Taras Bulba is a historical tale of the Ukrainian Cossacks in an earlier age, when they lived as fierce, free warriors on the steppe. The old Cossack Taras brings his two educated sons home and takes them to the Sich, the Cossack camp, to learn the soldier's life. From there the story follows campaigns, loyalties and the pull between love, duty and brotherhood. It is written in a bold, epic manner and celebrates Cossack courage, though it also reflects the prejudices of its time.