Shortlisted for the Speaker’s Young Authors Award

National bestselling true story of the first Canadian to volunteer to fight ISIS in Iraq

Readers of American Sniper and Unflinching will be riveted by the incredible true story of Dillon Hillier, a corporal with the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, who returned home from a tour in Afghanistan and started up a normal life. But when ISIS insurgents began attacking local populations in Iraq, and when attacks occurred on Canadian soil, such as the killings of Corporal Nathan Cirillo and Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent, long-time soldier Hillier felt he had to join the action. He sold his car, lied to his parents about where he was going and travelled to Iraq to fight against ISIS.

One Soldier is, as the National Post calls it, “a raw, personal memoir” that delves into the three months Dillon spent with the Kurdish army as it fought a series of battles against the Islamic State throughout northern Iraq. During his mission, Dillon saw combat, experienced life in the trenches, partnered with a former US Marine and had a bounty placed on his head. Readers will be inspired by the story of a Canadian soldier who put everything on the line because he “didn’t want to sit by and watch the world burn on CNN.”

Dillon Hillier was a corporal in the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, endured a tour in Afghanistan and fought ISIS in Iraq. He lives in Toronto.

Dillon Hillier's profile page

Russell Hillier is a teacher, with experience working on Parliament Hill and in the Army Reserves. He lives in Calgary.

Russell Hillier's profile page

• Young Authors Award

“The raw, personal memoir of a Canadian driven by conscience to stand against the inhumanity of terrorism.” — National Post

“What comes through in the book is the adrenaline of being on the front lines.” — The Globe and Mail

“In 2014, Dillon Hillier quit his job, bought a plane ticket to Iraq and took up arms against ISIS. His new book, One Soldier, reveals what it’s like to be one of the West’s first rogue fighters.” — Toronto Life

“A vivid and enlightening account of one Canadian’s role in a war most Canadians are only intermittently aware that our country has joined. A very rewarding read.” — Conrad Black, bestselling author of Rise to Greatness and A Matter of Principle