Eric Hobsbawm is one of the most famous historians, cultural experts and political thinkers of our day. His works have become a milestone in understanding the modern world. “Nations and Nationalism after 1780.” - this is perhaps the most relevant study of E. Hobsbawm for the Russian reader of the late 90s of the 20th century. The balanced and carefully substantiated arguments of the British scientist provide a comprehensive picture of the formation of both the very concept of “nation” and the process of formation of nations and states. E. Hobsbawm’s work is being translated into Russian for the first time.