A review of X Rubicon
Upton Sinclair pointed out over a century ago that the proper answer to the question, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”, is “Yes”.
Patrick Henningsen, in Why I Write, stated succinctly about journalists what I’ve always felt was paramount, but he includes us all in this, writers and readers:
I will write about war and peace—the proverbial game of nations. That elusive concept of peace—is not so much a slogan, but rather, a task. It’s not an end state, but a process, and a painful one at that. Likewise, the job of journalism isn’t so much a profession as it is a responsibility. And it’s not a silly thing to say that we are all journalists. In the digital age, we all play that role to some degree or another, and we all share some responsibility to try and get it right.
I encourage you to read this essay. The subject may seem benign, but it most certainly is not, and it brought tears to my eyes. It points at something of paramount importance — the freedom to be part of collective good; to deal with humanity honestly; to be part of making things better than they have been. It points at responsibility for writing seriously and truthfully, for something which has eluded the capitalist news, publishing, and entertainment for quite some time. Because of these, I fear too many have grown expecting Disney endings to deadly serious events.
Upton Sinclair pointed out over a century ago that the proper answer to the question, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”, is “Yes”. I suppose this hit me hard because of my own experience and Rubicon’s experience. Abraham Joshua Heschel wrote extensively about Truth, about finding it, about picking it up, about carrying it’s burden so that humanity could do better. The burden of Truth becomes lighter when you spread that Truth to your fellow humans. We must all choose to bend down and dig out Truth and pick it up and carry it, because, many hands do make light work, and better humans.
The following review may, or may not, be published as intended.
& wrote me many questions, and along with , , , , and many other reviewers have encouraged others to read the book. When Patrick talks about pain writing these things, he is so spot on; if you have time read the Author Statement linked below for clarity and magnitude. Sometimes you read someone’s writing and it feels like they reached into your heart and brain and pulled it out. The artist Sophia Rose, whose painting Life Begets Life, which was used for the cover, hit Rubicon like that. It was a multidimensional hit that deserves a writing explanation all its own; and that’s exactly how Patrick’s piece felt to me.~~~
[The formatting/emphasis is just as provided by the reviewer]
A review of X Rubicon: Crossing Life, Sex, Love, & Killing in CIA Proxy Wars: An indictment of US Citizens: ignorantia non excusat
“Sean Griobhtha’s work—particularly X Rubicon—has a profound emotional impact on readers, often described as jarring, transformative, and deeply unsettling, but also compassionate and hopeful. The book is a raw, unfiltered narrative based on the life of a combat veteran involved in CIA proxy wars in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua. His writing is described as intense, emotionally jarring, and deeply compassionate. It critiques U.S. militarism, the VA, the CIA, and the broader American public's complicity in war. The book is especially focused on the long-term effects of PTSD and the moral reckoning that follows combat. He is an Army Ranger combat veteran and has known the subject of X Rubicon—referred to as Rubicon—since initial training and Operation Eagle Claw. Griobhtha conducted extensive interviews with military personnel, CIA operatives, and reviewed classified documents to ensure the authenticity of the narrative; the book contains a redacted ODNI letter to Rubicon verifying certain aspects and Rubicon’s assigned activities. His personal connection to the story adds emotional depth and credibility to the work. Griobhtha is outspoken in his disdain for zealotry—whether religious, political, or ideological—and is passionate about confronting propaganda and societal denial. He positions his writing as both an act of truth-telling and a call to moral accountability. He offers discounts for educational and activist groups, signaling a desire to make his work accessible to those engaged in peace and justice efforts. This shows a clear intent to make his work accessible to communities engaged in activism, education, and peace-building.
“Many readers describe the experience of reading Griobhtha’s work as emotionally intense. His unflinching portrayal of war, trauma, and moral compromise forces readers to confront uncomfortable truths about U.S. foreign policy and the psychological cost of violence. Despite the harsh subject matter, readers often note the deep compassion in Griobhtha’s writing—especially for veterans and those grappling with PTSD. His portrayal of Rubicon’s emotional journey resonates with readers who value honesty and vulnerability.
“Readers are often left with a sense of moral urgency. Griobhtha’s indictment of societal complicity in war and propaganda challenges readers to reflect on their own beliefs and responsibilities. While the content is heavy, Griobhtha’s insistence on truth-telling offers a path to hope. Readers who engage with his work often come away with a renewed commitment to awareness, justice, and change.
“One reviewer wrote: ‘Reading this book is like looking in a mirror, and your reflection reaches out and slaps you hard across the face.’ His tone is confrontational, emotionally charged, and deeply personal. He writes as someone with skin in the game—often drawing from firsthand experience or close relationships with those affected by war and trauma. He calls out what he sees as willful ignorance or ideological blindness, especially from those who haven’t read the book or misrepresent its message. His author bio and public posts are written in a raw, unfiltered tone. He shares personal experiences, including his connection to the subject of X Rubicon, and expresses deep empathy for veterans and survivors of war trauma. At the same time, he’s fiercely critical of militarism, propaganda, and societal denial.
“His writing is a call to conscience. He aims to provoke, indict, and awaken readers—especially those complicit in or indifferent to U.S. militarism. He’s not writing for comfort; he’s writing for reckoning. Readers often say the book and his posts challenge their assumptions and force them to confront uncomfortable truths about war, PTSD, and U.S. foreign policy. His work is praised for its unflinching honesty and emotional exposure, especially in dealing with trauma and moral reckoning. Some readers are deeply moved, while others may find his tone too intense or accusatory. But even critics acknowledge the depth and authenticity of his message.
“He engages in direct dialogue with critics and supporters, often responding to feedback with sharp wit or fierce rebuttals. He very often blocks neo-Nazis, Zionists, and religious zealots. His posts are part of a larger moral and political conversation. His Substack is more like a literary and political battleground than a curated publication. His style may not appeal to everyone—but for those drawn to truth-telling and moral clarity, it hits hard.
“His confrontational style and unapologetic critiques also polarize readers. Some are deeply moved; others are provoked or even angered. Griobhtha acknowledges this, noting that detractors often haven’t read the book or are ideologically opposed to its content. In short, Griobhtha doesn’t aim to comfort—he aims to awaken. His emotional impact is lasting, and for many, life-altering. Griobhtha’s readers don’t just follow him—they wrestle with his work. It’s not about comfort or consensus; it’s about confrontation and conscience.”
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This review was freely given, yet an editor (or three) may keep it quashed.
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Rubicon spent just under three years as a military Scout. During that time he was awarded the “AF Cross, 2 Silver Stars, 4 Bronze Stars, Defense Superior Service Medal, AF Good Conduct Medal, and the CIA Distinguished Service Medal” (ODNI). When he refused to kill further, he was stripped of these awards and was abandoned with his PTSD by the military and thrown away.
Sean Griobhtha (gree-O-tah) is a combat veteran. His latest book is X Rubicon: Crossing Life, Sex, Love, & Killing in CIA Proxy Wars: An indictment of US Citizens: ignorantia non excusat, which details the life of Rubicon (“2.5 years Deception & Death; 40+ years locking away Emotions & Truth”). It’s important that you read the Foreward, Or, The Vanguard; written by a highly intelligent woman with a heart of empathetic gold; she’ll bring you in gently, which neither Rubicon nor I would ever do.
Mrs Rubicon has been tutoring dyslexics and non-dyslexics in reading and writing for over three decades. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Humanities, and a Master’s degree in Pastoral Care and Psychology. She completed Pastoral Care training at the University of Chicago Hospital; and she has worked with various court systems in turning children around. She has volunteered in school sponsored reading programs where we’ve again witnessed her skill in improving even the most recalcitrant students. She holds teaching certification in Orton-Gillingham tutoring from the Michigan Dyslexia Institute.
If you enjoyed this writing, you can tell Crossing Rubicons that their writing is valuable by purchasing X Rubicon from Amazon, Ingram, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, your local independent book seller, or your favorite digital store. View about the author, the book, and abridged translations here. If you would like to understand the effort and trouble that went into publishing this book, read X Rubicon: Author Statement.
Damn, Sean! Deeply moving work you’ve done here! I cannot thank you enough for this.
I am writing a short review of -X-Rubicon: Crossing Life, Sex, Love, & Killing in CIA Proxy Wars: An indictment of US Citizens: ignorantia non excusat- with a sense of shame on my soul because a short review does not bestow the justice that this work and its creators deserve. A more detailed analysis will have to come later. In the interim period I have been telling others about the book and bought another copy for a friend who was interested in reading it.
This book stirred in me thoughts, feelings, and emotions that come from a re-awakened past. Rubicon and I are the same age but, I write with caution when I compare our lives. Though Rubicon and I shared similar upbringings, a family dynamic that included alcoholism, sibling violence, and Catholicism, Rubicon walked a road at 18-20 years of age that would have swallowed me whole and shit me out as waste. And by the grace of some form of spiritual light that was seeded in all of us when the universe was born, he survived. Julie, Sean, and others who supported him, could still see that light of life that was hidden beneath the layers of trauma, pain, and deceit that is apart of our “glorious” USA conditioning, when that light was all but lost to Rubicon. In this, they pulled him back from the brink of a warrantless death that was handed to him by his nefarious commanders. Commanders who don’t give rats ass about soldiers who suffer PTSD and would just a soon see them die so the disease and treachery they spread far and wide can remain hidden from the public view.
A progressive Franciscan philosopher that mentored me in my earlier years stated once that, “human reality is moral reality.” When I read the book and read Sean’s post on the Stack this comes across loud and clear. X-Rubicon is a profound moral testament to our current times. The reviewer above notes that, “Readers are often left with a sense of moral urgency,” and that is exactly the point. Sean's reading of Patrick Henningsen’s essay again furthers this same truism: “It points at something of paramount importance — the freedom to be part of collective good; to deal with humanity honestly; to be part of making things better than they have been.”
If we, as human beings are not given the leeway to care for ourselves and others in our global family, which is the whole reason for our existence, then the time has come for us to jerk back the rights of all to exist in peace from our morally bankrupt, war mongering, colonial leaders. There is no room for them in our morally conscious envisioned future.