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Working the Kill Zone

Join Alex, an American mercenary, as he runs the roads and kicks in doors in Iraq, a seething cauldron of violence one year after the American invasion.

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Alex's job is...

to avoid car bombs, IED’s, ambushes, RPG’s, snipers… but what will he do when he can’t avoid them?

Recruited to make bombs

for the Islamic State, Haider, a humble Iraqi engineer who has been out of work for a year, struggles with the message from his God.

Based on actual events

Author William Craun uses his experience as a Army Ranger and independent contractor to give a completely unique view of what it was like to work security in the most dangerous place on earth.

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Working the Kill Zone

One year after the American invasion of Iraq, the country is a seething cauldron of violence.

Alex is a former U.S. Army Ranger who signs up with private military companies to work government contracts in the war zone. His antagonist, Haider, is a humble Iraqi engineer who has been out of work for a year when he is recruited to make bombs for the fledgling Islamic State. Run the most dangerous roads on earth and kick in doors with Alex, and journey with Haider as his scientific mind struggles with the message from his God.

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About the Author

William Craun

William Craun was a U.S. Army Airborne Ranger. Then, for fifteen years he worked in Iraq and Afghanistan for Private Military Companies (Custer Battles, Triple Canopy, Blackwater, MVM, Patriot Group International, and EODT) on contracts for DOS, DOD, CIA, and NSA.

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Reviews

"Thrilling book, difficult to put down.  Written by one who obviously experienced many of the situations encountered by Alex, the main character in the book.  The author has been there, done that."

Bill Bowler
Chief, State University of New York Police (Retired).

William Craun
2020-09-23T16:24:52+00:00

Bill Bowler
Chief, State University of New York Police (Retired).

"Thrilling book, difficult to put down.  Written by one who obviously experienced many of the situations encountered by Alex, the main character in the book.  The author has been there, done that."
“…rolls you through these highways of ragged vehicles and desperate people wanting to outlast the other guy for just one more day.”

Lee Craig, Florida

William Craun
2020-09-22T16:28:47+00:00

Lee Craig, Florida

“…rolls you through these highways of ragged vehicles and desperate people wanting to outlast the other guy for just one more day.”
“…makes the reader feel as if they were in the story.”

Moritz Mittermayor, Salzburg, Austria

William Craun
2020-09-22T16:28:23+00:00

Moritz Mittermayor, Salzburg, Austria

“…makes the reader feel as if they were in the story.”
"An excellent combination of suspense, romance, and military action. A rare view into the role of contractors in the middle east and their contribution. Also offers a better understanding of the radical Muslim beliefs. A really good read."

Jack Bowen

William Craun
2020-09-23T16:24:19+00:00

Jack Bowen

"An excellent combination of suspense, romance, and military action. A rare view into the role of contractors in the middle east and their contribution. Also offers a better understanding of the radical Muslim beliefs. A really good read."
“A fantastic collection of vignettes depicting the range of combat operations in Iraq. The tone is as real as it can get on the bonds of brotherhood challenged by fog of war, the dynamic tension between organizations, and the enemy always has a vote.”

Brigadier General Marianne Watson
US Army

William Craun
2021-05-10T16:48:23+00:00

Brigadier General Marianne Watson
US Army

“A fantastic collection of vignettes depicting the range of combat operations in Iraq. The tone is as real as it can get on the bonds of brotherhood challenged by fog of war, the dynamic tension between organizations, and the enemy always has a vote.”
“…provided all of the right ingredients - Action, Romance, and Brotherhood and the ending was great… I felt like I was there.”

Captain Mike McClane, U.S. Navy

William Craun
2020-09-22T16:28:04+00:00

Captain Mike McClane, U.S. Navy

“…provided all of the right ingredients - Action, Romance, and Brotherhood and the ending was great… I felt like I was there.”
“If you thought you understood the war in Iraq, think again. William Craun’s debut novel tells the story of America’s forgotten warriors, the private military contractors who laid down their lives for their friends in battles the U.S. government was too cowardly to fight.”

Kenneth R. Timmerman
NY Times best-selling author of The French Betrayal of America, and other books.

William Craun
2021-05-10T16:47:31+00:00

Kenneth R. Timmerman
NY Times best-selling author of The French Betrayal of America, and other books.

“If you thought you understood the war in Iraq, think again. William Craun’s debut novel tells the story of America’s forgotten warriors, the private military contractors who laid down their lives for their friends in battles the U.S. government was too cowardly to fight.”
“Working the Kill Zone is an enthralling, non-stop, and action-packed adventure. William Craun skillfully writes with evocative detail and transports the reader into the hectic world of being a mercenary in Iraq. A must read for any thrill-seeker who enjoys exploring the excitement and chaos of war.”

Christopher Watkins
Sniper, 3/75 Ranger Regiment, and author of Millennial Ranger

William Craun
2021-05-10T16:46:07+00:00

Christopher Watkins
Sniper, 3/75 Ranger Regiment, and author of Millennial Ranger

“Working the Kill Zone is an enthralling, non-stop, and action-packed adventure. William Craun skillfully writes with evocative detail and transports the reader into the hectic world of being a mercenary in Iraq. A must read for any thrill-seeker who enjoys exploring the excitement and chaos of war.”
“…realistic and believable…vivid and I felt as if I was there.”

Colonel Shauna Snyder, U.S. Army

William Craun
2020-09-16T20:11:43+00:00

Colonel Shauna Snyder, U.S. Army

“…realistic and believable…vivid and I felt as if I was there.”
“Great book! Working the Kill Zone is a vivid account of life on the cutting edge during the early days of the war in Iraq. The story is skillfully written, captivating, and the ending is unexpected and excellent. How much of the story is real? That’s hard to tell. If you’ve been there, you will recognize that these events happen. If you’ve never been there, you will feel like you are right there in the middle of all the insanity.”

Major General James Joseph
US Army

William Craun
2021-05-10T16:46:59+00:00

Major General James Joseph
US Army

“Great book! Working the Kill Zone is a vivid account of life on the cutting edge during the early days of the war in Iraq. The story is skillfully written, captivating, and the ending is unexpected and excellent. How much of the story is real? That’s hard to tell. If you’ve been there, you will recognize that these events happen. If you’ve never been there, you will feel like you are right there in the middle of all the insanity.”
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William Craun