The basis for the book was the course of lectures “Star Formation”, given to students of the astronomical department of the Faculty of Physics of Moscow State University. The history of views on the origin of stars is briefly described. The composition and dynamics of the interstellar medium are described, with particular detail about globules and giant molecular clouds in which stars are formed. The basic physical processes leading to the birth of stars and small stellar systems, such as double and multiple stars, associations, open and globular star clusters are described. The book is intended for students of astronomy and physics, but is also of interest to specialists in astronomy and physics.