Peter the Great, one of the brightest personalities in Europe at the beginning of modern history, has always attracted the attention of historians. Professor of the University of London M.S. Anderson in his book presents a well-known image somewhat unexpectedly: cruelty in public affairs, lack of affection in personal relationships, rudeness of behavior - on the one hand, and the greatness of the glorious achievements that made Russia a serious independent political and military force - on the other. But having decisively rejected the inflated historical myth, the author analyzes in detail the enormous life of Peter and gives it an ambiguous assessment. The book will undoubtedly be of interest to a wide range of readers.