The Cowboy and the Cossack

Nancy Pearl's Book Lust Rediscoveries

By: Clair Huffaker, Nancy Pearl - introduction

Narrated by: Phil Gigante

Length: 12 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

Fifteen Montana cowboys and 500 longhorns are embarking on a one-of-a-kind Wild West adventure: a cattle drive across 1,000 miles of Siberia. The clash of cultures between East and West, American six shooter and Russian saber, begins immediately when a band of Cossacks arrives to escort them to their destination. Cowboys and Cossacks must work together or they’ll never survive the journey, which includes a meeting with the warrior Genghis Kharlagawl and his army of bloodthirsty Tartars. The code of the cowboy and the credo of the Cossack offer different measures of manhood - but honor and courage are the same in any language when a common enemy must be faced.

Book Lust Rediscoveries is a series devoted to reprinting some of the best (and now out of print) novels originally published from 1960 to 2000. Each book is personally selected by NPR commentator and Book Lust author Nancy Pearl and includes an introduction by her, as well as discussion questions for book groups and a list of recommended further reading.

©1973 Clair Huffaker (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Amazing cowboy story

I for one have always been a fan of the "Western". I read them as a kid and only quit when I couldn't find them any more, other than the more short and shallow predictable paperbacks that are out there now. Somehow, I missed this one when it was written, and I'm so glad it was resurrected by Nancy Pearl and then produced by Audible. Thank you.

This Western is anything but predicable. You know the premise from the Audible summary; fifteen cowboys show up in Russia and then start a cattle drive of longhorn cows and bulls. These are not steers being driven to market but breeding stock; which are much more difficult animals than castrated and fattened steers. Indeed, the herd almost takes on its own personality as the story progresses.

Our cowboys of course meet up with fifteen Cossacks and together they begin a very long trail drive to deliver this herd to the village that bought it. Adventure ensues. Adventure which includes huge wolves, Siberian tigers, and bloodthirsty Tarters as highlights. Tarters apparently, are the Russian/Siberian equivalent of our "Indians".

As I listen, hours fly by. Figurative pages are turned, and turned, and turned. I had a very hard time even taking a break; though it's a very long book.

It's all told through the eyes of a young drover on his first long cattle drive, and so it's also a "coming of age" story. And it is an excellent story, well written with a good plot and a great narrator. I loved it and recommend it heartily.

NOSTROVIA OR NA ZDOROVIE

WHEN THERE'S ONLY ONE DECISION, THAT DECISION IS ALWAYS RIGHT
This is a great story and a great western. American Cowboys (WE SPEAK AMERICAN, THEY CALL IT ENGLISH) take a boat with over 500 cattle to Siberia. The action starts right from the beginning when they have to drive the cattle into the cold ocean and swim them to shore. A group of Cossacks, meet them to escort them several hundred miles inland. The Americans are led by a rough and tough leader, who is used to getting his way. The Russians are led by a rough and tough leader, who is used to getting his way. These two don't agree on anything and you can cut the tension with a knife. Along the way they have to fight Tatars, Russian troops, wolves, tigers and Imperial Cossacks.

LEVI: I WAS NAMED AFTER A PAIR OF PANTS
Levi is the main character who idolizes his boss, but he starts to idolize the Russian leader, which leads to problems since the two don't get along. Levi is writing in his old age about his adventures. The story is exciting, beautiful and different.

SOMETIMES YOUR HEART CAN GET SOME PLACE BEFORE THE REST OF YOU CAN.
In the story the Russian explains chess, the best way I have ever heard. He also tells a story about swans. If you are not teary eyed over the swan story, than your hollow. Did you know Siberian Tigers can get over 1,000 pounds?

THAT'S WHAT WERE TELLING YOU NOW
Phil does a great job. Lots of characters and they are all distinct and seem so real.

AYEA

Really liked this one

What made the experience of listening to The Cowboy and the Cossack the most enjoyable?

I liked the unexpected happenings in the story and the development of characters it was just very enjoyable.

Any additional comments?

It would have been nice to have written this book with out the cursing it may have given it some realism but I feel I have to be careful who I let listen to it, I also think it could have been just as enjoyable if cleaned up.

It's a foul-mouthed, tender, wild ride

Would you consider the audio edition of The Cowboy and the Cossack to be better than the print version?

I didn't Read this book

What other book might you compare The Cowboy and the Cossack to and why?

I listened to a book called Take Me WithYou. It's about this man who takes two boys who he doesn't even know on a road trip at their fathers request. Their father is a drunk and the man taking them on the road trip gave them a good example of a good man. It change their lives. The leaders of the cowboys and of the cossacks in the subject book could also be seen as examples to rise to by the men they were leadimg.

Any additional comments?

This is a pretty old Book about cowboys written by a woman. I don't know what The appeal was to me. I had this on my wish list for over a year, and I kept looking at it. Maybe part of the appeal was to read something older that was less tainted by what appears to me to be a more selfish and vulgar and hectic Zeitgeist of the current day. I was not disappointed. These two groups of men were of different nations and, upbringings and were instinctively suspicious of each other, but given the chance, they came to work together and to befriend each other in spite of their cultural differences. The story moved right along and had a lot of well described adventure to it. The author allowed us to feel the strain of the people of the Russian nation of the period, portraying them sympathetically as humans stuck in a bad situation. I think this tale may be a little naive, but I like it this way. I liked that their heads didn't Explode when they disagreed. It's a foul-mouthed, tender, wild ride of a book.

Unexpextedly outstanding

Wow! What a great read. Strong, excellent characters. Also, strong, excellent philosophy. I'll look for it in hardback as I would love to hae it for my shelf.

Interestingly different cowboy story.

Any additional comments?

I enjoy reading about both Russia and Cowboys. How do you get a heard of cattle off a ship when there's no dock available? Cowboys swapping hats with Cossacks... what's not to like.

A pleasant surprise.

The performance was helpful for distinguishing between characters for the socially inept. The story was valuable and poignant for showing a positive relationship between two groups of people worlds apart and the common ground that can be found between men of different stripes. A gem I'm glad I found.

One of my long time favorites .

This book is one of my long time favorites and a friend I come to visit.

absolutely unique, charming and still very real

Would you listen to The Cowboy and the Cossack again? Why?

yes. To go back into that world and share it with the characters.

Any additional comments?

This is a unique combination of genres and one I do not expect to see again. Very well done.

Worth it

A wonderful story, makes you laugh and cry, in a genre I don't normally tred. I did skip the intro though...