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The Jackson MacKenzie Chronicles: In the Eye of the Storm
War - It changes everyone and everything it touches. But especially the men who live in the trenches. Who fight the battles. Lt. Colonel Jackson Joseph MacKenzie is one of those men. He grew up in the shadow of a legendary Marine. Part of a family tradition to serve, he joined the United States Army. His first war - Korea -taught him death the hard way, both personal and professional. His second - Vietnam - never-ending pain. And betrayal by those above him. Those he trusted. His superiors. Given a top-secret mission to help end the war, he carried out his orders. Then upon his return, they disavowed any knowledge of it. He found himself in a six-by-eight cell with no way out and no hope. A man broken by the horrors of the Vietnam War and the POW camp that left everlasting scars. Memories - nightmares - that haunted him, even awake, and left him a prisoner in his own mind.
278 pages, Paperback
Published June 24, 2020
About the author
Angel Giacomo
25 books9 followersAfter a successful career in law enforcement as a field officer, explosives detection K-9 handler, and fatality traffic investigator, Angel Giacomo gravitated toward writing. She holds a degree in Political Science and History. A strong believer in helping veterans, Angel supports several veteran organizations. Her first book, a military thriller titled The Jackson MacKenzie Chronicles: In the Eye of the Storm, was published in 2020.
Angel has had many different careers. Her life has been a learning experience spanning more than 50 years. Examples of her experience include handling a bomb-sniffing dog, loading cargo planes, entering data at a computer, playing the trombone, washing dishes at a restaurant, and sacking groceries.
She has attended FEMA classes on Terrorism, Suicide Bombers, and Nuclear/Biological, handled explosives, and shot various weapons, from the M1 Garand to the AR-15, as well as many different pistols.
A jack of many trades and a master of none. Or maybe a few.
Angel has had many different careers. Her life has been a learning experience spanning more than 50 years. Examples of her experience include handling a bomb-sniffing dog, loading cargo planes, entering data at a computer, playing the trombone, washing dishes at a restaurant, and sacking groceries.
She has attended FEMA classes on Terrorism, Suicide Bombers, and Nuclear/Biological, handled explosives, and shot various weapons, from the M1 Garand to the AR-15, as well as many different pistols.
A jack of many trades and a master of none. Or maybe a few.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 16, 2021
If you love an exciting and action filled war story then this is for you and if you aren’t then perhaps this will convert you and ensure the genre, or at least the author, gets added to your lists of reading options.
Without giving too much away it is the gripping and action filled story of a flawed Vietnam hero who is manipulated and used by his superiors. People who see their troops as just pawns in a bigger game and if pieces are lost then they can live with it as they prepare for the next mission, battle or war.
Despite there being one or two instances where the use of American Military abbreviations and acronyms made me go off and look them up that didn’t break the tension and desire to keep reading. The description of Vietnam made me feel like I was there in the jungle as well as being glad that I wasn’t.
I started reading it in the evening and, when I finally looked up again, it was the early hours of the morning. My body and tired eyes were telling me to finish the book later but my mind was fighting for me to carry on. Talk about tough calls.
Suffice to say I managed to finish the story and soon went back to read it again because I enjoyed it so much.
Without giving too much away it is the gripping and action filled story of a flawed Vietnam hero who is manipulated and used by his superiors. People who see their troops as just pawns in a bigger game and if pieces are lost then they can live with it as they prepare for the next mission, battle or war.
Despite there being one or two instances where the use of American Military abbreviations and acronyms made me go off and look them up that didn’t break the tension and desire to keep reading. The description of Vietnam made me feel like I was there in the jungle as well as being glad that I wasn’t.
I started reading it in the evening and, when I finally looked up again, it was the early hours of the morning. My body and tired eyes were telling me to finish the book later but my mind was fighting for me to carry on. Talk about tough calls.
Suffice to say I managed to finish the story and soon went back to read it again because I enjoyed it so much.
June 30, 2020
Meet Lt. Colonel Jackson MacKenzie, a man to whom honor is everything. He served his country and became a prisoner of war in Vietnam. Before he can recover from the mental and physical scars of that experience, his country betrays him even as they ask more from him.
In the Eye of the Storm is a spell-binding account of Jackson MacKenzie’s war experiences as well as his emotional journey dealing with those experiences. The action scenes had me turning pages as fast as I could, heart racing, to find out what happened next. Some of the emotional experiences brought actual tears to my eyes. The author takes the reader through tension, emotion, and, ultimately, joy with a few laughs thrown in to ease the tension.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author.
In the Eye of the Storm is a spell-binding account of Jackson MacKenzie’s war experiences as well as his emotional journey dealing with those experiences. The action scenes had me turning pages as fast as I could, heart racing, to find out what happened next. Some of the emotional experiences brought actual tears to my eyes. The author takes the reader through tension, emotion, and, ultimately, joy with a few laughs thrown in to ease the tension.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author.
January 27, 2022
This is one of those Books that make the "Difference". If you are passionate about War and History, "The Jackson MacKenzie Chronicles" will surely catch your attention ...
Among the pages of this Book, you will find much more than you expect ....
War in Vietnam. Duty, Honor, Country. Through these words, I managed to immerse myself in reading this Book. The story of a man, deeply wounded in the soul, with a past difficult to forget, to overcome, it is not "only" the hard life at the forefront of the Special Force, made of Blood and Death, but something terrible and dark , which marked him deeply, forever.
We perceive ties that tighten between the Soldiers, away from home, under Army, the Team becomes the Family, the Friends become Brothers, forever. This is one of those Books that you can "touch" with your hand, the reading is so fluent and engaging, that you have the feeling of being present, while the story unfolds before our eyes.
They are extremely intense chapters to read, exciting, because the mood is transferred to us, many themes are addressed, and they are so current despite the story unfolding in the past, many "ropes" are touched, you can feel a strong empathy for the protagonist.
Jackson McKenzie's Life is continually put to the test, betrayal, anger, pain, and in certain moments darkness... he will have to fight with his worst enemy: himself.
Along his way this man will meet ... a wild spirit, which will penetrate his interior.
A strong, powerful and wonderful creature who manages to change something within him, "A Special Contact" through unconditional trust and great mutual respect and ...excursions, in the rugged wild nature, in the heart of the mountains. A Great Friendship is born.
If like me you love the Historical Conflict in Vietnam, the Honor, the Duty for your Country, the true and only American Patriotism, Justice, Truth, Friendship, all intertwined with the Life of a Man, who tries to fight the his "demons", and to get out of them; I recommend reading. Will this man be able to regain his strength and have the courage to come out of the darkness? This is the book for you.
Personally I think that if a writer manages to hit you "inside" and reach the heart of the reader and leave a "trace", it means that he do his job very well. It was like that for me.
When you start reading, you will no longer be able to stop ...
I have already obtained my copy ... A reading absolutely, not to be missed.
Among the pages of this Book, you will find much more than you expect ....
War in Vietnam. Duty, Honor, Country. Through these words, I managed to immerse myself in reading this Book. The story of a man, deeply wounded in the soul, with a past difficult to forget, to overcome, it is not "only" the hard life at the forefront of the Special Force, made of Blood and Death, but something terrible and dark , which marked him deeply, forever.
We perceive ties that tighten between the Soldiers, away from home, under Army, the Team becomes the Family, the Friends become Brothers, forever. This is one of those Books that you can "touch" with your hand, the reading is so fluent and engaging, that you have the feeling of being present, while the story unfolds before our eyes.
They are extremely intense chapters to read, exciting, because the mood is transferred to us, many themes are addressed, and they are so current despite the story unfolding in the past, many "ropes" are touched, you can feel a strong empathy for the protagonist.
Jackson McKenzie's Life is continually put to the test, betrayal, anger, pain, and in certain moments darkness... he will have to fight with his worst enemy: himself.
Along his way this man will meet ... a wild spirit, which will penetrate his interior.
A strong, powerful and wonderful creature who manages to change something within him, "A Special Contact" through unconditional trust and great mutual respect and ...excursions, in the rugged wild nature, in the heart of the mountains. A Great Friendship is born.
If like me you love the Historical Conflict in Vietnam, the Honor, the Duty for your Country, the true and only American Patriotism, Justice, Truth, Friendship, all intertwined with the Life of a Man, who tries to fight the his "demons", and to get out of them; I recommend reading. Will this man be able to regain his strength and have the courage to come out of the darkness? This is the book for you.
Personally I think that if a writer manages to hit you "inside" and reach the heart of the reader and leave a "trace", it means that he do his job very well. It was like that for me.
When you start reading, you will no longer be able to stop ...
I have already obtained my copy ... A reading absolutely, not to be missed.
June 29, 2024
"The Jackson MacKenzie Chronicles: In the Eye of the Storm” was profoundly captivated. The hands of the clock relentlessly swept towards the hours of the early morning as I found myself utterly engrossed. The narrative compelled me to journey through its pages, driven by the desire to unveil the fate of the valiant soldier who unreservedly dedicated himself to his nation, only to have his trust betrayed by his superior officers. This enduring reality remains as potent now as it was during the tumultuous era of the Vietnam War. The notion of "Saving Face" in the eyes of the public prompts the willing sacrifice of young lives by the US government during times of conflict, as was starkly evident in the recent troop withdrawal from Afghanistan.
The core narrative orbits around a man fractured by the ravages of war, embarking on the arduous journey to reclaim his life from the depths of despair, relying solely on his own determination. The weight of PTSD as it is now known. During the time of the Vietnam War, it was called “Vietnam Syndrome” and before that “Shell Shock.” No matter what the term it comes from going through tragic events that weigh heavily on the internal soul of those involved. This is a substantial aspect of his struggle. During the Vietnam War, individuals of similar plight were briefly provided respite, often numbed by drugs, only to be thrust back into the battlefield. This account echoes through the pages, illustrating the narrative of one individual who was mangled by the machinery of war, then cast aside to grapple with his own demons alone inside a six by eight cell. Something utterly impossible without help.
The book expertly weaves the tale of his ordeal, a testimony to the toll taken by the military system, leaving him to navigate the path to recovery without a compass. Many soldiers, tragically, don't find their way, seeking refuge in the embrace of a bottle or surrendering to the scourge of suicide. These somber truths are masterfully explored within the book's confines as Jackson grapples with them and many other roadblocks both physical and mental. I wholeheartedly endorse reading this exceptional literary work, for it is beyond the scope of a mere few paragraphs to fully encompass its profound essence.
The core narrative orbits around a man fractured by the ravages of war, embarking on the arduous journey to reclaim his life from the depths of despair, relying solely on his own determination. The weight of PTSD as it is now known. During the time of the Vietnam War, it was called “Vietnam Syndrome” and before that “Shell Shock.” No matter what the term it comes from going through tragic events that weigh heavily on the internal soul of those involved. This is a substantial aspect of his struggle. During the Vietnam War, individuals of similar plight were briefly provided respite, often numbed by drugs, only to be thrust back into the battlefield. This account echoes through the pages, illustrating the narrative of one individual who was mangled by the machinery of war, then cast aside to grapple with his own demons alone inside a six by eight cell. Something utterly impossible without help.
The book expertly weaves the tale of his ordeal, a testimony to the toll taken by the military system, leaving him to navigate the path to recovery without a compass. Many soldiers, tragically, don't find their way, seeking refuge in the embrace of a bottle or surrendering to the scourge of suicide. These somber truths are masterfully explored within the book's confines as Jackson grapples with them and many other roadblocks both physical and mental. I wholeheartedly endorse reading this exceptional literary work, for it is beyond the scope of a mere few paragraphs to fully encompass its profound essence.
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February 13, 2023MWSA Review
In the Eye of the Storm, by author Angel Giacomo, continues the saga of Jackson MacKenzie, a man born in 1934, who fought in the Korean War and subsequently attended West Point, carrying on his family tradition. The time frame for this book is 1972 through 1973. Jackson has moved up through the ranks and is now on his fourth deployment to Vietnam following his capture, torture, and escape from a prisoner of war camp. Sent on a mysterious mission to Hanoi by the Department of Defense and possibly the CIA, his team is arrested upon their successful return to their base camp. Despite severe injuries, they are transported back to the United States and imprisoned in a military prison without the benefit of medical attention or proper legal counsel. Although Jackson is a hero and recipient of the Medal of Honor, he is treated as a traitor. This book is part of a trilogy, so the reader would have to purchase two more books to find out how the situation is resolved.
Review by Betsy Beard (February 2023)
In the Eye of the Storm, by author Angel Giacomo, continues the saga of Jackson MacKenzie, a man born in 1934, who fought in the Korean War and subsequently attended West Point, carrying on his family tradition. The time frame for this book is 1972 through 1973. Jackson has moved up through the ranks and is now on his fourth deployment to Vietnam following his capture, torture, and escape from a prisoner of war camp. Sent on a mysterious mission to Hanoi by the Department of Defense and possibly the CIA, his team is arrested upon their successful return to their base camp. Despite severe injuries, they are transported back to the United States and imprisoned in a military prison without the benefit of medical attention or proper legal counsel. Although Jackson is a hero and recipient of the Medal of Honor, he is treated as a traitor. This book is part of a trilogy, so the reader would have to purchase two more books to find out how the situation is resolved.
Review by Betsy Beard (February 2023)
February 16, 2023
My views of The Jackson MacKenzie Chronicles: In the Eye of the Storm. I couldn't put it down. It kept me turning pages to the end to see what happens to this brave soldier who gave everything for his country and it betrayed his trust. That is as much true today as it was during the Vietnam War. To "Save Face" the US government will willingly sacrifice young men and women in war. Look at the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan. This is the story of a man broken by war and trying to pull himself out of the gutter by his own bootstraps. He has PTSD as it is called now. During the Vietnam War they would and did give the men like this a few days rest, normally pumped full of drugs, then throw them back out on the line. This book shows this in the story of one man, chewed to pieces by the military system then left to his own devices to find a way. A lot of soldiers don't, finding solace in a bottle or suicide. All these are brought up in the book. Great book, I recommend you read it because only a few short paragraphs don't do it justice.
August 7, 2020
A good read.
I don't usually read war stories. I purchased this book because the author is kin to a friend of mine.
I was pleasantly pleased from the beginning. The story grabbed my interest and moved along quickly, introducing characters as they came into play. Showed the hardship of war, the loyalty of comrades and the strength of family.
A good read!
Posted by M. A. Matthews
I don't usually read war stories. I purchased this book because the author is kin to a friend of mine.
I was pleasantly pleased from the beginning. The story grabbed my interest and moved along quickly, introducing characters as they came into play. Showed the hardship of war, the loyalty of comrades and the strength of family.
A good read!
Posted by M. A. Matthews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews