A fresh, unbiased and systematic look at the events and facts of medieval Russian history distinguishes the original work of the Yaroslavl researcher A. Maksimov from already published publications of this kind. Based on the analysis of various historical documents, the author, regardless of canons and authorities, puts forward his own, alternative interpretation of the most important historical events. The book covers the period from the appearance of the Mongols in Rus' to the elevation of Mikhail Romanov to the kingdom.