Tales of Nihilism and Troublemakers: The Greatest Dog and Pony Show in Iraq, written by Stephen Russell, Army Veteran and Author

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Stephen Russell, a former airborne infantryman with a decade of military service, brings a unique perspective shaped by his deployment with Bco 1/12 3HBCT 1st Cav DIV to Baqubah, Iraq, during the surge in 2006-2007. Beyond the battlefield, he’s a versatile artist, currently contributing to the comic series Tales of Nihilism and open for traditional art commissions. He believes the U.S. hasn’t fully reckoned with the aftermath of 9/11, emphasizing the need to confront our collective anger and hate. His memoir, Troublemakers: The Greatest Dog and Pony Show in Iraq, is a compelling exploration of the nature of war and its lasting impact on current events—a moral imperative to illuminate the foundations shaping our world today.

Fueled by a sense of duty and a desire for personal redemption, Stephen Russell shares the untold stories of his band of brothers, dispelling the notion of heroism and challenging the societal constructs that surround it. With brutal honesty and a refusal to conform to conventional narratives, this memoir offers an intimate portrayal of the humanity behind the war, exposing the complex emotions, moral dilemmas, and sacrifices faced by soldiers on the front lines. It presents a stark contrast between the harshness of combat and the illusion of patriotism, urging readers to confront the uncomfortable truths that lie beneath the surface of military culture.

Through vivid descriptions, poignant reflections, and unfiltered personal accounts, Troublemakers serves as a poignant reminder of the fragile nature of humanity, a tribute to unsung heroes, and a powerful critique of the societal systems they serve. He ends with a call to action for American culture and society to understand our complicity and responsibility in the Iraq war, and how this has shaped our current lives and events.

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