Его Высочество Князь Юрий Оболенский. Прямой потомок легендарной княжеской семьи Оболенских из рода Рюриков, верой и правдой служивших русской короне на протяжении более, чем тысячи лет, всегда оказывавшихся на острие величайших событий истории. Князь Юрий Оболенский не оказался исключением. Пережив кровавый бунт 1917-го года, прошагав все раздираемые смутами дороги Европы, испытав голод, бездомность и нищету, не раз оказываясь на краю гибели, пройдя добровольцем фронты Второй Мировой, пережив фашистский плен и концлагерь, отпраздновав освобождение и победу, приняв участие во всех событиях созидательных пятидесятых, революционных шестидесятых, всемирного противостояния семидесятых, глобального переустройства восьмидесятых и девяностых, распрощавшись со старым веком и встретив новое тысячелетие, Князь ни разу не поступился принципами фамильной дворянской чести, никогда не поворачивался к испытаниям и опасностям спиной, и даже став гражданином Америки, по духу так и остался навеки русским. Борьба за достоинство и жизнь, поиск своего пути в огромном враждебном мире, встреча будущей жены Роды, любви всей его жизни, путь к богатству и жизненному успеху – всё это вы найдёте в книге Его Высочества.
Роковое двадцатое столетие, его ключевые события и перепитии глазами лично пережившего их человека, потомственного русского дворянина, прожившего свою жизнь на сломе и острие времён, в раскалённых, пылающих пламенем огненной эпохи, раскалённых мемуарах князя Юрия Оболенского «НАВЕКИ РУССКИЙ».
История века, история жизни и история любви. Добро пожаловать в княжеский мир.
Князь Расуль Ягудин
(Париж, Франция)
People are often curious about strangers they meet who speak with an accent. This became very evident when Georges emmigrated to the United States and eventually acquired citizenship. Although one can change one's name when becoming a U.S. citizen. Georges chose to keep his name "Georges" and the French spelling rather than calling himself "Yuri" which is his name in Russian. Since he spoke with an accent, he was always asked about his background. When he finally very reluctantly would mention the family title of "Prince" people became intrigued. Eventually he decided to write his memoirs and give a bit of history of his very old Russian noble family. Included in the history portion of Forever Russian, Memoirs of a Vagabond Prince, author Georges Obolensky gives a vivid picture of his boyhood in France and of his life in America.
Georges' family dates back to the reign of Rurik ! in the 9th century when the title of "Prince" was bestowed on them. When the Russian Revolution broke out in 1917, as time went on much of his family were forced to flee Russia to avoid execution by the Bolsheviks. They joined tens of thousands of other refugees who escaped, many of them ending in France, and who likewise fled for fear of their lives. Since the book is his memoirs and his family history is mentioned quite often, it won't be necessary to repeat it here.
He chronicles his life mostly from the time he was sent to France to live with his uncle and aunt on the French Riviera and where he stayed until the outbreak of World War II. He tells of being captured by the Germans and sent to a POW camp in the southeastern part of Germany and some of what his life was like then. After he escaped from the camp he finally arrived in Paris where he met a professor from Indiana University amd subsequently arrived on campus as a student. Eventually he became an American citizen which was one of his proudest days.
Despite being a devoted US citizen, he never forgot his heritage. He was very proud but never dwelled or even mentioned his ancestery unless someone asked him. He was an American through and through and Lord help anyone who spoke against the United States and her citizens! Georges died in his sleep in 2011 but his memoirs were complete and published posthumously.
Georges Obolensky traced his family roots back to Rurik I in the 8th century. He was very proud of his Russian background yet he always declined to use his title and never brought up his heritage in casual conversation. If he met someone who knew the family name, he would reluctantly acknowledge the fact that he did have the title of Prince. History was one of Georges' passions, whether it was books or movies, he took it all in. His love of history was one of the things that compelled him to write his own story.
Ben Green(Monday, February 24 14 09:59 pm EST)
The Obolensky name is perhaps one of the most intriguing in all of Russian history.
This is what first led me to read this book, as a family friend was born a "Princess Obolensky".
Like many from this large family, Georges lived a remarkable life. His story and how many connections their are to Russian, European, and American history is remarkable.
I recommend it to anyone who enjoys history, a good story, or just hearing how a life, through its ups and downs, was made into something unforgettable.
Kris pocaro(Friday, September 06 13 10:09 pm EDT)
I have been friends with Georges daughter Julie for over 40 years. I had often heard the words Prince and Princess mentioned but never explained. I don't think I would have understood it back then. I am only sorry that he didn't share his remarkable story sooner. It's a fascinating and amazing story.
Nancy Bedner(Sunday, June 30 13 07:05 pm EDT)
My husband and I met George and Rhoda nearly 30 years ago in New Jersey, and became very close friends. George shared his "story" with us, and we were fascinated. We urged him to write it down, and I am so glad he did. Reading his book was like listening to him telling us about his life. This is a fantastic, well written book, and gives the reader a glimpse of his remarkable life.
Eva Batory(Sunday, June 30 13 01:21 pm EDT)
FOREVER RUSSIAN is a delight to read. Ins pite of the very serious happenings early in Georges' childhood and later on again, there is no trace of bitterness or resentment in him, but only the joy of living in his adopted country, America.
Ronald Schansman(Tuesday, June 25 13 12:35 pm EDT)
I have been 3 months in the States and am leaving tomorrow for home. Visiting my sister in early April, the book of your husband, FOREVER RUSSIAN just had come in the mail. I started reading the memoirs of your vagabond Prince Yuri and ...I was fascinated by his story. I finished the book the same evening too – could not stop – a page turner!
Renate Konov(Monday, May 06 13 11:37 pm EDT)
Kynaz Yuri, reading your book now, it is great. I have to agree, we Russian's in the dispora are forever as such, RUSSIANS! Bravo. Wonderful!
Phyllis Baron(Sunday, April 21 13 11:38 am EDT)
I love this book! Not only was "Forever Russian" informative, it was also a poignant love story between Georges and Rhoda.
I got a glimpse of how Russian nobility lived in those days. For Georges to have been sent at a young age to live with relatives in France, growing up never to see his mother until adulthood, becoming a prisoner of War in World War 2, manage to come to the US to get a college degree, find the "love of his life", work at different jobs, some of which took him away from his family in his early career. had to have been difficult.
I would have loved meeting Georges Obolensky to talk to him about his
THE 1917 SOVIET REVOLUTION AND ITS DISASTROUS CONSEQUENCE
On the morning of October 25, 1917 my Oncle Misha Obolensky stepped out onto the balcony of his palace for a quick after-breakfast cigarette. This was an enjoyable daily routine. The air was crisp and cool after two days of steady snow. The already partially frozen Neva River flowed placidly on its journey to the Gulf of Finland. From his balcony Oncle Misha's eyes traveled across the river to rest upon the beautiful historic Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul, where the remains of past tsarist emperors and a few grand dukes were buried. The charming view brought a serene and nostalgic feeling to his heart.
His reverie was suddenly shattered, however, by the approaching sound of a male chorus singing the "Marseillaise". This rebellous French tune always startled and unnerved Oncle MIsha, filling him with dread ever since Russian terrorist groups had adopted it as their rousing battle cry. The singing grew louder as the mob memerged from around the corner and marched in front of the palace. As they passed, a couple of shots rang out and bullets whizzed past his head. Oncle Misha jumped quickly back into his dining room.
CHAPTER 8
WAR
France's declaration of war in September 1939 against Germany turned out to be an unexpected personal boon in that it provided me a means of escape from the growing tension between Tante Anna and me. Shortly after that I volunteered to join the French Army to fight the invading Germans. To my great relief, she said little to try to dissuade me.
I soon became a soldier of the Trente Chasseurs Alpine (30th Alpine hunters) a small unit. Along with some other fighting divisions, we were sent to the Maginot Line front with orders to do reconnaissance and report on the German army's movements. It looked like a very easy assignment with all the heavy artillery of the Maginot Line aimed 180 degrees against the enemy. Well, the Germans were fully aware that the fixed position of the Maginot was actually a handicap for France. All they had to do was to invade Belgium and attack us from the rear – which, of course, they did. For our unit, it was a three-week zigzag retreat to the West, with the ultimate aim of reaching the outskirts of Paris. We never made it. The faster German motorized units always got to the next village, which we thought was unoccuped, before we did. Our unit commander finally gave up zigzagging and surrendered. We were prisoneres of war.
Роковое двадцатое столетие, его ключевые события и перепитии глазами лично пережившего их человека, потомственного русского дворянина, прожившего свою жизнь на сломе и острие времён, в раскалённых, пылающих пламенем огненной эпохи, раскалённых мемуарах князя Юрия Оболенского «НАВЕКИ РУССКИЙ».
История века, история жизни и история любви. Добро пожаловать в княжеский мир.
Князь Расуль Ягудин
(Париж, Франция)
People are often curious about strangers they meet who speak with an accent. This became very evident when Georges emmigrated to the United States and eventually acquired citizenship. Although one can change one's name when becoming a U.S. citizen. Georges chose to keep his name "Georges" and the French spelling rather than calling himself "Yuri" which is his name in Russian. Since he spoke with an accent, he was always asked about his background. When he finally very reluctantly would mention the family title of "Prince" people became intrigued. Eventually he decided to write his memoirs and give a bit of history of his very old Russian noble family. Included in the history portion of Forever Russian, Memoirs of a Vagabond Prince, author Georges Obolensky gives a vivid picture of his boyhood in France and of his life in America.
Georges' family dates back to the reign of Rurik ! in the 9th century when the title of "Prince" was bestowed on them. When the Russian Revolution broke out in 1917, as time went on much of his family were forced to flee Russia to avoid execution by the Bolsheviks. They joined tens of thousands of other refugees who escaped, many of them ending in France, and who likewise fled for fear of their lives. Since the book is his memoirs and his family history is mentioned quite often, it won't be necessary to repeat it here.
He chronicles his life mostly from the time he was sent to France to live with his uncle and aunt on the French Riviera and where he stayed until the outbreak of World War II. He tells of being captured by the Germans and sent to a POW camp in the southeastern part of Germany and some of what his life was like then. After he escaped from the camp he finally arrived in Paris where he met a professor from Indiana University amd subsequently arrived on campus as a student. Eventually he became an American citizen which was one of his proudest days.
Despite being a devoted US citizen, he never forgot his heritage. He was very proud but never dwelled or even mentioned his ancestery unless someone asked him. He was an American through and through and Lord help anyone who spoke against the United States and her citizens! Georges died in his sleep in 2011 but his memoirs were complete and published posthumously.
Georges Obolensky traced his family roots back to Rurik I in the 8th century. He was very proud of his Russian background yet he always declined to use his title and never brought up his heritage in casual conversation. If he met someone who knew the family name, he would reluctantly acknowledge the fact that he did have the title of Prince. History was one of Georges' passions, whether it was books or movies, he took it all in. His love of history was one of the things that compelled him to write his own story.
Ben Green(Monday, February 24 14 09:59 pm EST)
The Obolensky name is perhaps one of the most intriguing in all of Russian history.
This is what first led me to read this book, as a family friend was born a "Princess Obolensky".
Like many from this large family, Georges lived a remarkable life. His story and how many connections their are to Russian, European, and American history is remarkable.
I recommend it to anyone who enjoys history, a good story, or just hearing how a life, through its ups and downs, was made into something unforgettable.
Kris pocaro(Friday, September 06 13 10:09 pm EDT)
I have been friends with Georges daughter Julie for over 40 years. I had often heard the words Prince and Princess mentioned but never explained. I don't think I would have understood it back then. I am only sorry that he didn't share his remarkable story sooner. It's a fascinating and amazing story.
Nancy Bedner(Sunday, June 30 13 07:05 pm EDT)
My husband and I met George and Rhoda nearly 30 years ago in New Jersey, and became very close friends. George shared his "story" with us, and we were fascinated. We urged him to write it down, and I am so glad he did. Reading his book was like listening to him telling us about his life. This is a fantastic, well written book, and gives the reader a glimpse of his remarkable life.
Eva Batory(Sunday, June 30 13 01:21 pm EDT)
FOREVER RUSSIAN is a delight to read. Ins pite of the very serious happenings early in Georges' childhood and later on again, there is no trace of bitterness or resentment in him, but only the joy of living in his adopted country, America.
Ronald Schansman(Tuesday, June 25 13 12:35 pm EDT)
I have been 3 months in the States and am leaving tomorrow for home. Visiting my sister in early April, the book of your husband, FOREVER RUSSIAN just had come in the mail. I started reading the memoirs of your vagabond Prince Yuri and ...I was fascinated by his story. I finished the book the same evening too – could not stop – a page turner!
Renate Konov(Monday, May 06 13 11:37 pm EDT)
Kynaz Yuri, reading your book now, it is great. I have to agree, we Russian's in the dispora are forever as such, RUSSIANS! Bravo. Wonderful!
Phyllis Baron(Sunday, April 21 13 11:38 am EDT)
I love this book! Not only was "Forever Russian" informative, it was also a poignant love story between Georges and Rhoda.
I got a glimpse of how Russian nobility lived in those days. For Georges to have been sent at a young age to live with relatives in France, growing up never to see his mother until adulthood, becoming a prisoner of War in World War 2, manage to come to the US to get a college degree, find the "love of his life", work at different jobs, some of which took him away from his family in his early career. had to have been difficult.
I would have loved meeting Georges Obolensky to talk to him about his
THE 1917 SOVIET REVOLUTION AND ITS DISASTROUS CONSEQUENCE
On the morning of October 25, 1917 my Oncle Misha Obolensky stepped out onto the balcony of his palace for a quick after-breakfast cigarette. This was an enjoyable daily routine. The air was crisp and cool after two days of steady snow. The already partially frozen Neva River flowed placidly on its journey to the Gulf of Finland. From his balcony Oncle Misha's eyes traveled across the river to rest upon the beautiful historic Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul, where the remains of past tsarist emperors and a few grand dukes were buried. The charming view brought a serene and nostalgic feeling to his heart.
His reverie was suddenly shattered, however, by the approaching sound of a male chorus singing the "Marseillaise". This rebellous French tune always startled and unnerved Oncle MIsha, filling him with dread ever since Russian terrorist groups had adopted it as their rousing battle cry. The singing grew louder as the mob memerged from around the corner and marched in front of the palace. As they passed, a couple of shots rang out and bullets whizzed past his head. Oncle Misha jumped quickly back into his dining room.
CHAPTER 8
WAR
France's declaration of war in September 1939 against Germany turned out to be an unexpected personal boon in that it provided me a means of escape from the growing tension between Tante Anna and me. Shortly after that I volunteered to join the French Army to fight the invading Germans. To my great relief, she said little to try to dissuade me.
I soon became a soldier of the Trente Chasseurs Alpine (30th Alpine hunters) a small unit. Along with some other fighting divisions, we were sent to the Maginot Line front with orders to do reconnaissance and report on the German army's movements. It looked like a very easy assignment with all the heavy artillery of the Maginot Line aimed 180 degrees against the enemy. Well, the Germans were fully aware that the fixed position of the Maginot was actually a handicap for France. All they had to do was to invade Belgium and attack us from the rear – which, of course, they did. For our unit, it was a three-week zigzag retreat to the West, with the ultimate aim of reaching the outskirts of Paris. We never made it. The faster German motorized units always got to the next village, which we thought was unoccuped, before we did. Our unit commander finally gave up zigzagging and surrendered. We were prisoneres of war.