The book describes the events that took place in the first half of the 17th century, when the Zaporizhzhya Cossacks defended their rights. Taras Bulba is a grown man, a Cossack colonel meets his sons. She finished her studies and returned home, her mother is glad of their arrival, Taras makes fun of them and rejoices at how strong sons he grew up with. However, Taras wants his children to know what struggle, courage and honor are. And he decides to send them to the Zaporizhzhya Sich, so that they can see with their own eyes the war and feel it on themselves. He rides with them. There, his sons learn about the life of the Cossacks, about war, patriotism, fidelity. But only everyone is true to their ideals, and they choose different paths.