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Disclosing the Secret
Jake Marcel never wanted anything to do with the military, let alone the intelligence community.
He was the grandson of Major Jesse Marcel, formerly of the 509th Bomb Group for the US Air Force; his grandfather was set up as the man who mistook a downed weather balloon for a crashed extraterrestrial craft allegedly reported by the US military in the 1940s.
Jake's father had also joined the military and retired as a decorated and respected colonel, but Jake still grew up with the ridicule of his grandfather's much publicized mistake and chose not to believe in the stories of what his grandfather once found in the desert.
But when Jake uses details of his father's bedtime stories to solve an engineering problem of his own, he draws the attention of the National Security Agency. To protect their seven-decade old web of secrets surrounding the crash from being unraveled, the NSA deploys their most secret Black Ops detachments to neutralize Jake. Reluctantly, Jake accepts the help of a government scientist who warns him of the imminent threat and seeks Jake's assistance in bringing forth disclosure of the government's cover-up.
The revelations shared by the scientist have the power to transform our civilization's perception of the universe and the world we live in. As Jake struggles to examine his own beliefs, he uncovers an object that has profound implications on the question of whether or not humans are alone in the universe. The truth, he will learn, is more explosive than he could ever have been prepared for.
When Jake realizes he may be able to play a role in exposing over 70 years of secrecy by proving his grandfather's discovery was real, he finds himself up against one of the world's most powerful governments as he confronts the most closely guarded secrets of our times.
A reality the world is not ready for; a technology that's not supposed to exist; a crash that never happened; a government that was not prepared; and a truth we were never to know... Disclosing the Secret is a Dan Brown paced sci-fi action thriller. It explores the idea of introducing an extraterrestrial presence into contemporary civilization and delves into its implications on our social, political and religious beliefs, challenging the reader to ask, "What if?"
All the events and technologies embedded within the narrative are based on alleged artifacts and incidents from the recollections of Col. Jesse Marcel Jr..
He was the grandson of Major Jesse Marcel, formerly of the 509th Bomb Group for the US Air Force; his grandfather was set up as the man who mistook a downed weather balloon for a crashed extraterrestrial craft allegedly reported by the US military in the 1940s.
Jake's father had also joined the military and retired as a decorated and respected colonel, but Jake still grew up with the ridicule of his grandfather's much publicized mistake and chose not to believe in the stories of what his grandfather once found in the desert.
But when Jake uses details of his father's bedtime stories to solve an engineering problem of his own, he draws the attention of the National Security Agency. To protect their seven-decade old web of secrets surrounding the crash from being unraveled, the NSA deploys their most secret Black Ops detachments to neutralize Jake. Reluctantly, Jake accepts the help of a government scientist who warns him of the imminent threat and seeks Jake's assistance in bringing forth disclosure of the government's cover-up.
The revelations shared by the scientist have the power to transform our civilization's perception of the universe and the world we live in. As Jake struggles to examine his own beliefs, he uncovers an object that has profound implications on the question of whether or not humans are alone in the universe. The truth, he will learn, is more explosive than he could ever have been prepared for.
When Jake realizes he may be able to play a role in exposing over 70 years of secrecy by proving his grandfather's discovery was real, he finds himself up against one of the world's most powerful governments as he confronts the most closely guarded secrets of our times.
A reality the world is not ready for; a technology that's not supposed to exist; a crash that never happened; a government that was not prepared; and a truth we were never to know... Disclosing the Secret is a Dan Brown paced sci-fi action thriller. It explores the idea of introducing an extraterrestrial presence into contemporary civilization and delves into its implications on our social, political and religious beliefs, challenging the reader to ask, "What if?"
All the events and technologies embedded within the narrative are based on alleged artifacts and incidents from the recollections of Col. Jesse Marcel Jr..
496 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 19, 2016
496 people are currently reading
404 people want to read
About the author
Vincent Amato
1 book12 followersVincent Amato’s books are slightly based on reality by combining history, sci-fi and action with an injection of real world science. The result is a blurred the line between fact and fiction to make the reader think, "what if". Keeping the Secret was inspired by Dr. Jesse Marcel’s Jr.’s recollection of crash debris his father brought home one night while working as an intelligence officer for the U.S. Army.
Born and raised in Australia, Vincent never planned on becoming a fiction writer or novelist. However, his interest in science sometimes overlapped with sci-fi, giving him a unique perspective to writing within the action and thriller genre that often embeds real world truths within the narrative. His approach to writing is to hook the reader with a compelling story by exploring all sides of the issues being faced by the protagonist.
Vincent graduated with an honors degree in engineering and works for a consulting engineering firm in Australia. Previous projects have led him to work in Dubai, Bahrain, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
Born and raised in Australia, Vincent never planned on becoming a fiction writer or novelist. However, his interest in science sometimes overlapped with sci-fi, giving him a unique perspective to writing within the action and thriller genre that often embeds real world truths within the narrative. His approach to writing is to hook the reader with a compelling story by exploring all sides of the issues being faced by the protagonist.
Vincent graduated with an honors degree in engineering and works for a consulting engineering firm in Australia. Previous projects have led him to work in Dubai, Bahrain, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
June 20, 2021
While I've been reading as much as ever, for some months I quit logging, rating, or reviewing completed books on Goodreads. I decided to pick up with this one because I felt it needed a counterweight to the many glowing reviews.
I've had this book on my Kindle for quite a while and finally decided to read it, which turned out to be an on-again, off-again experience. On the good side, the basic premise is interesting and the action is engaging if a bit unbelievable at times. My problem is that, except in overt fantasy tales, a reader expects a fictional tie-in to the real world to align with facts and experience, and one of the author's responsibilities is to avoid writing a jarring disconnect that pulls the reader out of the story. Unfortunately, for me such lapses occurred occasionally in this book. A couple of examples illustrate my point.
In chapter 3, set in July 1947, two years after the end of WWII, two soldiers are guarding B29 bombers and a building where nuclear weapons are stored. One soldier has a transistor radio to keep himself entertained while walking his rounds. Disregarding how unlikely this would be for a soldier guarding bombers and nuclear weapons, a reader with any knowledge of technical history would be pulled out of the story by the anachronism. While 1947 was before my time, I am aware that the world's first crude point contact transistor was not demonstrated in a lab until Dec. 23 1947, and the first commercially available transistor radio was not on the market until 1954, both facts that are readily available via a quick online search. Furthermore, when the soldiers' portable radios used to maintain contact with their superiors fail to function, presumably due to interference from a flying saucer hovering over the nuclear weapons storage building, one soldier tells the other to use the "landline" in the storage building to call the tower. This is another anachronism since, in 1947, that term would not have been in common use as there was no need to distinguish a wired telephone from nonexistent cell phones. The soldier would have referred to the device as a phone.
In another instance, set in contemporary times, a technician monitoring a vast server farm dedicated to real-time examination of electronic communications is notified on his screen of a "hit" on a match term. The author then requires the technician to physically run down the rows and aisles of servers in order to look on a particular server's screen to see the actual contents of the matching message. This is wrong on multiple levels. If the software that made the match can notify the technician at his station via electronic message, it can surely also deliver the actual intercepted message the same way. Furthermore, server farms are not made up of rows and rows of racked up home computers, complete with video screens. There would be nobody there to watch such screens and the wasted space, electricity, and excess heat requiring additional air conditioning make such a system ridiculous and unnecessarily expensive (they're expensive enough as it is).
There are additional instances of characters doing things in contemporary times that anyone in today's world would know to be the wrong thing to do if one wished to avoid the attention of agents of a surveillance state.
A few final aggravations: the author misuses "ordinance" instead of "ordnance" throughout the book to refer to weapons. Also, in chapter 58, an air-to-air missile attack on a business jet includes "The steel skin of the fuselage ripped open like aluminum foil ...". The author is apparently unaware that modern aircraft are made of aluminum rather than steel.
I've had this book on my Kindle for quite a while and finally decided to read it, which turned out to be an on-again, off-again experience. On the good side, the basic premise is interesting and the action is engaging if a bit unbelievable at times. My problem is that, except in overt fantasy tales, a reader expects a fictional tie-in to the real world to align with facts and experience, and one of the author's responsibilities is to avoid writing a jarring disconnect that pulls the reader out of the story. Unfortunately, for me such lapses occurred occasionally in this book. A couple of examples illustrate my point.
In chapter 3, set in July 1947, two years after the end of WWII, two soldiers are guarding B29 bombers and a building where nuclear weapons are stored. One soldier has a transistor radio to keep himself entertained while walking his rounds. Disregarding how unlikely this would be for a soldier guarding bombers and nuclear weapons, a reader with any knowledge of technical history would be pulled out of the story by the anachronism. While 1947 was before my time, I am aware that the world's first crude point contact transistor was not demonstrated in a lab until Dec. 23 1947, and the first commercially available transistor radio was not on the market until 1954, both facts that are readily available via a quick online search. Furthermore, when the soldiers' portable radios used to maintain contact with their superiors fail to function, presumably due to interference from a flying saucer hovering over the nuclear weapons storage building, one soldier tells the other to use the "landline" in the storage building to call the tower. This is another anachronism since, in 1947, that term would not have been in common use as there was no need to distinguish a wired telephone from nonexistent cell phones. The soldier would have referred to the device as a phone.
In another instance, set in contemporary times, a technician monitoring a vast server farm dedicated to real-time examination of electronic communications is notified on his screen of a "hit" on a match term. The author then requires the technician to physically run down the rows and aisles of servers in order to look on a particular server's screen to see the actual contents of the matching message. This is wrong on multiple levels. If the software that made the match can notify the technician at his station via electronic message, it can surely also deliver the actual intercepted message the same way. Furthermore, server farms are not made up of rows and rows of racked up home computers, complete with video screens. There would be nobody there to watch such screens and the wasted space, electricity, and excess heat requiring additional air conditioning make such a system ridiculous and unnecessarily expensive (they're expensive enough as it is).
There are additional instances of characters doing things in contemporary times that anyone in today's world would know to be the wrong thing to do if one wished to avoid the attention of agents of a surveillance state.
A few final aggravations: the author misuses "ordinance" instead of "ordnance" throughout the book to refer to weapons. Also, in chapter 58, an air-to-air missile attack on a business jet includes "The steel skin of the fuselage ripped open like aluminum foil ...". The author is apparently unaware that modern aircraft are made of aluminum rather than steel.
January 25, 2016
Absolutely fantastic book! The pacing of it is reminiscent of the spy thrillers I read growing up. I felt like I was right there with Jake, experiencing the mystery and the action firsthand. Really neat detail adding in facts at the beginning. It made the story all too real and a "what if" instead of something entirely implausible. Engaging book with hardly a dull moment. Would recommend to anyone who enjoys thrillers or sci-fi.
March 7, 2017
I was a bit put off in the first of the story as it seemed that the author was going to rehash all the conspiercy stories I grew up hearing but then the author started into his story. I had mentioned this to my wife and after I had read into the story I again gave an update to the wife and she now wants to read the book. It was a good read once I got to the main story, maybe I have been around to long if all the BS of the 50's and 60's puts me a bit foff,
December 30, 2018
Fascinating "What If?"
First, I'm a skeptic on UFOs, ETVs, and the whole genre around them.
Second, I do happen to believe there is intelligent life on other worlds, though I have no idea of their sppearance. I am a huge fan of science fiction works, in all media.
So...how to review this book?
It is a fascinating story, full of what if scenarios and postulations.
The action is entertaining, if occasionally implausible
I enjoyed reading it. Those who believe in UFOs will consider it a further "proof" of their beliefs. It is worth noting that for some, UFOs and Aliens have become nearly a religion of their own.
Who knows, maybe they'll be proven right, after all.
Extremely interesting to me, was the short epilogue that provides a fictional insight into how the world's major religions might react to a "Full Disclosure" of aliens. I'd guess those postulated reaction will form a major thrust of the follow-on book.
For.me, the what if questions are always the most interesting.
If you feel the same, you'll enjoy.this book.
NOTE: very clean morally. No sex, very mild language.
First, I'm a skeptic on UFOs, ETVs, and the whole genre around them.
Second, I do happen to believe there is intelligent life on other worlds, though I have no idea of their sppearance. I am a huge fan of science fiction works, in all media.
So...how to review this book?
It is a fascinating story, full of what if scenarios and postulations.
The action is entertaining, if occasionally implausible
I enjoyed reading it. Those who believe in UFOs will consider it a further "proof" of their beliefs. It is worth noting that for some, UFOs and Aliens have become nearly a religion of their own.
Who knows, maybe they'll be proven right, after all.
Extremely interesting to me, was the short epilogue that provides a fictional insight into how the world's major religions might react to a "Full Disclosure" of aliens. I'd guess those postulated reaction will form a major thrust of the follow-on book.
For.me, the what if questions are always the most interesting.
If you feel the same, you'll enjoy.this book.
NOTE: very clean morally. No sex, very mild language.
September 6, 2018
The world of Disclosing the Secret follows the Roswell UFO incident of 1947 through the eyes of many but primarily of our protagonist, Jake Marcel. The author, Vincent Amato, writes a riveting, extraterrestrial thriller that showcases the reality of just what lengths a federal government will go to ensure that the flow of information released to the public is controlled by them alone. Armed with thrilling suspense and historical relevance that parallels events that actually took place, this is a must-read for all, whether you be an alien enthusiast or closet conspiracy theorist.
November 15, 2018
I was not going to read this book because it obviously could not have a good ending and this was true. But the basic story worked and took me through some interesting thoughts and discussions. Just what will happen the day extraterrestrials are revealed on earth. Will it lead to the collapse of the petrochemical economy and religion?
Well, this book sets out the authors thoughts and largely leaves the reader to decide where things might go. The story was a bit let down by the superhero nature of the characters which I could not accept. Future books are not for me.
Well, this book sets out the authors thoughts and largely leaves the reader to decide where things might go. The story was a bit let down by the superhero nature of the characters which I could not accept. Future books are not for me.
November 8, 2018
Great Story, starting with Area 51 we move through uncovering the secret.
Starting with Area 51 we move through uncovering the secret. The Marcel family first involved, retain information through three generations that many do not believe. A secret government body within the US government strives to maintain the secret and kills to keep it.
Starting with Area 51 we move through uncovering the secret. The Marcel family first involved, retain information through three generations that many do not believe. A secret government body within the US government strives to maintain the secret and kills to keep it.
November 14, 2018
Read this book!
Roswell was a valid extraterrestrial contact. We have been lied to for decades. Our planet does not need to be in the terrible shape it's in. Accept these as your basic premises, then allow this book to take you on an incredible journey into a new world that is both frightening and chock full of possibilities
Roswell was a valid extraterrestrial contact. We have been lied to for decades. Our planet does not need to be in the terrible shape it's in. Accept these as your basic premises, then allow this book to take you on an incredible journey into a new world that is both frightening and chock full of possibilities
November 25, 2018
very thought provoking!
special scenes were very descriptive, in great detail! story line was very good. language was "G"rated! the only thing missing was, the wedding bells! the ending came from deep left field! It totally took me by surprise!!! would like to communicate with mr Amato!
special scenes were very descriptive, in great detail! story line was very good. language was "G"rated! the only thing missing was, the wedding bells! the ending came from deep left field! It totally took me by surprise!!! would like to communicate with mr Amato!
November 7, 2018
Thoroughly enjoyed
Loved the premise, story line and characters. Have seen a
number of UFOs never abducted (that I am aware of). Hard to believe anyone would still believe Earth is the only inhabited planet in the Universe.
Loved the premise, story line and characters. Have seen a
number of UFOs never abducted (that I am aware of). Hard to believe anyone would still believe Earth is the only inhabited planet in the Universe.
November 18, 2018
Excellent read, that keep you guessing until the end
Very enjoyable read especially if you are into sci-fi. Keeps you engrossed and events that are revealed may not be what you thought they would be
Very enjoyable read especially if you are into sci-fi. Keeps you engrossed and events that are revealed may not be what you thought they would be
November 26, 2018
Intriguing
While the book would benefit from some judicious pruning, I found it very compelling and thought proviking. Why is it taking so long for the next volume to emerge? Is there a note of truth in it and those who would wish to suppress it have caught up with the author?
While the book would benefit from some judicious pruning, I found it very compelling and thought proviking. Why is it taking so long for the next volume to emerge? Is there a note of truth in it and those who would wish to suppress it have caught up with the author?
December 7, 2018
A gripping story filled with twists and turns.
This book from the start kept me so interested that when I had to put it down I couldn't wait to get back to it. Well worth everyone's time to read.
This book from the start kept me so interested that when I had to put it down I couldn't wait to get back to it. Well worth everyone's time to read.
January 8, 2019
Not bad, a rather slow start so engaging with the story line I found tough, particularly a for me the story line is a couple of decades out of fashion but once it got going it was enjoyable. My kindle appears to suggest a sequel exists, didn't look for it though.
August 9, 2019
I was not expecting UFOs
I am not a I do guy so I had a bit of trouble with this book from the start. I decided to give it a try and it was an ok read,but I did not really enjoy it all that much.
I am not a I do guy so I had a bit of trouble with this book from the start. I decided to give it a try and it was an ok read,but I did not really enjoy it all that much.
July 24, 2020
This was a good read. I enjoyed the book but it was a little preachy. The characters were good and the premise believable. The plot was something I have thought about . I recommend this book and the author.
July 29, 2017
Very informative and well researched UFO thriller. With real people written in the fiction. Makes the reader ask what if?
May 5, 2018
A must read! You will never look up at the night sky the same way again.
November 24, 2018
Interesting read, I wanted to believe......
December 2, 2018
Very interesting scenario about extra terrestrial life and mankind's abuse of the planet all woven into an entertaining and enlightening story
December 9, 2018
Fun read
Fun with information about 1947!!! Definitely worth the time. Find out about Jesse Marcel and his family in this book.
Fun with information about 1947!!! Definitely worth the time. Find out about Jesse Marcel and his family in this book.
January 9, 2019
ET. Phone home
Enjoyed book. Exciting design. Interesting reference to Roswell, NM. This is obviously "Blue Book" brought to life, but what if???????
Enjoyed book. Exciting design. Interesting reference to Roswell, NM. This is obviously "Blue Book" brought to life, but what if???????
Currently reading
August 4, 2019I have only read a couple of chapters. When I read more my review will be better
August 9, 2019
I'm a believer now. This book was well written. Characters were well thought out and believable. I really liked this book, I've been telling everyone about it.
October 3, 2019
Something to think about!
Yes interesting views to read and think about! We head about unknown sittings that can't be. exposed I leave it to you
Yes interesting views to read and think about! We head about unknown sittings that can't be. exposed I leave it to you
January 17, 2020
Thrilling Revelation
Cleverly written and fast paced, Vince Amato leaves you sitting on the edge of your seat. Can't wait to read the next volume in this series.
Cleverly written and fast paced, Vince Amato leaves you sitting on the edge of your seat. Can't wait to read the next volume in this series.
February 24, 2016
A fantastic book interweaving such issues as disclosure, geopolitics and environmental sustainability. Vincent Amato impeccably brings together many aspects of the UFO phenomenon including greys, suppressed technologies, government cover ups and religious ramifications of extraterrestrial life.
What makes this unique is that Amato manages to convincingly discuss the issues surrounding disclosure in the form of an action/thriller novel. The novel draws upon the many facets of the UFO phenomenon, whilst simultaneously weaving in a fast paced storyline.
In the reviews it said that it was "part X-Files, part Matthew Reilly and part DaVinci Code" and after reading it, I would have to agree. A great book to introduce any newcomer to the topic of disclosure, sprinkled with action, intrigue, romance and sci fi. Highly recommend reading.
- "If we did what you wanted, disclose the ET presence, then in the same breath we will also have to admit that we cannot control whatever they, or whoever they are, from entering our airspace whenever they wanted. Mix in the implications to right wing religious organizations, don’t you think that would be a recipe for widespread public panic? Not everyone handles things the same way; the outcome would be unpredictable.”
What makes this unique is that Amato manages to convincingly discuss the issues surrounding disclosure in the form of an action/thriller novel. The novel draws upon the many facets of the UFO phenomenon, whilst simultaneously weaving in a fast paced storyline.
In the reviews it said that it was "part X-Files, part Matthew Reilly and part DaVinci Code" and after reading it, I would have to agree. A great book to introduce any newcomer to the topic of disclosure, sprinkled with action, intrigue, romance and sci fi. Highly recommend reading.
- "If we did what you wanted, disclose the ET presence, then in the same breath we will also have to admit that we cannot control whatever they, or whoever they are, from entering our airspace whenever they wanted. Mix in the implications to right wing religious organizations, don’t you think that would be a recipe for widespread public panic? Not everyone handles things the same way; the outcome would be unpredictable.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2016
Thrilling, suspenseful, cannot put down. Explanation of the origin of the crash of an UFO in Roswell in 1947. Secular fiction but weakly explains how God is tied into this. I knew when I picked this up as a free download that it was not a Christian fiction book and not written from a Christian worldview, but I did enjoy how Amato has tied in true/known events into this fictional account. Most of the events that I have researched and read about he has successfully placed in this novel that is most satisfying around the fictional events and plot he has created.
I don't particularly believe the religious elements in this novel, they differ to what my Christian upbringing and beliefs are, but it is one very enjoyable read.
Amato writes well and has a well-constructed novel.
This would make a great movie for secular viewing and attitudes only.
I look forward to the sequel in October for purely entertainment value only.
I don't particularly believe the religious elements in this novel, they differ to what my Christian upbringing and beliefs are, but it is one very enjoyable read.
Amato writes well and has a well-constructed novel.
This would make a great movie for secular viewing and attitudes only.
I look forward to the sequel in October for purely entertainment value only.
March 6, 2016
A little wordy and a lot preachy.
An enjoyable read that finds itself often mired in lengthy definitions and explanations. I thought of the movie, "The Day the Earth Stood Still" based on a short story titled "Farewell to the Master" by Harry Bates (1940). A wonderful tale of the world finding out that there is more life than ever imagined, and that it very protective of itself. Earth again is accused of developing technically before its inhabitants are properly evolved spiritually, and is becoming a danger as we take our first tentative steps into the universe. It took a lot less time and less moralizing.
An enjoyable read that finds itself often mired in lengthy definitions and explanations. I thought of the movie, "The Day the Earth Stood Still" based on a short story titled "Farewell to the Master" by Harry Bates (1940). A wonderful tale of the world finding out that there is more life than ever imagined, and that it very protective of itself. Earth again is accused of developing technically before its inhabitants are properly evolved spiritually, and is becoming a danger as we take our first tentative steps into the universe. It took a lot less time and less moralizing.
February 25, 2016
This would make a tremendous movie as the action is quite fast paced. The mixture of the speculation and reality by the heads of the major religions at the end was a good added plus to all that preceded the climax. While I don't have feelings one way or another on ET visitations I do not believe we are the only beings in the whole universe, nor do I believe we've cared for our creation as we should have.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews