Reviews

This is Sydney. Last Monday, when you presented in Mena, I won a copy of your book. It only took me one week to read it! I thought it was really good, two thumbs up! However, the ending was not what I anticipated. I wanted to see you grandfather go all the way to America, I wanted to see him meet his wife, I wanted to see his children, I wanted to see the story unfold all the way down to you. In other words I did not want it to stop! I think you ought to consider writing a sequel. Thank you Mr. Blubaugh for your commitment to God in writing good clean literature. I hope you and your family have a good Christmas and a Happy New Year.  Your fan, Sydney  

The title caught my attention and I had to buy this book! Russian heritage is near to my heart. My father in law has told many stories of his early childhood and how his parents lived in the ‘old’ country. I was quickly enthralled with the main character, Nathan Hertzfield, as he stuggles with an abrupt change in his life after being kidnapped at the hands of a Cossack soldier. And that’s just the first few pages! I was intriqued with the connection between Nathan Hertzfield and Tom Blubaugh. I hope there is a sequel!  M. A. Lengyel

This book can only be described as a rare gem. Truly a work of art! I couldn’t put it down. You won’t find another book like it on the shelf these days. I was caught up in Nathan’s life right from the first chapter. At the young age of 16 he was forced into the life of a Cossack soldier. Facing struggles that most of us couldn’t even imagine he held true to his upbringing and teachings in the face of adversity.   Salena Stormo

Kudos to Tom Blubaugh for carrying off this extended exploration into family history. I understand there wasn’t much actual material to work from, but he manages to tell a complete story with a believable arc and sympathetic characters. I can tell it was a labor of love.   J. B. Cheaney

Tom Blubaugh’s ”Night of the Cossack” held my attention from the beginning to end. The tale of Nathan Hertzfield as he grows to be a man all while enduring the separation from his family. Nathan finds that even in unwanted circumstances there is an opportunity to find trust, respect, an education and love. His story is one of hope and understanding. What a wonderful addition to a family library.   Mary Jo Tannehill

“Finished it. A page turner. I won’t share here so as not to spoil it for others, but a section in the latter part of the book brought back my own pleasant memories. When does the sequel get published?”  Steve Mills

I read your book and I did not want it to end. I wanted your character to set foot in boston and eventually even find his girl rachael. Maybe that story will be the Day of the Cossack….anyway I enjoyed the read and will be pushing your book to the younger folks in our church especially the young men. i liked the message of abstinence and self repect that was portrayed. I will get with you soon on the purchase of 10 of your books and hopefully more in the future. God Bless, Forrest Mcdaniel, Majestic Books

I just finished it. I generally don’t read fiction, but this book grabbed me from the beginning!! Also, understanding its relevance to your lineage made it have so much more weight. I loved it, and want to thank you for writing it!!! God Bless, my Brother. Michael McCoy

Just wanted to let you know what an exciting read your new book is. I was engaged from start to finish with your wonderful storeyteling and intriguing characters. It is a fascinating and transfixing odyssey of a young man’s journey through an extraordinary period in history. What happens next? I can’t wait for the sequel. Thank you. Thank you. I’ll be sharing it with my 10 year old grandson-he’ll love it. Diane Heitman

Tom Blubaugh unearths an intriguing part of Ukraine history by dropping us among the Cossacks. The author’s grandfather was a Russian Cossack soldier, yet this isn’t a biography. It’s a great example of great fiction good for anyone from teens to Grandma and Grandpa. I recommend it.   Sandra Adams

Captivated from the Introduction. The story of Nathan Hertzfield’s life is a brilliant account of how life’s events and circumstances grow us into who we become. I was instantly captured by the breathtaking events of Chapter 1 and then transported emotionally and visually through his life changing voyage. The unexpected curves and trials in Nathan’s life journey make the book hard to set down. Excellent!  David Cook

My name is Trevor Hill and I am 12 years old. When I received this book I was excited to read a new book and I was grateful that you wanted me to tell you what I think. This book is actually one of the very best books I have ever read. I am not just saying this. I started the book right when I received it and it is fantastic. Right when I started I could not stop. I read for 3 hours straight and finished it. I love all those surprises that you put in this book. This book captured my attention right in the beginning and kept it the whole time. I love all the descriptive details in the book that gives me a great picture in my mind of what that would look like. This book was very interesting also because of all the facts that were put into it. It made me think of all the research that you had to do to write this book. It was a fantastic book that was attention grabbing.  There was nothing at all I didn’t like about this book.  I loved how no matter what happened to Nathan he always fought through it an found a solution to any problem.  This book should be made into a movie.  I am going to recommend this to anybody and everybody.  When I go to school I’m going to tell all my friends how awesome this book is.  I also want to thank you for sending me this book and giving me the opportunity to tell you what I think about this great book.  Please tell me when you come out with any new books. You are a great author.  Trevor Hill.

NIGHT OF THE COSSACK brings history to life in the imagination of a man who longed to know his grandfather – from Russia. Unfortunately, silence all too often suppressed truth about hardship and injustice and many stories were never told of bygone days in that land far away. Although written as fiction, I believe Tom’s ancestors, particularly his grandfather, would have been honored to know their injustice was finally exposed, even from a supposed scenario. Drama is delivered by Tom Blubaugh’s book. He holds the reader hostage as he portrays the amazing character of one Cossack soldier in the midst of insurmountable circumstances.  Carlene Withers

Growing up and leaving home is exciting–but for Nathan, the challenge of living on his own is sudden, shocking and dangerous. Taken from the home and loved ones he tries to defend, Nathan proves himself as a man, learning who he can trust–and most importantly, learning who he is and choosing what he will become.

We live the excitement and adventure as he rides with Cossacks, shoots, hunts, survives danger and loss, experiences betrayal and life on the run, to discover himself and become the man he was always meant to be.

Good values, good adventure, and good outcome–a wonderful book.  D. Kukal

When soldiers raid Nathan’s village, a Cossack whisks Nathan away and forces him to join the band of fighters. Based on the true story of the author’s grandfather, Night of the Cossack follows Nathan’s journey into the Cossack army and through several twists, including betrayal, escape, and love.

This book was very informative. I knew almost nothing about that period of Russia’s history. I’ve noticed other reviewers recommend this book for young adult readers. I have to agree. The hero is younger, and the story is extremely clean, very appropriate for younger readers.  Naomi Rawlings

I don’t really write long reviews. But I will say that I really enjoyed this book. It was a wonderful young adult adventure about a young boy who was kidnapped by a cossack soldier and forced to fight for the cossacks. Though this was a young adult book as an adult I still enjoyed it. I finished in two readings I could not put it down.  D. J. Malone

This book drew me into the story and into a relationship with the characters almost immediately. Nathan is taken from his home and family during a Cossack raid, and he is thrown into a world completely unknown to him, even having to change his name. The people he is with are frightening and threatening. He complies to save his life, though it is extremely painful for him. The adventures and circumstances he endures are hard to imagine for a young man, but he has a sense of reasoning and maturity about him that is endearing. He faces many fears and is strong and brave beyond what most adults could handle. Leaving his family and denouncing who he is at such a young age makes you feel stronger inside just knowing his story. This story will make you want to know in more detail about your own family and background. I would recommend this read for adults and young people alike. It is a book that is hard to put down once you start it. You will feel the emotions that go on inside Nathan from the very beginning. Almost like you were there with him.  Phyllis Prentice

Tom! I finally finished the book. What I was most impressed with was my ability to visualize what was going on–I haven’t been able to do that with a book in years!  Samuel Gearhart

I read your book IN ONE SITTING! It really is a page turner. Congrats. Marga said, “You mean you’ve finished it already?” I’ll admit, though, I noticed some growth in your writing style as the pages turned. In the first few chapters I noticed short-choppy, sentences. But as it progressed I saw a flowing form coming to life and made it hard for me to put it down. I attributed that to your critiques. Good job, ol’ man! Sequel? Movie?  Bill Larson