In the early 1890s, a Russian family emigrates to the fledgling United States of America.
They have a simple aim, to put behind them the old ways of Mother Russia and to make a good, new life in the new world.
But, their plans are smashed to pieces when their parents suddenly die, far too early. The children end up being taken into an orphanage.
However Anatole and Mariska make the best of this terrible situation and they face their future together with hope and animation.
When they grow up and leave the orphanage they decide to launch themselves into the world of vaudeville and tour North and South America, plus Europe.
Eventually Anatole is shanghaied to China and he is forced to work his way back home to the USA, battling his way through China, travelling through Australia and crossing the Pacific.
He joins the US Army and finds himself in both the Mexican War and the Great War, where he serves on the battlefields that scarred Europe.
On his return he becomes a pioneering cinematographer, famed for producing wildlife documentaries.
This is a truly breathtaking book and a wonderful adventure, covering 475 pages.
It is published by The Book Guild at £9.99.
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