The book by the famous historian S. Tsvetkov is dedicated to one of the most dramatic periods of ancient Russian history - the era of the reign of Vladimir Svyatoslavich, the baptist of Rus'. This is the time when, in bloody dynastic feuds and endless wars with warlike neighbors, a single Russian state was born, which immediately took its place among the strongest European and world powers. The personality of Prince Vladimir and his era still cause controversy and ambiguous assessments. The book presents the main historical figures (Prince Vladimir, his brothers Yaropolk and Oleg, governors Dobrynya and Svengeld, Vladimir’s first wife in his pagan marriages Rogneda and his only Christian wife Princess Anna , Emperor Vasily II, etc.), characteristic details, as well as the main events of that fateful era for Russia - the Svyatoslavich feud, the baptism of Rus', the Pecheneg raids on Rus', etc. The book is addressed to a wide range of lovers of Russian history.