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.

Perfect narrator for this wonderful story!

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

Tthe storyline was imaginative and interesting and the narrator did such a wonderful job. There were so many different characters and accents ( English-Midwestern, British English, Russian, a Slavic language, Southern English and more). There were a couple of women who were minor characters and he performed those well also.

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

The Cowboys-I don't know if it is a book but I saw the movie when I was young and this book reminded me of the movie because it was about a bunch of people who were strangers and distrustful of each other at the beginning of a cattle drive but because of the events that occur during the journey, by the end of the trip the men were friends as well as comrades. ( forgive the play on words, the cowboys never become Russian but they DO fight on the same side)

Which scene was your favorite?

So many! I enjoyed how they got the cattle off the boat when they arrived in Russia and refused to pay a bribe to the official and I enjoyed reading about the war games they held and the cowboys attempts to participate.

Any additional comments?

I was so impressed with the narrator and I think it really complimented the book. This isn't your typical Western and I was surprised how much I enjoyed listening to it and plan to play it for my sons when we go on a long road trip next month. The language is what might be called salty-very typical of the time and of the characters-but nothing most pre-teens haven't already heard. There is nothing else in the book that would embarrass anyone other than the language used. I don't say this often, but this was an amazing story-

An all time favorite of mine

To me, this is one of those books I revisit every other year or so. Having just listened to it for the first time I was quite pleased with the narrator, and his different voices for the characters. As I was coming of age, I can identify with Levi and the way he looked up to those tough honest men such as Shad or Rostov. I love westerns and the cowboy way of life. This is a great read, I highly recommend!

A timeless classic

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

Yes! I rarely read or listen to something twice, but this story is worth a second listen. I first read the book when I was about 12 years old and I loved it then. When I saw it on Audible I decided to listen to it. I expected to be disappointed as usually old books and movies do not stand the test of time (or the change in age of the reader.) But this one did, I loved it as much or more than the first reading 40+ years later!

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

Any great coming of age or western. It is actually my favorite of both.

Have you listened to any of Phil Gigante’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, I have not, but I thoroughly enjoyed listening to him and would gladly do so again.

Bought on a whim

Where does The Cowboy and the Cossack rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This was the first Western I have read in decades and I was very pleased. This was what I used to call a page-turner back when I had time to actually read books. The characters were memorable and the performance was great. I am definitely going to look for more books in the Nancy Lust series (or whatever it's called).

Any additional comments?

I would love to know if anything like this ever happened in history (cowboys herding longhorns across Russia).

Yee Haw, What a Great Read!

Nancy Pearl says in the introduction that she hates the expression about a book that "transcends it's genre," but says she has to use it for this book. I certainly see why. I am not a fan of Westerns, but I'd love this book no matter what genre it was in. Why hasn't this "novel" concept been made into a movie? I loved the story, and as someone who considers herself well-read and demanding of quality, I have to admit that I don't know if this book is well-written or not--all I know is that I was so engrossed I couldn't put it down, I sometimes laughed out loud, and I loved and grieved with the characters, felt moved by events and even held my breath with the tension. The narrator was surely one of the best to make all those characters come alive. I already miss them.

good men

What did you love best about The Cowboy and the Cossack?

The development of the characters. I felt the author was just right in making us like the hero and why we were to like them

Who was your favorite character and why?

You learn to like or at least understand all of the characters well, even the bad ones. It is a coming of age story and you appreciate how each experience is important. I liked the young Russian girl and the emotional bond, but really all

What about Phil Gigante’s performance did you like?

The way he made us know and like each of the characters. He was able to give each character a voice and a personality.

If you could rename The Cowboy and the Cossack, what would you call it?

A boy becomes a man

Genuine Classic

A timeless classic. The narrator rises to the challenge of multiple characters and accents. Well done all around.

Absolutely awesome!

Greatly exceeded expectations, compelling story, rich characters, evocative lands abc non-stop adventure! Great discovery of new author and very excellent performer! Five stars in every respect!!!!!

Solid, good story

Any additional comments?

This story rolls along with sprinklings of philosophy and human interactions sprinkled so unobtrusively and inoffensively sprinkled in. AND it is expertly performed! What a pleasure!

Strong believable story. . .

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

Fell in love with the characters . . .descriptions were clear and moving . . paid little or no notice to 'happy ever after' . . . BUT remains in my memory as a story about MY friends . . Loved it . . .