Reader Views

Five Stars (out of Five)

I was pleasantly surprised to find such a well-written, historical novel. The author did an excellent job in keeping historical facts accurate and interweaving such an interesting story in the mix.

Lt. Stephen Morrison, adopted son of the late Congressman Morrison, has come a long way from his roots as a Russian immigrant and son of a Rabbi. Because of his Jewish background, he was constantly challenged while he was growing up and anger lives very close to the surface with Morrison. He has put his emotions to good use and is fast tracked into a great career as a Naval Officer.

When President Theodore Roosevelt learns that the Russian Tsar is going to sabotage peace negotiations between Russia and Japan, he approaches Stephen Morrison for assistance. Morrison agrees to leave his wife and go to Russia with an English spy to overthrow the Tsar. His wife, family and co-workers have no idea what his real mission is and think that he is going to work on a new ship with the English Navy. The mission is only supposed to last a few weeks, and Morrison is looking forward to quickly resuming his life as husband and Naval Officer.

The only twist in Morrison's plan is that if they are ever found out, the US and England will deny any involvement. And as fate would have it, Morrison gets captured and is sentenced to death, but through a remarkable twist is able to assume a new identity and ends up in a Russian Labor Camp. Through his incredible skills, he is able to move up the ranks and becomes "Moryak" which means sailor in Russian. As Moryak, he gets noticed by Lenin's group and is able to join them and assist the Allies during World War I.

If you love historical novels with a twist, then you will love this novel. But be advised, once you pick up "Moryak" by Lee Mandel, you will have a hard time putting it down. It makes for a great read on a cold winter night sitting by a warm fire.

Midwest Book Review

Five Stars (out of Five)

An intriguing spy thriller using the chaos of early twentieth Russia as an excellent setting.

When trying to survive and complete one's mission, one may do the unthinkable. "Moryak" tells the story of Stephen Morrison, an American sent into Russia to remove the Tsar from power at the turn of the twentieth century. Caught up in Russia's own political turmoil, Morrison's job gets only more and more complicated as the years of his mission roll on. "Moryak" is an intriguing spy thriller using the chaos of early twentieth century Russia as an excellent setting.

The Grog Ration

Five Stars (out of Five)

"Mandel's prose is written with aplomb and zeal. And it is clear for any reader that the author is a historian at heart who is passionate and saavy about early nineteenth century affairs. Mandel sprinkles his pages with the standard-bearers of pre-World war I era-- Theodore Roosevelt, Tsar Nicholas II, Vladimir Lenin, and the spymasters William Melville and Felix Dzerzhinsky. But these historical figures are more than just name-droppings or simple cardboard effigies of real people. Each personage is fleshed out with character and voice. In this context, Mandel's novel is a master-class for those seeking the key to blending history and fiction."

ForeWord Clarion Review

Four Stars (out of Five)

"Mandel, a physician with the U.S. Navy and a published historian, strengthens this tale with authoritative historic facts and research. He paints his protagonist as a true patriot and a pawn who never quite finds acceptance and peace."

"..the strong attention to history will keep readers turning pages. The book will be of special interest to readers who enjoy a flawed but heroic character or the era of the Russo-Japanese War, the Russian Revolution, and World War I."

Military Writers Society of America

If you have any interest in early 20th Century events leading to the Workers' Revolution and the creation of the Soviet Union, then MORYAK is well-researched, well thought-out, and well-written.
 
Would you believe that a young Jewish man saved the life of Prince Nicholas of Czarist Russia? Would you believe that an American military officer was involved in an international plot to kidnap Czar Nicholas and his family?  Would you believe that a survivor of a Russian gulag would infiltrate the inner circle of the Bolshevik Party? Would you believe that the son of a US Congressman would plan and carry out the assassination of Czar Nicholas and the royal family?  The author spins a story that ties these events together into a compelling tragedy.  Throughout the book, you meet "men of history" and question their actions as these well-known events unfold.
 
Lee Mandel's historical novel, MORYAK, will take you on a ride where fact and fiction is so skillfully woven together that only a dedicated student of the Russian Revolution could identify the fabricated threads of the tapestry.  A haunting possibility for aficionados of the mysterious tragedy that changed the world forever and fostered the great experiment of the 20th Century, a frolic for audiences who enjoy historic thrillers, and entertaining for those who just want to sit down with a good book on a lazy afternoon.

Review by John Faulkner, MWSA Reviewer (April 2010)