MY SECOND NOVEL, SCHOCK-WAVE, IS NOW AVAILABLE...
My second novel began to be inspired when, as a teenager, I first saw Frank Capra’s classic 1946 motion picture, It’s A Wonderful Life (based upon Philip Van Doren Stern’s 1943 published work, The Greatest Gift). To this day, it is considered to be one of the greatest films ever made. In it, the lead character, George Bailey (portrayed by Jimmy Stewart), is classified 4-F due to an earlier childhood ear injury, and as a result, is ruled ineligible for the draft. He then spends the World War Two years in his home town of Bedford Falls running war bond drives and organizing scrap collections. By contrast, his younger brother Harry goes on to become a U.S. Navy fighter pilot who is eventually awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for preventing a two-plane Japanese “kamikaze” attack on an Allied troop transport in the South Pacific.
The film itself beautifully illustrates how, in cases of total war, as World War Two was, everyone in society is called upon to sacrifice in some form or fashion for the war effort. Whether they crossed oceans and took up arms to engage the enemy, or “merely” stayed at home and worked to insure the resources necessary for victory were supplied, precious few Americans were not impacted at the time. It was no different in the small rural Georgia community where I grew up.
In my own childhood in the 1960s, I knew a great many men in addition to my great Uncle Clyde, who had actually served in World War Two. I encountered them in daily life, and especially on Sundays at the little Baptist church we all attended. Sadly, it was only later in life when I entered college and was required to take “American History Two: WW2 to Present”, that I began to understand and appreciate the singular significance of that great and terrible war.
My professor, a lady who had come of age during the actual conflict, and who therefore had a passion for her subject matter, helped me to make sense of it all. One might say that she gave me the big picture, as it were. Sadly, however, by then it was too late to talk to many of the veterans I had earlier known, as they had already passed on, carrying their personal stories with them.
In the ensuing years, I would wander the cemetery at that same church and see marker after marker placed there in honor of the service of these men to this country during the “war to end all wars”. One of these very markers, still there to this very day, is dedicated to my great uncle, Andrew Cloud (a.k.a. “Clyde”) Jackson, who was born in 1921 and died in 1987. Nowadays, I have a copy of his service record, which I treasure as much as I do the black-and-white Polaroid pictures that he sent home of himself and his fellow soldiers posed atop burned-out German tanks amidst a wintry forest, taken not far from an obscure little Belgian town named Bastogne, sometime either very late in 1944 or very early in 1945.
By contrast, “Uncle” Clyde’s elder brother, and my grandfather, Cleo (whose name I bear), having been born in 1909, was a bit too old to fight in the war. The pictures I have of him at the time are of a simple farmer in overalls completely covered in dust as a result of what one famous comedian termed a full day spent plowing behind “the south end of a northbound mule”.
For this reason, I equally cherish certain things I now possess from that time period that once belonged to him. Among these are his draft registration card and his multiple WW2 ration books. Like most everyone in the country, he faced deprivation as a result of the war. Such staples as coffee, sugar, rubber tires, and gasoline were just plain hard to come by during the war years. Thus, while he may not have been in harm's way in the sense that no one was shooting at him as they were his younger brother, he still had a price to pay in order for America to achieve ultimate victory.
These days, I find myself somewhat of an unofficial, self-appointed expert on World War Two. I have collected up more resources than I can count about all the various battles that unfolded in this great conflict. Yet, for some reason, I am especially enamored with tales of espionage carried out by the various parties involved. Old time radio episodes, movies, television shows, books, and podcasts galore have been devoted to such exploits. I now propose to add yet another.
I was in college and engaged to the beautiful young lady who would one day become my wife when I made my first trip from Georgia up to East Tennessee to visit her relatives. It was there that I discovered that several of her uncles worked in a plant in Alcoa, Tennessee, which received its name from the Aluminum Company of America located there. I knew nothing of this place until that trip; but in short order, I soon discovered the vital role that it played in World War Two, which was the smelting of aluminum that enabled the production of lightweight bomber, fighter, and transport aircraft needed to prosecute the war.
In subsequent trips, I ventured beyond the foothills and up into the Great Smoky Mountains themselves, where I made my way up the Little Tennessee River Valley and into the southern Appalachian mountains proper. It was here that I encountered the succession of impoundments that culminate in Fontana Dam high up in North Carolina. I soon discovered that, while these dams are owned and operated today by the Tennessee Valley Authority, the three oldest of them actually predate the TVA, and were originally operated by the Aluminum Company of America in order to supply power to their plant situated a few dozen miles away.
It was here that the genesis of a story began to formulate in my mind. What if small, isolated, but critical World War Two battles had indeed been fought on the North American continent? What if the outcome of the war might have rested upon these heretofore unknown struggles? And what if those called upon to fight those battles had no military training, no military gear, and no military support? More importantly, what if, despite not having any of these things, they had failed in their mission?
The answer to these questions culminated in the story that unfolds in the following pages, wherein four teenage boys stumble upon a nefarious plot and soon realize that they are all that stands in the way of Hitler’s vision of bringing America to her knees, and of changing the outcome of the war and of human history as a result.
WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT SCHOCK-WAVE...
MULTIPLE ☆☆☆☆☆ FIVE STAR REVIEWS ONLINE!
“A very enjoyable read!”
“The story line was gripping and thought provoking.”
“A well written and researched novel! The author’s hours of research shined through.”
“A wonderful read!”
“I sincerely hope this author keeps on writing!”
“Now, that was a really good one!”
“I’ve already sent the QR Code and website info to family members who would enjoy this.”
“I’m glad this talented writer is using his God-given gift!”
“I thoroughly enjoyed this book... Whether you are a history buff or not, I highly recommend this novel!”
“I just finished reading Schock-Wave. I enjoyed it very much. I found it to be one of those books that's an easy read, and very hard to put down. And I learned a lot about WWII, Eastern Tennessee, and the TVA.”
“After reading Schock-Wave, I can wholeheartedly recommend this novel to anyone who appreciates the efforts, dedication, and patriotism of East Tennesseans. Needless to mention the Manhattan Project and TVA in the war effort for America.”
“Cleo Jackson has done a masterful job of luring us into thinking through 'what might have been.' Weaving historical events together with fiction, the reader is led through an informative, thought-provoking, and captivating journey of good versus evil. A bonus is the interesting history of the development of the TVA. A great read!”
“This book was so good!! The author masters weaving WW2 history, mid century Appalachian culture and geography (specifically East Tennessee), and suspense. I gave it 5 stars online because the entire story had my attention throughout. The author tells the story in a way that, afterward, has me contemplating unsung, ordinary, people with monumental, heroic character and action for good. Highly recommend for anyone who loves historical fiction, WW2, Appalachian roots, and heroic stories.”
“Extremely well plotted story integrating real life East Tennessee characters with Nazi spies during the WWII era. The reader grows to like these characters as the story develops. As a descendant of East Tennessee, I very much appreciated the author’s ability to recognize that culture and bring it into the 21st century. I also appreciated the way he combined life in East Tennessee during WWII with life there today. An excellent read leaving you with a happy feeling and a longing for more of the story. Like did the ‘young ins’ ever get to catch the record-breaking catfish at the bottom of the dam?”
“I enjoyed this book immensely! Having known the real Mr. Bruce Brackin (for whom one of the main characters is named) for nearly 50 years, I was intrigued about what parts of the story lines were based on fiction and what parts were based on non-fiction. I was surprised to read the 'Afterward' that affirmed my curiosities. This historical drama is a must read that will still serve as a good guide in current times. It should motivate us in protecting our country's borders, national treasures, and everyday resources.”
The film itself beautifully illustrates how, in cases of total war, as World War Two was, everyone in society is called upon to sacrifice in some form or fashion for the war effort. Whether they crossed oceans and took up arms to engage the enemy, or “merely” stayed at home and worked to insure the resources necessary for victory were supplied, precious few Americans were not impacted at the time. It was no different in the small rural Georgia community where I grew up.
In my own childhood in the 1960s, I knew a great many men in addition to my great Uncle Clyde, who had actually served in World War Two. I encountered them in daily life, and especially on Sundays at the little Baptist church we all attended. Sadly, it was only later in life when I entered college and was required to take “American History Two: WW2 to Present”, that I began to understand and appreciate the singular significance of that great and terrible war.
My professor, a lady who had come of age during the actual conflict, and who therefore had a passion for her subject matter, helped me to make sense of it all. One might say that she gave me the big picture, as it were. Sadly, however, by then it was too late to talk to many of the veterans I had earlier known, as they had already passed on, carrying their personal stories with them.
In the ensuing years, I would wander the cemetery at that same church and see marker after marker placed there in honor of the service of these men to this country during the “war to end all wars”. One of these very markers, still there to this very day, is dedicated to my great uncle, Andrew Cloud (a.k.a. “Clyde”) Jackson, who was born in 1921 and died in 1987. Nowadays, I have a copy of his service record, which I treasure as much as I do the black-and-white Polaroid pictures that he sent home of himself and his fellow soldiers posed atop burned-out German tanks amidst a wintry forest, taken not far from an obscure little Belgian town named Bastogne, sometime either very late in 1944 or very early in 1945.
By contrast, “Uncle” Clyde’s elder brother, and my grandfather, Cleo (whose name I bear), having been born in 1909, was a bit too old to fight in the war. The pictures I have of him at the time are of a simple farmer in overalls completely covered in dust as a result of what one famous comedian termed a full day spent plowing behind “the south end of a northbound mule”.
For this reason, I equally cherish certain things I now possess from that time period that once belonged to him. Among these are his draft registration card and his multiple WW2 ration books. Like most everyone in the country, he faced deprivation as a result of the war. Such staples as coffee, sugar, rubber tires, and gasoline were just plain hard to come by during the war years. Thus, while he may not have been in harm's way in the sense that no one was shooting at him as they were his younger brother, he still had a price to pay in order for America to achieve ultimate victory.
These days, I find myself somewhat of an unofficial, self-appointed expert on World War Two. I have collected up more resources than I can count about all the various battles that unfolded in this great conflict. Yet, for some reason, I am especially enamored with tales of espionage carried out by the various parties involved. Old time radio episodes, movies, television shows, books, and podcasts galore have been devoted to such exploits. I now propose to add yet another.
I was in college and engaged to the beautiful young lady who would one day become my wife when I made my first trip from Georgia up to East Tennessee to visit her relatives. It was there that I discovered that several of her uncles worked in a plant in Alcoa, Tennessee, which received its name from the Aluminum Company of America located there. I knew nothing of this place until that trip; but in short order, I soon discovered the vital role that it played in World War Two, which was the smelting of aluminum that enabled the production of lightweight bomber, fighter, and transport aircraft needed to prosecute the war.
In subsequent trips, I ventured beyond the foothills and up into the Great Smoky Mountains themselves, where I made my way up the Little Tennessee River Valley and into the southern Appalachian mountains proper. It was here that I encountered the succession of impoundments that culminate in Fontana Dam high up in North Carolina. I soon discovered that, while these dams are owned and operated today by the Tennessee Valley Authority, the three oldest of them actually predate the TVA, and were originally operated by the Aluminum Company of America in order to supply power to their plant situated a few dozen miles away.
It was here that the genesis of a story began to formulate in my mind. What if small, isolated, but critical World War Two battles had indeed been fought on the North American continent? What if the outcome of the war might have rested upon these heretofore unknown struggles? And what if those called upon to fight those battles had no military training, no military gear, and no military support? More importantly, what if, despite not having any of these things, they had failed in their mission?
The answer to these questions culminated in the story that unfolds in the following pages, wherein four teenage boys stumble upon a nefarious plot and soon realize that they are all that stands in the way of Hitler’s vision of bringing America to her knees, and of changing the outcome of the war and of human history as a result.
WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT SCHOCK-WAVE...
MULTIPLE ☆☆☆☆☆ FIVE STAR REVIEWS ONLINE!
“A very enjoyable read!”
“The story line was gripping and thought provoking.”
“A well written and researched novel! The author’s hours of research shined through.”
“A wonderful read!”
“I sincerely hope this author keeps on writing!”
“Now, that was a really good one!”
“I’ve already sent the QR Code and website info to family members who would enjoy this.”
“I’m glad this talented writer is using his God-given gift!”
“I thoroughly enjoyed this book... Whether you are a history buff or not, I highly recommend this novel!”
“I just finished reading Schock-Wave. I enjoyed it very much. I found it to be one of those books that's an easy read, and very hard to put down. And I learned a lot about WWII, Eastern Tennessee, and the TVA.”
“After reading Schock-Wave, I can wholeheartedly recommend this novel to anyone who appreciates the efforts, dedication, and patriotism of East Tennesseans. Needless to mention the Manhattan Project and TVA in the war effort for America.”
“Cleo Jackson has done a masterful job of luring us into thinking through 'what might have been.' Weaving historical events together with fiction, the reader is led through an informative, thought-provoking, and captivating journey of good versus evil. A bonus is the interesting history of the development of the TVA. A great read!”
“This book was so good!! The author masters weaving WW2 history, mid century Appalachian culture and geography (specifically East Tennessee), and suspense. I gave it 5 stars online because the entire story had my attention throughout. The author tells the story in a way that, afterward, has me contemplating unsung, ordinary, people with monumental, heroic character and action for good. Highly recommend for anyone who loves historical fiction, WW2, Appalachian roots, and heroic stories.”
“Extremely well plotted story integrating real life East Tennessee characters with Nazi spies during the WWII era. The reader grows to like these characters as the story develops. As a descendant of East Tennessee, I very much appreciated the author’s ability to recognize that culture and bring it into the 21st century. I also appreciated the way he combined life in East Tennessee during WWII with life there today. An excellent read leaving you with a happy feeling and a longing for more of the story. Like did the ‘young ins’ ever get to catch the record-breaking catfish at the bottom of the dam?”
“I enjoyed this book immensely! Having known the real Mr. Bruce Brackin (for whom one of the main characters is named) for nearly 50 years, I was intrigued about what parts of the story lines were based on fiction and what parts were based on non-fiction. I was surprised to read the 'Afterward' that affirmed my curiosities. This historical drama is a must read that will still serve as a good guide in current times. It should motivate us in protecting our country's borders, national treasures, and everyday resources.”
MY FIRST NOVEL, PastTime, IS ALSO AVAILABLE...
My first novel was inspired by the pile of glistening bones I happened upon one day as a young lad in the pasture at the back of my grandfather's farm. I now know that they were merely the discarded remains of hogs and steers butchered by him and my father and uncles in order to provide meat for our entire family. But back in the day, to a little boy with a vivid imagination, they looked for all the world like the bones of long dead prehistoric monsters. Like Ezekiel's valley of dry bones, I envisioned them arising, reassembling themselves, and being clothed in flesh, skin, fang, and claw as they came to life once again. It was this compelling memory which eventually drove me to write my very first novel, PastTime, in which the following adventure filled story came to life...
"It has been more than a quarter of a century since the world first became enamored with dinosaurs as a result of genetically re-engineered animals brought to life in the mind of a gifted and trailblazing author. Much has happened in the rapidly expanding real world of biotechnology in the meantime. For this reason, it was now not only plausible, but inevitable, that the events described in this book would unfold.
Welcome to 'PastTime', a drive-through preserve comprising 100 square miles of former South Dakota farmland, wherein a prominent Japanese scientist now heads a team employed by billionaire Robert Murdoch for the purpose of genetically re-engineering, not cretaceous era Dinosauria, but Pleistocene epoch mammalian megafauna, most of which died out only a few thousand years ago.
'PastTime' is already resplendent with herds of free roaming mammoths, mastodons, bison, and other gigantic Pleistocene herbivores. And these animals will soon be joined by an even more impressive array of once extinct North American carnivores, including enormous bears, lions, cheetahs, wolves, and of course, saber-toothed tigers!
But, the antagonism between the animals is nothing compared to that on display between the small group of humans who, through a series of unfortunate events, are inadvertently thrown into the mix together. Both readers who value animal rights as well as hunters will be impacted by this exhilarating and cautionary tale about survival and dominance in an unexpectedly vicious world."
WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT PastTime...
MULTIPLE ☆☆☆☆☆ FIVE STAR REVIEWS ONLINE!
“Dude tells a mean story!”
“The character building was really good. It was a very good read.”
“I just finished this book and I loved it! The author does a wonderful job in his story telling. I was able to picture the story in my mind as I read it, sort of like my own movie. I also learned quite a bit about the Pleistocene Megafauna (large mammals during the ice age). These animals really would be something to see, just from far, far away. I can't wait for his next book.”
“I recently finished reading PastTime and found it to be a thoroughly enjoyable read. The author's writing style was engaging and easy to follow, and the story had just the right amount of suspense and intrigue to keep me hooked.
One of the things I appreciated most about the book was the way it seamlessly wove together elements of historical fiction, mystery, and romance. The setting was vividly described, and I felt like I was transported to a different era. And the characters were all well-developed and interesting, with their own unique backstories and motivations. While there were a few plot points that felt a bit predictable, overall I thought the book was well-constructed and satisfying. And the way the author tied up all the loose ends at the end was both satisfying and emotionally resonant. Overall, I would highly recommend PastTime to anyone who enjoys a good story. It's a great read that will keep you guessing until the very end.”
"It has been more than a quarter of a century since the world first became enamored with dinosaurs as a result of genetically re-engineered animals brought to life in the mind of a gifted and trailblazing author. Much has happened in the rapidly expanding real world of biotechnology in the meantime. For this reason, it was now not only plausible, but inevitable, that the events described in this book would unfold.
Welcome to 'PastTime', a drive-through preserve comprising 100 square miles of former South Dakota farmland, wherein a prominent Japanese scientist now heads a team employed by billionaire Robert Murdoch for the purpose of genetically re-engineering, not cretaceous era Dinosauria, but Pleistocene epoch mammalian megafauna, most of which died out only a few thousand years ago.
'PastTime' is already resplendent with herds of free roaming mammoths, mastodons, bison, and other gigantic Pleistocene herbivores. And these animals will soon be joined by an even more impressive array of once extinct North American carnivores, including enormous bears, lions, cheetahs, wolves, and of course, saber-toothed tigers!
But, the antagonism between the animals is nothing compared to that on display between the small group of humans who, through a series of unfortunate events, are inadvertently thrown into the mix together. Both readers who value animal rights as well as hunters will be impacted by this exhilarating and cautionary tale about survival and dominance in an unexpectedly vicious world."
WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT PastTime...
MULTIPLE ☆☆☆☆☆ FIVE STAR REVIEWS ONLINE!
“Dude tells a mean story!”
“The character building was really good. It was a very good read.”
“I just finished this book and I loved it! The author does a wonderful job in his story telling. I was able to picture the story in my mind as I read it, sort of like my own movie. I also learned quite a bit about the Pleistocene Megafauna (large mammals during the ice age). These animals really would be something to see, just from far, far away. I can't wait for his next book.”
“I recently finished reading PastTime and found it to be a thoroughly enjoyable read. The author's writing style was engaging and easy to follow, and the story had just the right amount of suspense and intrigue to keep me hooked.
One of the things I appreciated most about the book was the way it seamlessly wove together elements of historical fiction, mystery, and romance. The setting was vividly described, and I felt like I was transported to a different era. And the characters were all well-developed and interesting, with their own unique backstories and motivations. While there were a few plot points that felt a bit predictable, overall I thought the book was well-constructed and satisfying. And the way the author tied up all the loose ends at the end was both satisfying and emotionally resonant. Overall, I would highly recommend PastTime to anyone who enjoys a good story. It's a great read that will keep you guessing until the very end.”
BOTH NOVELS ARE AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE DOWNLOAD IN DIGITAL
E-BOOK FORMAT FROM MAJOR ONLINE RETAILERS, INCLUDING
AMAZON, APPLE BOOKS, BARNES & NOBLE, FABLE,
GARDNERS, KOBO, SCRIBD, SMASHWORDS, VIVLIO,
AND OTHER LEADING E-BOOK DISTRIBUTORS
BY SEARCHING CLEO JACKSON AND THE TITLE
TO ORDER A PAPERBACK COPY, PLEASE CLICK ON ONE OF THE FOLLOWING LINKS
Purchase SCHOCK-WAVE Paperback
Purchase PastTime Paperback
AUDIOBOOK VERSIONS OF
BOTH BOOKS COMING SOON!
E-BOOK FORMAT FROM MAJOR ONLINE RETAILERS, INCLUDING
AMAZON, APPLE BOOKS, BARNES & NOBLE, FABLE,
GARDNERS, KOBO, SCRIBD, SMASHWORDS, VIVLIO,
AND OTHER LEADING E-BOOK DISTRIBUTORS
BY SEARCHING CLEO JACKSON AND THE TITLE
TO ORDER A PAPERBACK COPY, PLEASE CLICK ON ONE OF THE FOLLOWING LINKS
Purchase SCHOCK-WAVE Paperback
Purchase PastTime Paperback
AUDIOBOOK VERSIONS OF
BOTH BOOKS COMING SOON!