Skolkovo - what is it really? A breakthrough point where a Russian Google will appear, or a “Potemkin business center” that will quietly disappear on the sidelines of history? As soon as it was born, this ambitious political startup caused a storm of fierce criticism. The author of the book, risking his nerves and reputation, conducted his own investigation in search of answers to many difficult questions. Who came up with the Russian Silicon Valley and why? What instructions did Russian officials fly to Boston on a secret visit? Why don't engineers hear Viktor Vekselberg's call? For the first time, the book recreates a complete picture of Skolkovo from the first days of the City of the Future’s inception, and explains the motivation of the people who made key decisions. It tells about the intrigues and clashes of interests that are inevitable for projects of a national scale. For a wide range of readers.