MWSA Book Review

C.M.A.C. – A Vietnam Era Trilogy

Author:  James J. Finnegan

Publisher:  iUniverse

Reviewer: Bill McDonald – President of the MWSA

A Great Vietnam Trilogy

Author Jim Finnegan has taken his very successful trio of books about the Vietnam War era (Saga of a Student Warrior, Saga of a Saigon Warrior, and Saga of a Garrison Warrior) and put them in one great volume.  That book is called, “C.M.A.C. – A Vietnam Era Trilogy.”  This book puts the stories in order so the reader can continue the whole journey with the fictional James Callaghan.

In the first section of the book it has the beginning of this adventure tale which follows the military training of Callaghan.  There are 3 separate sections of this book each one taking the story further along.  The second one takes our hero to Saigon and The Capital Military Assistance Command (C.M.A.C.) in the year 1969.  The third section continues the journey as Callaghan is returned from near death and sent to Guam to convalesce.  He recovers and is sent on to command a signal company “where the trials and tribulations of a garrison environment test his perseverance.”

The book makes you feel emotionally connected to the characters in the story.  The author has a nice style and use of wording.  You get a good feeling about this time and place in our history even if you were not there you get a good understanding of what it must have been like.

The book has some light hearted moments.  The story is fictional, however as with all good authors, many of the situations and people are based on personal experiences.  The reader will become involved with the story, just as if it were happening to them.  Well told tale - and well worth reading.

MWSA's 2004 Distinguished Medal Award