Be A Part Of Art And History - Help Publish Lucky Man.

If I had to describe myself in one word, it would be "Poet". That  is my true nature. If I had to describe myself in two words, they would be "Lucky Man". My dispatches from Donbass have been described by writers and editors as a mix of Ernest Hemingway and Jack London with a dash of Hunter S. Thompson.  Now, I need some financial support to publish my book about what it was like to come 10,000 kilometers to help defend people I had never met before, underdogs in a real war in Russian Winter, fighting against an army of cut-throat nazis.

Fighting against REAL nazis, like these...

This book is not a typical war story, it is a personal experience of war and life, from a poetic, political and philosophical perspective.  Yes, I was in some of the hottest positions on the Donbass Front, during some of the hardest fighting in 2014 and 2015, and yes, war changes a person. But I saw much more than death and destruction - I also saw courage, determination, generosity and love.

War is a crucible that exposes a person's genuine essence, for better or for worse. I saw other people's true characters for the first time, and also saw and showed my own. Here, in this war, I have found the best people I have ever known, and through sharing hardship, sacrifice and sorrow with them, I have become a better person.  That is the story I want to tell in my book, Lucky Man, the story of people like these -

(Author, front, center, with cowboy hat.)

I still continue to work in Donbass, as a war correspondent and a human aid volunteer. I don't get paid, and work 12 to 14 hours almost every day. For me, a "day off" is when I only work 8 or 10, but those days are rare. My main work is fund-raising. Last year, I personally raised over $45,000, and used less than $8,000 for my own expenses. The rest went to human aid projects here in Donbass -

School supplies, medicine, food, clothing, repairs to homes and schools bombed by Ukrainian Army, support and medical care for wounded defenders and civilians. A significant portion of the funds I raise from the sale of "Lucky Man" will go to continue the human aid work I have been doing, allowing me to support worthy and needed projects, without the need for constant fund-raising campaigns.  By contributing to this campaign, you help me to publish my book while also continuing my human aid work.

What We Need & What You Get -

$9,000 - Lucky Man will be self-published in E-Book, Audio and paperback form. There will be English and Russian versions.  The E-Book and paper versions will be approximately 400 pages, with about 40 photographs. The audio book will be around 10 hours.

$2,000 for proof-reading, editing, and formatting for E-Book and paper editions.

$2,000 for translation for Russian edition

$2,000 for first publishing run of 500 books, glossy stock, paperback, printed in Donetsk.

$1,000 for studio recording and editing Audio book.

$2,000 for 3 months living expenses.

I plan to have the editing, formatting, translation and audio book recording finished by the end of August, and everything published before the end of October.

Proceeds from the book will be used to continue my journalism and human aid work.

PERKS FOR CONTRIBUTORS -

EVERYONE WHO CONTRIBUTES $25 OR MORE WILL RECEIVE A COMPLIMENTARY COPY OF LUCKY MAN IN THEIR CHOICE OF E-BOOK OR AUDIO FORM.

$100 CONTRIBUTION- Vostok Battalion shoulder patch, DPR pin, St. George ribbon.

$200 CONTRIBUTION- All above, PLUS - DPR flag or T-shirt.

$250 CONTRIBUTION - All above PLUS DPR flag AND T-shirt. All who contribute $250 or more will also be listed by name (if you wish) as Patrons on a commemorative page in the paper copies of Lucky Man.

$500 - All above PLUS autographed paper copy of Lucky Man, hand-written letter of thanks and a personal memento from the author.

In the event the goal is not reached, I will continue my writing and human aid work, finish the book as soon as possible, and publish only in English, and only in E-Book and audio form. 

I do continue to work as a war correspondent on the front lines, and could be called back into the Army in case of a major attack on the DPR.  I live a fairly dangerous life, but no one's life, anywhere, is without risk. I take precautions, and I am, after all, a "Lucky Man".

For well over 2 years I have worked here to make a better world, and to defend our new Republic and its citizens.  There has been very little accurate reporting about this war and the people of Donbass by Western mainstream media, but I have done my part to get the real story out, to people in the West, and to the world. I have produced hundreds of videos, written scores of articles, and appeared on TV and radio from Alaska to Australia. My work as a soldier, correspondent and human aid volunteer has touched thousands of lives and made a real difference in the world. This book is just the continuation of that work. My work speaks for itself, and will continue to do so. Join me. Let's make it our  work!

With your help and support, I can publish my testament to history, humanity and redemption. The story I have to tell is not just about war or politics or adventure, it is about how I changed my life and found a new home, happiness and meaning, by giving away everything I had, and by taking a chance at a long shot that paid off better than I ever could have imagined. Courage is the key to happiness, and virtue is its own reward. Be a part of the story by helping me tell it.

If you can't afford to support this project financially, please share this project with your friends and on your social media pages. Or if you know anyone with professional editing or publishing skills who might like to be involved, please ask them to contact me at: russellbbentley@gmail.com