M.J Politis / MJ Politis
In the chaos of war, one man’s idealism becomes both his greatest strength and his deepest vulnerability.In the blood-soaked fields and frostbitten trenches of World War I, Stefan Denosevich-a kind-hearted, idealistic Ukrainian Cossack-serves as a medic, horseman, and reluctant soldier. To his fellow troops,he is part healer, part morale officer, and part fool-too good-hearted for his own safety, too naïve to see the danger in his unwavering belief that kindness can tame both man and beast. But to Achilles, the captured Austrian warhorse who becomes his steadfast companion, Stefan is something rarer still: a human worth trusting.Through the mud, smoke, and bitter politics of the Eastern Front, Stefan faces a world where loyalty is negotiable, survival is uncertain, and the line between heroism and folly blurs with every decision. Russian officers, Ukrainian comrades, Austrian foes, and civilian refugees cross his path, each revealing different shades of honor, betrayal, and self-interest. In the middle of it all, Stefan clings to a vision-an impossible dream of unity, justice, and peace that might yet survive the war.Told with grit, dark humor, and unflinching historical detail, Scammer Cossack Idealist is more than a war novel. It is a portrait of a man caught between centuries-old Cossack traditions and the mechanized brutality of modern warfare. It explores the strange kinship between men and horses, the private bargains struck in the shadows of battle, and the stubborn resilience of hope when the world demands cynicism.From the front lines to the quiet corruption of a homecoming village, Stefan’s journey forces him-and those who know him-to confront the uncomfortable truth: in a war built on selective compassion, idealism may be the rarest and most dangerous weapon of all.Perfect for readers of historical fiction that blends action, cultural depth, and character-driven storytelling, this is a novel for anyone who believes that even in the darkest times, there are still those who choose to fight-not just for victory, but for the humanity worth returning to.
