I can still remember. I loved them, thought he did a beautiful job. Capturing vividly the 'in your face' brutality, heart in your mouth action of the front..the terror Ahhh... 'Wheels of Terror', what a title. The Tiger attacks on the Eastern Front, Panther ambush at Cassino, Siberian assaults, the whoring. Tiny, Porta, Alt Un, Leigioner, Barcelona, von Baring, Hinka.. Now everyone says its not true..all bull****e... I wasn't there so I don't know... I'm shattered, I wan't to believe. Fantastic reading but not recomended for adults, ..oh to be young and silly again. mmm... better checkout all of my Charles Whiting's Books now. While I'm at it, I'll trash my 'Braveheart', 'Enemy at the Gates' and a few other suspect DVD's I loved to watch. It was All good entertainment, then and now 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeaconBlue Posted July 31, 2004 Share Posted July 31, 2004 I also read all his books. Never thought of them as historically accurate, except for the brutality. Speaking of books,here's some good ones: "Stuka Pilot" "Soldiers of Destruction" "Devils Virtuosos" "Lost Victories" "The Cruel Hunters" "Ordinary Men" 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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