The author analyzes the origins and characteristics of revolutionary violence in Russia, which reached its apogee in 1917-1920. Exploring the psychosocial dynamics of the revolution, he shows that it was based on traditionalist reactions to modernization processes. A significant place is devoted to criticism of the entire complex of studies of the revolution, and an original theory of its origin and development is built. In contrast to the first edition of the book, the range of sources from Russian and foreign archives on which the author’s conclusions are based has been significantly expanded.