Mercenaries, Gunslingers, and Outlaws: Two Years as a Security Contractor in Iraq [Hardcover]

A rollicking, riveting inside look at the life and times of a security contractor downrange. Kurtz navigates the story with perfection, doing a masterful job of showing that amid the uncertainty, the danger, and flat-out weirdness, he found a deep and profound meaningalong with the best and worst of humanity. Beautifully told, with humor and insight. This is one that you will read and reread with relish.  Susan Katz Keating, Owner and Publisher, Soldier of Fortune magazineA candid and multifaceted look at life as a security contractor in Iraq in the early years after the American invasion. Its not just a story of surviving IEDs and firefights while protecting American contractorsthough those moments are vividly recountedits also an exploration of the broader, often unexpected, experiences that defined the authors two and a half years in Iraq.Structured as a series of concise, self-contained chapters, the book captures a wide range of events and encounters: high-speed crashes, tense standoffs with Iraqi security forces, the ever-present uncertainty of knowing who to trust, and the toll of living in a warzonebut outside the protection of the militaryon contractors, clients, and locals alike. The focus isnt just on action but also on the everyday challenges and the strategies necessary to stay safe in such a dangerous and unpredictable environment.The book introduces the diverse people the author met through his work, from former Green Berets, British Royal Marines and South African commandos, through to Gurkhas, a former member of the French Foreign Legion, and even a Buddhist monk. There are stories of heroic, larger-than-life figures and of outlaws who came to Iraq because they didnt fit in anywhere else and ended up not fitting in there either. It also delves into the lives of Iraqi civilians, who offered glimpses of kindness and humanity amid the chaos. These stories provide readers with a nuanced and personal perspective on a challenging and complex lã’