Grisha’s Loop

– My Slavic Saga

From the Bolshevik Revolution to America
A Story of Courage and Survival

Book reviews

“‘Reading “Grisha’s Loop’ is a bargain, as you will be getting a book within a book. The author’s personal experiences and observations book-end her father’s amazing story, written in beautiful prose in his second language. It tells of unbelievable challenges, courage and accomplishments in the life of a brave man who lived through one of our most turbulent times. This book would make a fascinating movie.”

– Review on Amazon

“A compelling story of one man’s journey from early childhood in Russia through his participation in the Russian Revolution as a member of the Tsar’s army. After witnessing the horrific scenes of war, an excellent read! Gregory grows into a man and eventually abandons his country and flees to America to begin a new life. His ‘Saga’ has never been published before and is presented unedited as originally written by him. The author, his daughter seeks to reconstruct his life, and in the process of doing so, comes to know her father as an ordinary man, who lived an extraordinary life.”

– Review on Amazon

Full Book synopsis/summary:

Grisha’s Loop – My Slavic Saga: From the Bolshevik Revolution to America A Story of Courage and Survival is based on Gregoire Ivanovich Samoylenko’s unfinished autobiography, My Slavic Saga, which he wrote in the early 1930s, with the help of his friend, Arthur Cornwall Knapp. It is the story of Gregory’s childhood and subsequent involvement in the Russian Revolution as a Tsar army soldier. He is forced to abandon his engineering studies at Petrograd University when he is conscripted into military service to defend his country. He experiences a nomadic journey through Russia and the Black Sea, witnessing the horrific ravages of war and individual abuse. The boy grows into a man, never forgetting the extended family who raised him.  

Love, loss, intrigue, and danger beset Gregory’s path. Eventually, he escapes to America, settles in Boston, marries, and raises a family. Yet, his haunting nightmares compel him to record his thoughts and feelings to lessen the terrifying memories of his past. Marsha Samoylenko Denison, Gregory’s daughter, extends her Ukrainian father’s epic journey further through the prism of her recollections. In so doing, she preserves treasured memories for future generations.

Excerpts:

1.(first love) “She was dressed all in black, a soft clinging garment that reached her feet, concealing, yet at the same time, molding itself to her slender form. Her garments were ornamented with embroideries in gold thread, and about her neck was a chain of gold, composed of gold coins. Her face was covered by a long veil, fastened on each side so that only her eyes showed above. It was these eyes that held Gregory. Never in his life had he seen such eyes before: dark and deep, deep as the river pools in the shadow of the pines, yet with a sparkle in them that enlivened their placid depths.”

2. (later love letter) “Farewell!! You are my first and last love. Farewell. I wish you all the best, happiness and health. There is so much that I’d like to write, but I can’t do it.”

3. (1917 & now 2025?) Revolution wasn’t against the Tsar or war. It was for the sake of winning
the war – to change certain ministers and generals.- to put new life into the war & change patriotism.”

Other Book

MY NAME IS BUTTONS: THIS IS MY STORY

Buttons tells the story of her life, which is recorded and written by her owner Marsha S. Denison. She shares her story as a puppy rescued in a snowstorm, her adoption, and subsequent life’s journey until her death. A “character,” dog full of joy and an abundance of energy, she recalls her life and adventures living in a small beach community and her impact on those around her.

REVIEW OF – MY NAME IS BUTTONS: THIS IS MY STORY

Heartfelt, tender, deeply moving, MY NAME IS BUTTONS: THIS IS MY STORY is a celebration of the unbreakable bond between humans and their beloved pets. Marsha S. Denison gives voice to her spirited canine companion Buttons, whose story of survival, joy, and adventure will warm the hearts of animal lovers everywhere.

From the moment that Buttons is rescued from a snowstorm, readers are drawn into her world – a world filled with boundless curiosity, playful mischief, and unconditional love. Through Buttons’ unique perspective, Denison captures the essence of what makes dogs so extraordinary: their ability to bright light and laughter even into life’s darkest moments.

Set in a picturesque beachside community, the narrative is both charming and bittersweet. The adventures are full of energy and wonder, but there is also gentle wisdom in her reflections of family and the people whose loves she touched. By the time the story reaches its emotional conclusion, readers are left with tears in their eyes – not from sadness alone, but for gratitude having shared in Buttons’ beautiful journey.

This book is perfect for anyone who has ever loved and lost a pet, as well as for those who cherish the joy and healing that animals bring into our lives. Denison’s storytelling is warm and sincere, making MY NAME IS BUTTONS not just a memoir but a testament to the enduring power of love. ‘

Highly recommended – a heartfelt unforgettable tribute to the special companions who change us forever.

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