The revised and expanded 
edition of Avner Gold's The Year of the Sword opens in 1648 with the 
happy occasion of Rav Shloime Strasbourg's marriage to Brachah Surkis, 
to the delight of his parents who never thought they would live to see 
this day. Several months later, Rav Shloime travels with Aharon, his 
ten-year-old stepson, and his friend Elisha Ringel to a family wedding 
in Nemirov, Ukraine. 
In middle of the 
festivities, the count informs the Jewish community that the Cossacks 
have revolted and are fast approaching, and he offers them sanctuary in 
the castle. The people run to the supposed safety of the castle, the 
bride still in her wedding dress, but the Cossacks gain entry through 
trickery. The trapped people heroically choose martyrdom, and the scenes
 that ensue are horrendous. 
Rav Shloime, Aharon and 
Elisha escape Nemirov through Elisha;s resourcefulness, but danger 
pursues them. Rav Shloime and Aharon become separated from Elisha during
 the attack on Polnoye, and only Rav Shloime's quick thinking saves them
 from certain death. 
The Year of the Sword depicts
 the early stages of the tragedy that befell the Jewish people during 
the years 1648-1649, known to Jewish history as "Tach v'Tat", when a 
large portion of European Jewry perished at the hands of the Cossacks 
and their Tatar allies. It vividly portrays Bogdan Chmielnicki, the 
Cossack hetman, and Tugay Bey, the Tatar general. We behold the faith 
and courage of Rav Yechiel Michel Katz of Nemirov and Rav Shimshon 
Ostropolier of Polnoye as they inspire their followers to sanctify the 
Name. And we witness Rav Yom Tov Lipmann Heller, the Tosefos Yom Tov, 
the illustrious rabbi of Krakow, struggle with the plight of the women 
whose husbands disappeared in the war.
The Year of the Sword is historical fiction at its finest.