The publication contains works by Russian historians of the early 20th century on the history of Serbia and Montenegro - N. Dobronravov, D. Voinovich, A.L. Pogodin and S. Drossard, published only once - at the end of the 19th - beginning of the 20th century. The book also includes “A Brief History of Serbia and Montenegro,” written by S. Shumov and A. Andreev based on modern materials and bringing the history of the Balkan countries to the end of the 20th century.

The publication also includes works by various historians of the late 18th - beginning of the 19th century about Bosnia, Herzegovina, Macedonia, Slovenia and Croatia, written on the basis of historical knowledge of that period. Some aspects of the history of the Balkan Peninsula, given in their works, are already outdated - over the many years that have passed since the publication, historical science has moved forward significantly - but the very interesting observations of the authors make the publication relevant for those interested in the history of the Balkans in our time. Works are printed with slight abbreviations.