“The Tubman Command” by Elizabeth Cobbs is a fascinating look at Harriet Tubman in a different role than the Underground Railroad. This historical fiction novel centers around Harriet Tubman’s time as a spy and scout for the Union army during the Civil War. Well told and very interesting. I particularly liked the epigrams at the beginning of each chapter which were taken from actual historical documents. Be sure to read the author’s notes at the end to gain insight into her research to understand what is fact and what she included as a fictionalized account of some events. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars

Overall, I enjoyed this historical fiction about Harriet Tubman, However, I wished the author hadn't added the romance aspect to it as I felt it took away from the overall picture of the heroine.

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy free of charge. This is my honest and unbiased opinion of it.

I read Elizabeth Cobbs’ 2019 historical romance “The Tubman Command” in kindle ebook, which I received from Skyhorse Publishing through netgalley.com, in exchange for publishing an honest review. The novel's publication date is expected to be 21 May 2019. I am primarily a reviewer of science and science fiction, and so you may question what I think I am doing reading a book like this. The explanation is simple – I live in Beaufort South Carolina, on Lady’s Island to be precise. In case you are unaware, the Sea Islands here were Union territory during most of the US Civil War, adjacent to the Confederate mainland. The Raid on Combahee Ferry, that freed over 750 enslaved people, is a well-known part of the local lore. I kayak in the saltwater Beaufort and Coosaw Rivers along the route taken. Every time I drive to Charleston, I pass over the Hwy 17 Harriet Tubman Bridge, over the Combahee River, and look at the site of the raid just to the side of the road. There is a campaign by local Tabernacle Baptist Church to erect a monument to Harriet Tubman in Beaufort to commemorate her role. See https://www.harriettubmanmonument.com/. I often wonder what it was like back then.

I am no historian, but one of the challenges must be that the historical records of Tubman’s role are scant, because of her status as an escaped slave, and because of her sex, not to mention that her operations were of course conducted in secrecy. But there is little doubt that she played an active role, conducting surveillance missions and accompanying the troops on Colonel Montgomery’s raid. The reading I’ve done only speculates on how pivotal her role was. So I’m under no illusion that a novel could have been written that only conforms to documented history. But readers need to be aware that Cobb did not just write a fictionalized account of events – she wrote a romance novel. Whether the sexual liaison between Harriet Tubman and Samuel Heyward really took place (there is zero evidence), or even if it was remotely possible (there is also zero evidence against it), I feel it to be disrespectful of the actual historical figures.

While on the subject of actual historical figures, there are also cameo appearances by Robert Smalls and Laura Towne. Robert Smalls is another local figure, known for his commandeering of a Confederate military transport ship and the surrender of it to the Union Navy off Charleston. Later, during Reconstruction, he served as representative of Beaufort in the US House of Representatives. He doesn’t actually have much to do with Harriet Tubman and the Raid on Combahee Ferry. But it was nice to include it. Laura Towne, however, is badly misportrayed. It is ironic that the fictional Harriet Tubman’s experience at a Shout in a St. Helena Praise House, is actually an experience from Laura Towne’s diary. While the fictional Laura Towne is portrayed as a vocal and condemning missionary. Towne’s contributions in demonstrating the educational potential of the freed slaves of the Sea Islands, paved the way for national policy in Reconstruction. (which sadly was deconstructed within a few more years). The Unitarian Laura Towne and her partner, the Quaker Ellen Murray founded the Penn School as part of the Port Royal Experiment. If you want to know the actual history, I recommend Penn Center; A History Preserved, Orville Vernon Burton and Wilbur Cross.

So what to do about my rating? It is an important and fascinating task that Elizabeth Cobb has taken on in writing a fictionalized account of Harriet Tubman and the Raid on Combahee Ferry. But I had to hold my nose to get through descriptions of her physical craving for the bulging muscles of Samuel, and the trashing of Laura Towne. What a shame. 2 stars, I guess.

THE TUBMAN COMMAND - By Elizabeth Cobbs

This book comes closer to true historical fiction than any that I have read in a great while. It is about 75% history instead of the usual 50% or less. The author takes great care to let the reader know that she is following historical events by opening each chapter with quotations from newspapers and personal accounts from lay people as well as military leaders of the time period, 1863. I had high hopes when I began reading the story, about a Civil War raid on a rice plantation, which was gripping initially.

However, I am deeply disappointed that Ms. Cobbs felt it necessary to inject a sexual liaison into Harriet Tubman’s story, which the author herself admits in the epilogue is completely fictional. This is supposed to be Mrs. Tubman’s story, not Ms. Cobb’s and “spicing it up” so to speak with 21st century attitudes towards sexuality undermines the authenticity. People had very different attitudes towards sexuality in the 19th century and the author should have respected that instead of making her story more appealing to some modern readers. Mrs. Tubman was a heroine in every sense of the term and she had much more important things to do in 1863. Like spying for the US Army when she wasn’t working in military and civilian hospital caring for the victims of the war. She also had her own business baking gingerbread and some other foodstuff.

Also, a note about the ridiculous cat in the tree scenario. As people who grew up on farms/plantations, Samuel Heyward and Harriet Tubman would never have gone out in the inky darkness of night to climb a tree and bring a cat down. They would have let it stay there until it decided to come down, which it would have come daylight. This was the incident the author used to set up her sexual liaison between Samuel and Harriet.

I do wish the author had stuck with her format of opening each chapter with an historical passage, then fictionalizing the dialogue, which she does remarkably well. Her descriptions of life in 1863 war-ravaged America were superb. Ms. Cobb paints vivid word pictures and it is easy for the reader to imagine these characters and scenarios, almost like watching a movie. One can feel the tension among the characters in many of these scenes.

For the most part, this is an enthralling story, centered on the preparation for the Union raid of rice plantations on small islands off the South Carolina coast. The raid was designed not only to destroy the food supply of the Confederates but to rescue as many slaves as possible from what was considered the harshest plantation in the area. I do think the story could have been trimmed by 50 to 75 pages as there is much repetition of minutiae during the days leading up to the night-time raid. Also, in my opinion the cat in the tree and the sexual liaison do not belong in the book.

Although there is some uncertainty about whether Harriet actually had any children, Ms. Cobb takes the position that she had one daughter with her first husband John Tubman, a free black man. They decided together to hide her pregnancy and “give” the child to her husband’s sister, a free black woman, who was pregnant at the same time. So the child would not be the “property” of the man who owned Harriet at the time. After John Tubman left her to marry a free black woman, Harriet was apparently single until years after the end of the Civil War when she married a Civil War veteran 20 years her junior. They made their home in Auburn, New York.

Harriet’s story needs to be told again and again and perhaps once the US 20-dollar bills with her image on them start to appear, she will finally get the respect she is due. The book is of course timed to capitalize on the debut of this US Treasury tribute to an American heroine. If it gets Mrs. Tubman the respect she deserves, fine with me. I gave it 3 stars because of the infusion of 21st century values and unnecessary padding of the story. I think it has great potential to be a 5-star movie. I was given an ARC of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

NOT BAD, JUST DIDN'T GRAB MY ATTENTION

DNF at 55%

Since I have now been working on this book for 4 days - that's 3 longer than it should have taken me - I have decided to call time of death on this one. It's not that this was a bad book or anything, there was just something about it that didn't capture me. I kept procrastinating and I even stopped reading mid-chapter numerous times, something that I NEVER do.

I picked out this book because of the interesting subject, I was familiar with Harriet Tubman's story but had never read anything about it, so I thought this would be a good time to do it. Sadly, I felt like this was a sort of wasted opportunity. It felt very aimed at an American audience. It lacked context, which I am sure Americans would have, but because I am not American and have not learnt about the American Civil War in school, I should couldn't connect with the story.

I am sad to have to DNF this, but I just don't want to spent anymore time with a book that doesn't do it for me. Again, it's not a bad book, it just didn't grab me.

A powerful story focusing on Tubman's role during the civil war. I had previously heard of her work with the underground railroad and her courage in leading slaves to freedom, but I confess I knew nothing about the aspect of her life that this book focuses on which was her role as a scout for the Union army and the part she played in the covert operation on the Combahee River, which resulted in 750 slaves being freed.
I enjoy historical fiction particularly that which weaves in some factual additions, quotes from Slaves and members of the military which were found at the beginning of each chapter added an extra layer for me. My interest did wane slightly midway through the book, particularly when a fictional love affair was introduced yet on the whole Elizabeth Cobbs has written a captivating story bringing to life another chapter in the history of a very strong and courageous woman, Harriet ‘Moses’ Tubman.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this book.

I need to start by saying Harriet was always a hero to me. Growing up in Auburn, I'd heard about her from my grandmother, who remembered her riding around town on her bicycle and then later, learning about her in school. She was always this sort of "cardboard hero" as I couldn't really imagine a living, breathing woman. Now I can. This was such wonderfully vivid book for me. My memories mixed together with this story, now I can truly integrate the fact that she WAS a real life person. Strange. I never thought about her love life. Granted- fiction, but she was a woman with feelings and a HUGE COURAGEOUS HEART so the love story just helped me realize - REAL PERSON...not cardboard hero. I wasn't sure the book would do her justice.. But as an Auburnian, it made me very proud. And happy. Because seriously? No one ever honored her with her own novel. So thank you author.

A really good historical fiction book about Harriet tubman. Well written and engrossing i found it hard to put down.I can't wait for the authors next book

I wasn't sure if this was supposed to be fiction or not, but either way, I LOVED it. Definitely for the person who loves history and historical fiction.

I have always been fascinated with Harriet Tubman since elementary school. Now there is finally a historical novel of her. This novel made Harriet come alive! She is very human. She has made many mistakes and some regrets. This novel focuses on Harriet recruiting spies for the Civil War. There was many action scenes. Overall, this novel will not disappoint historical fiction fans!

Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: Skyhorse Publishing
Pub. Date: May 21, 2019

Mini Review

The author of “The Hamilton Affair” writes another interesting historical novel, “The Tubman Command.” In this flawlessly researched novel, one learns of the lesser known heroic deeds of the black icon Harriet Tubman AKA Moses. Most people have heard of Tubman, for engineering the Underground Railroad and smuggling fugitive slaves from the South to the North. This novel veers away from that part of her life and instead concentrates on her lesser known missions as a spy for the Union army. Her efforts helped to turn the tide during the Civil War, which, as of May 1863, the North was losing. Cobbs keeps the writing authenticate in many ways, such as using the long-forgotten dialect of the Africans living in Hilton Head Island located in South Carolina. This is where Tubman and her scouts locate Rebel underwater mines. Adding to the appreciated realism, each chapter begins with an actual documented and often moving quote from a general, a colonel, a scout or a slave regarding Moses’ extraordinary talents. The author shines brightest when she brings focus on the human side of the famous woman. The story fluctuates between Harriet's determined dedication to freeing people from slavery and her sense of burden and loss in her personal life. She left her first husband to pursue her own freedom and outlived her second husband. The author allows her heroine a love affair which in the endnote admits is pure fiction. This sexual relationship may not have been needed other than to reach an audience who simply want romance in their stories. Still, Cobbs emphasizes that although her real-life protagonist was a lonely woman, she knew she was equal, or more probably, superior to any man, black or white. Tubman is one of America’s first extraordinary female leaders. That alone makes this a book worth reading.

The Tubman Command is Cobbs' depiction of Harriet Tubman's participation in the Civil War. The author also provides flash backs to Tubman's former life and alludes she even had a child. I was interested in the afterward, but was disappointed when the author didn't provide much for her historical resources specifically.
It's an interesting read and should be enthralling to readers of historical fiction. I like the cover art.

I enjoyed getting to know "Moses" Harriett Tubman in a way we've never seen her.
She's an incredible woman whose bravery and strength I admire. Those who came across her I considered blessed. I wish I could've met her and I will someday in heaven.
The only thing I didn't like was the cussing and sex scenes so I pretty much skipped those. I thought the story could've been told without all that. I think if it was a paperback i wouldn't have finishe reading it.
For the most part it was well written and the author pulled off some great scenes in this book.
I received a copy from Netgalley and no compensations were received. All opinions are my own

Elizabeth Combs has written a fantastic book that has brought Harriet Tubman to life. This is a wonderful historical fiction mixed with facts, and the descriptions of the time period are spot on.

Wonderful. Book about a truly courageous woman that the country owes s debt of gratitude to.
The book was atmospheric and rich with. History.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book

I’ve always been fascinated with the history and lore of Harriet Tubman. She deserves so much more attention and accolades in today’s world for a variety of reasons. Elizabeth Cobbs, a respected author of American history, shines a beautiful, truthful and loving light on Ms. Tubman in her new book, “The Tubman Command”.
Ms. Cobbs details the courageous raid well behind enemy lines to free over 750 slaves, sneaking thru the enemy fire, friendly fire and underwater mines to carry out the Combahee River Raid, 1863, one of the most successful yet least remembered maneuvers of the Civil War.
As I read, I learned. Even though I’ve been taught this era in History, I’ve respected its bleak lessons over the years; I still learned lesser known facts that should have stood at the forefront: the double standards, the unequal enforcement of humanitarian law, the sad reality of human angst. Elizabeth Cobbs breathes life into the past souls.
(I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review. Thank you to Skyhorse Publishing and NetGalley for making it available.)

Really compelling read about Harriet Tubman's lesser known roles as union army scout and soldier. The strength of this book is the depiction of Harriet.- she is a fully fleshed out woman who is vulnerable and flawed. This is historical fiction done right.

When we think of Harriet Tubman, we instantly think of the Underground Railroad and her incredible journeys to free slaves. Not much is talked about her work as a spy for the Union and her work raiding plantations. This book covers that topic beautifully. Drawing on historical facts, Cobbs weaves a story of strength and struggle. She brings Tubman to live and shows her as a woman possessed with a desire to help others escape the chains of bondage. The characters are well written and even though Cobbs takes some artistic license in her written it is still believable. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves history and Harriet Tubman.

Everyone knows Harriet Tubman was a heroine of the Underground Railway, but do you know what she did for her encore? Author Elizabeth Cobbs has researched and written The Tubman Command to share with us Tubman's work as a spy for the Union Army! Cobbs presents us with the facts of how Tubman, aka Moses, did reconnaissance of the Combahee River in South Carolina in order to convince and help General David Hunter lead the original troop of Afro-American soldiers up the river to free hundreds of slaves and destroy the livlihood of the plantations that depended on these slaves in order to operate.

Because Cobbs has a magical talent for writing historical fiction she has imagined the emotions and daily struggles of Tubman, embellished a few facts in order to keep the tale interesting and presented Tubman as a human being with thoughts and feelings just like you and me. A lot of the action in the novel occurs on the islands just off the coast of South Carolina and Cobbs' skill with the pen brings to life the manner in which both women and Afro-Americans were regarded, even those who were newly freed and consigned to refugee camps. (Did you know that many freed slaves lived in refugee camps? Take a minute to think about that!)

I loved this book and found the whole story riveting. Cobbs did not shy away from showing us the ugly side of humanity who not only had slaves but subjected them to hunger, over work, rape and torture with no consequence to the perpetrators. I was especially fascinated by the true testimonials from former slaves that preceded each chapter, these quotes helped keep the reader grounded in the fact that this is the way man treated man in the great country of America.

Harriet Tubman was a woman that everybody who believes in people's fundamental right to freedom should admire – no matter the colour of your skin, your nationality, gender or religion. She is a timeless symbol of the power of one person to bring about the change she wanted to see!

I received a free electronic copy of the book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

While I think the author did a good job with the story, I personally had a hard time getting into it and found myself bored. This book just wasn’t a good fit for me as a reader.