Product Description

LEGION OF THE DAMNED was the first of 14 novels written by Sven Hassel, a Danish volunteer who served in the German army throughout World War II. Never before had violence been described in such hideously graphic detail: it was a far cry from British or American war novels. Based on Sven Hassel's own horrific experiences fighting on the Russian Front, LEGION OF THE DAMNED won critical acclaim across Europe and America and was translated into 15 languages. It has now been optioned for a film.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #13139 in Books
• Published on: 2003-08-14
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 256 pages

About the Author
Born in 1917 in Fredensborg, Denmark, Sven Hassel joined the merchant navy at the age of 14. He did his compulsory year's military service in the Danish forces in 1936 and then, facing unemployment, joined the German army. He served throughout World War II on all fronts except North Africa. Wounded eight times, he ended the war in a Russian prison camp. He wrote LEGION OF THE DAMNED while being transferred between American, British and Danish prisons before making a new life for himself in Spain.

Customer Reviews

A Great Book Not for the Faint Hearted
This is a great book, that?s definitely not for the faint hearted. Hassel once again proves that he is a master teller of WWII stories with his unique twist of telling the story from the point of view of a foreigner severing in the Werhmacht. Tiny & the rest of the gang have a great sense of humor which keeps the book light hearted even when describing some of the more gruesome aspects of war.

At last! A re-print!
I first read these books almost 30 years ago in secondary school, and have always enjoyed the exploits of Porta, The Old Man, Heide, The Legionnaire and Sven as they rampaged and drank across the European theatre.

Over the years my collection has shrunk to just 3 tattered volumes - TBRTD, AG and MC - from the 1978 or 1979 Corgi editions, so I was very happy to see a reprint of 4 of the best, but who on earth commissioned the cover designs??

The author's name has the 'ss' from the middle of his name as an SS collar patch superimposed over the rest of his name.

As any fule kno, the 27th Tank Regiment hated the Nazis and their SS henchmen, and I can't believe the publisher let such an elementary error through.

The book itself? A great read, probably based most on fact of all his books, showing the horrors of war and the value of comrades in arms in extremis.

A true classic!
Legion of the damned is undoubtably the best book ive ever read. the way Hassel writes this book is graphic and unique.
Its about a doomed German platoon on the eastern front in 1943. Hassel is one of them. This book is definetly not for the squemish as it is very violent. It is so easy to pick up and read, but very hard to put back down!
I would recommend this book to anyone except for the squemish.
Its not just a typical blokes book, but it also has a lot of love and sensitivity.
Go on buy it!