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First Marine Expeditionary Force-Iraq #1-3
The Al Anbar Chronicles
Iraq imploded in 2006 after the bombing of the Golden Mosque in Samarra. The province of Al Anbar, in particular, became a hotbed of attacks on Coalition forces and sectarian violence. The First Marine Expeditionary Force was in charge of defeating the foreign Al Qaeda in Iraq and the local muhajideen.
I MEF was not just Marines, though. Units from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard as well from Coalition partners such as the UK also took part in the fighting.
THE CHRONICLES OF AL ANBAR is a compilation of three separate volumes which follow two Marines and a Navy Corpsman as they deploy in Fallujah and Ramadi. Their paths cross, but each story is distinct from the others, each a stand-alone volume.
BOOK 1: PRISONER OF FALLUJAH
Cpl Nicholas Xenakis made two tours to Iraq as a grunt, something he was born to do. When his wife gave him the “me or the Corps” ultimatum, he chose her, but not before he joined the local reserve battery for one last pump. The battery was assigned as a provisional MP company with the mission of convoy duty, something Nick figured would not be as exciting as his grunt tours, but at least he was back in the fight. Convoys from Fallujah to Ramadi and the Green Zone, however, gave him his adrenaline rush and a view of the war he hadn’t had before. But when his convoy was hit in Fallujah, Nick faced the most life-threatening and dangerous situation a Marine in Iraq could face, and he would have to face it alone.
Warning: Prisoner of Fallujah contains some vulgar language and some extremely graphic and disturbing descriptions of torture and violence. Some of the views expressed by characters in the book are not “politically correct” and do not necessarily reflect the views of the author and/or follow Marine Corps policy.
BOOK 2: COMBAT CORPSMAN
Zachary Cannon joined the Navy to get trained as a radiology tech, a skill he could use to get a job and support his family after his enlistment. But the needs of the Navy take priority, and much to his surprise, he was given orders to the Fleet Marine Force as a corpsman to an infantry battalion deploying to Iraq.
As part of a rifle squad in Ramadi, Zach joins the Marines on patrol, in assaults, and on security duty, facing the same dangers and hardships. Ramadi is a hotbed of insurgent activity in 2006, and Zach’s medical skills are put to the test as he witnesses death and injuries. Faced with snipers, full insurgent attacks, IEDs, rockets and mortars, and the never-ending heat, he cannot be a simple observer, there to treat his Marines. Navy or not, he quickly realizes that he is expected to be a full member of his squad, a combat corpsman.
Book 3: SNIPER
Noah Lindt heard the call of duty after the tragic events of 9/11. Despite a hampering medical condition that kept him on the outskirts of his high school class, he was accepted into the Marines where he found out he had a singular skill. He could outshoot almost anyone.
Marksmanship alone is not enough to be a successful scout sniper. Teamwork and mental discipline are paramount, and the self-professed loner has problems adjusting to his spotter as well as the rest of his platoon when they deploy to Ramadi, “the most dangerous city on earth.”
As a HOG, a “Hunter of Gunmen,” Corporal Lindt has to break through his personal barriers and become not only a marksman, but an NCO of Marines if his team will make it through numerous engagements with an enemy who has put a bounty on all American snipers.
I MEF was not just Marines, though. Units from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard as well from Coalition partners such as the UK also took part in the fighting.
THE CHRONICLES OF AL ANBAR is a compilation of three separate volumes which follow two Marines and a Navy Corpsman as they deploy in Fallujah and Ramadi. Their paths cross, but each story is distinct from the others, each a stand-alone volume.
BOOK 1: PRISONER OF FALLUJAH
Cpl Nicholas Xenakis made two tours to Iraq as a grunt, something he was born to do. When his wife gave him the “me or the Corps” ultimatum, he chose her, but not before he joined the local reserve battery for one last pump. The battery was assigned as a provisional MP company with the mission of convoy duty, something Nick figured would not be as exciting as his grunt tours, but at least he was back in the fight. Convoys from Fallujah to Ramadi and the Green Zone, however, gave him his adrenaline rush and a view of the war he hadn’t had before. But when his convoy was hit in Fallujah, Nick faced the most life-threatening and dangerous situation a Marine in Iraq could face, and he would have to face it alone.
Warning: Prisoner of Fallujah contains some vulgar language and some extremely graphic and disturbing descriptions of torture and violence. Some of the views expressed by characters in the book are not “politically correct” and do not necessarily reflect the views of the author and/or follow Marine Corps policy.
BOOK 2: COMBAT CORPSMAN
Zachary Cannon joined the Navy to get trained as a radiology tech, a skill he could use to get a job and support his family after his enlistment. But the needs of the Navy take priority, and much to his surprise, he was given orders to the Fleet Marine Force as a corpsman to an infantry battalion deploying to Iraq.
As part of a rifle squad in Ramadi, Zach joins the Marines on patrol, in assaults, and on security duty, facing the same dangers and hardships. Ramadi is a hotbed of insurgent activity in 2006, and Zach’s medical skills are put to the test as he witnesses death and injuries. Faced with snipers, full insurgent attacks, IEDs, rockets and mortars, and the never-ending heat, he cannot be a simple observer, there to treat his Marines. Navy or not, he quickly realizes that he is expected to be a full member of his squad, a combat corpsman.
Book 3: SNIPER
Noah Lindt heard the call of duty after the tragic events of 9/11. Despite a hampering medical condition that kept him on the outskirts of his high school class, he was accepted into the Marines where he found out he had a singular skill. He could outshoot almost anyone.
Marksmanship alone is not enough to be a successful scout sniper. Teamwork and mental discipline are paramount, and the self-professed loner has problems adjusting to his spotter as well as the rest of his platoon when they deploy to Ramadi, “the most dangerous city on earth.”
As a HOG, a “Hunter of Gunmen,” Corporal Lindt has to break through his personal barriers and become not only a marksman, but an NCO of Marines if his team will make it through numerous engagements with an enemy who has put a bounty on all American snipers.
592 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 18, 2013
39 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan P. Brazee
149 books191 followersI am a retired Marine colonel and now a full-time writer living in Colorado Springs with my wife, Kiwi, and infant twin daughters, Danika Dawn and Darika Marie.
I published my first work back in 1978, a so-so short story titled "Secession." Since then, I have been published in newspapers, magazines, and in book format in fiction, political science, business, military, sports, race relations, and personal relations fields. I returned to writing fiction in 2009, and I currently have over 85 titles published, 52 being novels. My novelette, "Weaponized Math," was a finalist for the 2017 Nebula Award, and my novella, "Fire Ant," was a 2018 Nebula finalist. My novel "Integration" was a 2018 Dragon Award finalist, and my novel "Sentenced to War" was a 2021 finalist. I am a USA Today Bestelling writer.
My undergraduate degree was earned at the U. S. Naval Academy (Class of 1979), and I have attended graduate school at U. S. International University and the University of California, San Diego, earning a masters and doctorate. I am a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the US. Naval Academy Alumni Association, and the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America.
I have rather eclectic tastes. I have won awards in photography, cooking, wrting, and several sports, earning national championships in rugby and equestrian events. When I'm not writing, I'm reading, cooking, going to the gym, or traveling. I attend quite a few cons over the course of a year, and love meeting other people who love books.
I write because I love it. I only hope that others might read my work and get a bit of enjoyment or useful information out of my efforts.
As an author, I don't think it is fair for me to rate any other author's books here on Goodreads if that rating is less than five stars. I have certainly read many books that do not deserve five (or four, three, or even two). However, I will not rate any of those here while I am a Goodreads author. Consequently, I will only be listing books that I really like and feel deserve five stars.
If you would like to join my email list and find out about new books or promotions, please sign up at http://eepurl.com/bnFSHH. My website is http://jonathanbrazee.com.
I published my first work back in 1978, a so-so short story titled "Secession." Since then, I have been published in newspapers, magazines, and in book format in fiction, political science, business, military, sports, race relations, and personal relations fields. I returned to writing fiction in 2009, and I currently have over 85 titles published, 52 being novels. My novelette, "Weaponized Math," was a finalist for the 2017 Nebula Award, and my novella, "Fire Ant," was a 2018 Nebula finalist. My novel "Integration" was a 2018 Dragon Award finalist, and my novel "Sentenced to War" was a 2021 finalist. I am a USA Today Bestelling writer.
My undergraduate degree was earned at the U. S. Naval Academy (Class of 1979), and I have attended graduate school at U. S. International University and the University of California, San Diego, earning a masters and doctorate. I am a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the US. Naval Academy Alumni Association, and the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America.
I have rather eclectic tastes. I have won awards in photography, cooking, wrting, and several sports, earning national championships in rugby and equestrian events. When I'm not writing, I'm reading, cooking, going to the gym, or traveling. I attend quite a few cons over the course of a year, and love meeting other people who love books.
I write because I love it. I only hope that others might read my work and get a bit of enjoyment or useful information out of my efforts.
As an author, I don't think it is fair for me to rate any other author's books here on Goodreads if that rating is less than five stars. I have certainly read many books that do not deserve five (or four, three, or even two). However, I will not rate any of those here while I am a Goodreads author. Consequently, I will only be listing books that I really like and feel deserve five stars.
If you would like to join my email list and find out about new books or promotions, please sign up at http://eepurl.com/bnFSHH. My website is http://jonathanbrazee.com.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 8, 2014
Al Anbar Chronicles
Outstanding review of the happenings in and around the Al Anbar area in a truly unique manner of writing in that all three relatings were of the same time frame but from 3 different pers inpectives. Tough telling of the horrors of war without any Hollywood shots. People died and life went on. Should be required reading for anyone interested in a military career.
Outstanding review of the happenings in and around the Al Anbar area in a truly unique manner of writing in that all three relatings were of the same time frame but from 3 different pers inpectives. Tough telling of the horrors of war without any Hollywood shots. People died and life went on. Should be required reading for anyone interested in a military career.
February 28, 2026
Go Figure
As riveting as his writing is in military sci-fi, it should be no surprise to his loyal readers that retired Colonel USMC writes one hell of a historical fiction as well.
Ioved the way this, was organized. A snapshot in time during conflict in Iraq told from the perspective of three very different combatants.
And what a story, if you don't read this, you'll spend the rest of the year wondering if it was really as good as everyone said it was.
Save yourself the angst!
As riveting as his writing is in military sci-fi, it should be no surprise to his loyal readers that retired Colonel USMC writes one hell of a historical fiction as well.
Ioved the way this, was organized. A snapshot in time during conflict in Iraq told from the perspective of three very different combatants.
And what a story, if you don't read this, you'll spend the rest of the year wondering if it was really as good as everyone said it was.
Save yourself the angst!
February 24, 2023
Once Marine always a Marine
So true, but it got a bit leggy about three quarters of the story, it also should have been checked better as there were several repeats
So true, but it got a bit leggy about three quarters of the story, it also should have been checked better as there were several repeats
September 21, 2015
Another good read
Coming from three different perspectives of the same time frame, this book puts it all together. Well written and timely, it may be a work of fiction but could just as easily be true.
Coming from three different perspectives of the same time frame, this book puts it all together. Well written and timely, it may be a work of fiction but could just as easily be true.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews