'The 'Stan' by Kevin Knodell and David Axe with illustrations by Blue Delliquanti is a series of 17 illustrated nonfiction stories from the recent conflict in Afghanistan.

The stories are from people who live in Afghanistan and American soldiers who were in the country. There are stories of diplomats and soldiers embedded with locals. There are ex-soldiers and soldiers who defused bombs. There are people whose lives changed due to helping and how they had to change their lives.

The stories are all fairly short, but still really interesting, and help tell the story of a long and ongoing conflict. The art by Blue Delliquanti really works to tell these personal stories.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Myrick Marketing & Media LLC, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

I really appreciated this graphic collection of first person narratives from U.S. soldiers. They remind me of the incredible sacrifice these men and women make and the physical and psychological toll of their peacekeeping efforts.
These vignettes are quick flashes, reminiscent of the IUDs of modern warfare. They are unfinished stories that leave the reader slightly unsettled, wanting a resolution or a happier ending.
Powerful and important.

Most people, in their day to day lives, in the US, have forgotten that we are still at war in Afganistan. We still have soldiers over there. There is still fighting going on.

This book is not one long story about one solider over there. This is a collection of many stories.

There are stories of the children who get shot, by accident.
<img class="alignnone wp-image-783 size-full" src="http://www.reyes-sinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Screen-Shot-2018-07-25-at-8.38.42-AM.png" alt="killing civilians" />

There are the stories of the women who sign up to fight.

<img class="alignnone wp-image-782 size-full" src="http://www.reyes-sinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Screen-Shot-2018-07-25-at-8.41.03-AM.png" alt="Women signing up" />

And there are the stories of the children born in reguee camps, to people that helped the Americans, but can't get into America.

<img class="alignnone wp-image-781 size-full" src="http://www.reyes-sinclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Screen-Shot-2018-07-25-at-8.51.00-AM.png" alt="refugees" />

Each story is about five or six pages long, and tells one story. But taken all together, you get the story of the people over there. Of civilians giving their food to tired soldiers. Of translators, who can not go home again. And of soldiers who have grown numb to the killing.

Well written, moving, good collection of stories. Highly recommended.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

A graphic novel that consists of a series of stories based on actual experiences in Afghanistan. The illustrations have an interesting surrealistic quality. The writing, while sparse, is impactful and holds your interest.

I feel that I don't know enough about the war in Afghanistan to truly appreciate this, but one thing is for certain, the bravery of our servicemen and women is certainly captured in this book. I liked that it gave many different perspectives and stories.

This graphic novel has a decent story and the artwork is okay. Nothing for our library, but I'll recommend it via ILL.