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John Fifteen Thirteen
As the RPG (rocket-propelled grenade) came flying toward my side of the helicopter, my life literally flashed before my eyes. It was pitch-black outside, so the helo crew was flying on NODs (night observation devices). The crew was short a door-gunner, so I filled in on the starboard door gun. Through my NODs, I could see the RPG round sailing toward us. It came at us so fast; I didn't have time to call it out. We were conducting a routine drop off and pick up of personnel and had just taken off from the helipad. The downward thrust from the rotors must have caught the stabilizer fins on the rocket and caused it to change direction slightly. The rocket sailed under us, missing the helicopter skids by just a few feet.
I feel as though God held His protective hands around us that night. During the return flight back to base, I thought about all the times I'd had close brushes with death but God protected me. I wonder if a person gets only a certain number of those protections before they run out. I wonder if the number is different for each person. I wonder what my number is.
I feel as though God held His protective hands around us that night. During the return flight back to base, I thought about all the times I'd had close brushes with death but God protected me. I wonder if a person gets only a certain number of those protections before they run out. I wonder if the number is different for each person. I wonder what my number is.
154 pages, Paperback
Published April 17, 2019
3 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
John Nicholas Cassel
1 book4 followersJohn "St. Nick" Cassel is a former police officer and US government security contractor who has been deployed to the Balkans, South Central Asia, and the Middle East. He currently lives in Virginia with his wife and two children. John Fifteen Thirteen is his first book.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 12, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. Great stories and insight from a man with the heart and ability to serve. He has a personable, engrossing style of writing that keeps you turning pages. It was just as good the second time.
June 26, 2019
This book is an excellent memoir of a police officer turned security contractor that keeps you turning pages. Without spoiling anything, I’ll just say that he recounts some light-hearted moments, some tense “how’s-he-going-to-make-it-out-of-this” moments, and some gut-punching tragic moments. It reads almost like you’re hanging out with the author listening to him tell stories of his time on the force or in the field. It’s a very casual, thoroughly engaging style.
June 19, 2019
I was sad when this book ended. I found myself longing for a sequel so that I could follow St. Nick along on some more adventures. God bless this man who has served so well and sacrificed so much for his country. I pray he gets the happy ending he deserves. Great stories, colorful characters, didn’t want it to end.
June 13, 2021
"I wonder if a person gets only a certain number of those protections before they run out. I wonder if the number is different for each person. I wonder what my number is."
A police officer, serving his country every day in, night out. Do you wonder what might he face? How does he get through all of that? What inspires him each day to get out of bed and present to death and violence?
John Nicholas Cassel's new book is a motivating record of verifiable occasions which turns into an enlightening update about not surrendering to whatever life throws, and getting back up to fight the heaviest and hardest battles of life. This book is a magnificent journal of a cop turned security project worker that keeps you turning pages.
John attracts the readers with his comfort voice and tone. It almost feels like an embrace after a long day. After all, it’s a journal of life and hence, along with comes the obvious comfort memories. What immediately strikes is that the author moves readers with his straightforward approach and the creation of a seemingly relatable world, where reality is easily consumed. Less of fictional fantasy, the happenings arouse a sense of thrill and are as real, as they could be.
The initial a few sections of the book, are like stories inside a story, and while you might think it could get clumsy, the author's brilliant knowledge of writing comes into play. Every part plays a significant role in bringing together life of our protagonist. His metamorphosis from the life of a police man, to that of a security contractor, reminds one of the writings of R. K Narayan's novel 'Guide'. With a similar head in penning down transitional instances, John has done an amazing job.
Numerous new writers disregard the center pieces of the book they've composed and it can get dry and exhausting at that point. Not this one! It has action and thrill, nostalgia and memories, witty humor and decision-making, some days of rib breaking injuries but also moments of love and embrace.
While perusing this book, I ended up chuckling and cheering. I felt like I knew and adored the genuine characters presented inside the pages. It didn't take long for me to regard them, and need the best for them. It takes an uncommon author to make something that real and lovely. John has hit a homer with this splendid work of writing.
Without the said norms of journal writing, or the boundaries of a novel, this book is an avant-garde way of suggesting the edgy life of a man who lives life to save others.
It will recharge and resuscitate your Faith in God and divine intervention.
Another peculiarity of the book is how every section closes with a Bible stanza or a prayer which evokes a sense of meaning out of life and gives readers to ponder life for themselves. Overall, a suggested read for sure!
A police officer, serving his country every day in, night out. Do you wonder what might he face? How does he get through all of that? What inspires him each day to get out of bed and present to death and violence?
John Nicholas Cassel's new book is a motivating record of verifiable occasions which turns into an enlightening update about not surrendering to whatever life throws, and getting back up to fight the heaviest and hardest battles of life. This book is a magnificent journal of a cop turned security project worker that keeps you turning pages.
John attracts the readers with his comfort voice and tone. It almost feels like an embrace after a long day. After all, it’s a journal of life and hence, along with comes the obvious comfort memories. What immediately strikes is that the author moves readers with his straightforward approach and the creation of a seemingly relatable world, where reality is easily consumed. Less of fictional fantasy, the happenings arouse a sense of thrill and are as real, as they could be.
The initial a few sections of the book, are like stories inside a story, and while you might think it could get clumsy, the author's brilliant knowledge of writing comes into play. Every part plays a significant role in bringing together life of our protagonist. His metamorphosis from the life of a police man, to that of a security contractor, reminds one of the writings of R. K Narayan's novel 'Guide'. With a similar head in penning down transitional instances, John has done an amazing job.
Numerous new writers disregard the center pieces of the book they've composed and it can get dry and exhausting at that point. Not this one! It has action and thrill, nostalgia and memories, witty humor and decision-making, some days of rib breaking injuries but also moments of love and embrace.
While perusing this book, I ended up chuckling and cheering. I felt like I knew and adored the genuine characters presented inside the pages. It didn't take long for me to regard them, and need the best for them. It takes an uncommon author to make something that real and lovely. John has hit a homer with this splendid work of writing.
Without the said norms of journal writing, or the boundaries of a novel, this book is an avant-garde way of suggesting the edgy life of a man who lives life to save others.
It will recharge and resuscitate your Faith in God and divine intervention.
Another peculiarity of the book is how every section closes with a Bible stanza or a prayer which evokes a sense of meaning out of life and gives readers to ponder life for themselves. Overall, a suggested read for sure!
October 27, 2021
I've always been a big supporter of Law Enforcement and of the Military, so when I saw this book that had real life stories of one such person, who ended up going from a police officer to a US Government Security officer, I knew I had to read it. His love of God and Country are forever ingrained in my head. To read the actual memories of his time as a police officer in a small city in Georgia, and then as a government security officer, where he went to some of the scariest war torn areas in the world, the differences are polar opposites, to say the least. John's recollections are so vivid that I felt as though I was there watching every story unfold. If you want an inside look into what some of these men and women go through on a daily basis, I really think you should read this book, especially now, with all the stigma surrounding law enforcement and anyone who has to carry the safety of the people on their shoulders everyday, deals with. I don't think many people today have the guts or the psyche to do what these people do, and have done for many years. The public really needs a glimpse inside the life of law enforcement and the military to really appreciate what they do. I found myself tearing up and laughing throughout this book. It's definitely worth reading.
September 3, 2020
This is one of those “just one more chapter” type books. Pretty soon you’re finished with it and wanting more. Good thing he’s working on another book.
“John Fifteen Thirteen” was incredible! Cassel has such a unique perspective, and crazy stories to tell. Clear your schedules and grab this book, you won’t want to put it down until it’s finished. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“John Fifteen Thirteen” was incredible! Cassel has such a unique perspective, and crazy stories to tell. Clear your schedules and grab this book, you won’t want to put it down until it’s finished. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
November 21, 2020
Loved this book, especially how each chapter closes with a Bible verse or a prayer. Such an incredible read, fast too! It's amazing how much is covered, making me hope there's more books to come! More or less each chapter would make a book in itself!
In spite of what the author says, I do think he's a hero, and I'm grateful for his service as well as his servant heart!
In spite of what the author says, I do think he's a hero, and I'm grateful for his service as well as his servant heart!
June 9, 2020
Enjoyable story that I read in one sitting. Felt like I was having a friendly conversation with the author, where he shared his experiences and struggles without judgement but with conviction. More could have been said on certain topics, but perhaps that's the point, sometimes less is more.
November 22, 2020
I enjoyed this book so much. I got so involved with John’s story, and I could literally feel his emotions at certain moments from his words.
January 30, 2021
In these most recent times of deep political and social polarization, it was a comfort to re-read published author John Nicholas Cassel's memoir, John Fifteen Thirteen. The mere title directed my attention to the book's eponymous scripture, and with this second reflection of Cassel's personal journey as a former police officer and US government security contractor, I am inclined to add that greater love has no one than to lay down his life for his country. What greater definition can "patriot" proffer than this? How Christlike is the true patriot to bear the wounds -- seen and unseen -- for the continuation of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for others? John Fifteen Thirteen consumes the reader with descriptive passages and fluid dialogue -- delicately and neatly summated with brief lines of New Testament scripture. My first reading in early 2020 paid scant attention to these pearls of blessed wisdom. The military/LEO genre of writing held no fascination for me, and I was an unwilling reader when I received John Fifteen Thirteen as a book recommendation. However, the brevity and light-footed pace of Cassel's text genuinely crafted a character arc that was both enlightening and thought-provoking. The hallmark of a great memoir is that the author's authenticity in the telling of the story reverberates long after the last page is turned. There is a definitive after-glow when scanning Cassel's concluding lines in the book's Afterword, "I fought the good fight. I finished the race. I kept the faith." Referencing the final words of the film "The Book of Eli," Cassel deftly sketches the patriot's solemn figure -- battle worn, but hopeful. The once "quiet kid in the sandbox" embarks on a new personal odyssey as a Christian warrior-cum-author. This reader's wish is that Cassel will envisage the remaining lines of John 15:17 "This is my command: Love each other" by continuing to write. His eloquent, unfettered voice is needed more than ever.
August 28, 2019
Fascinating!!!
Have you ever wondered if cops are "regular"people? With hopes N
And lives like ours? They are NOT!!! DRIVEN by an ambition to be the best as no others!Every single day, they put their lives on the line to
Protect the lives of others..... If you think about it, would you??In a freezing apartment alone in the other side of the world, no contact with Home..... Or in city here in US, LOOKING for the bad guys....It takes a special soul to dedicate their lives to this frustrating job. If ever you were curious, PLEASE READ THIS BOOK!! I think Mr.Vessel has a great career as a writer!!! Will follow, will read all he writes!!!!!
Have you ever wondered if cops are "regular"people? With hopes N
And lives like ours? They are NOT!!! DRIVEN by an ambition to be the best as no others!Every single day, they put their lives on the line to
Protect the lives of others..... If you think about it, would you??In a freezing apartment alone in the other side of the world, no contact with Home..... Or in city here in US, LOOKING for the bad guys....It takes a special soul to dedicate their lives to this frustrating job. If ever you were curious, PLEASE READ THIS BOOK!! I think Mr.Vessel has a great career as a writer!!! Will follow, will read all he writes!!!!!
August 31, 2019
Uplifting story of a warrior and servant of God
This story is entertaining and uplifting all at once it also teaches you some personal security lessons. A great read that goes by too fast
This story is entertaining and uplifting all at once it also teaches you some personal security lessons. A great read that goes by too fast
March 20, 2021
good Christian journey of life from a police officer turned overseas contract work serving our country
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews