In the book offered to the reader, the author tries to lift the veil of secrecy over a number of controversial subjects of domestic and foreign history, such as the murder of Tsarevich Dmitry in Uglich, the case of Princess Tarakanova and Pugachev, etc., and also to answer the question about the reason for Russian victories on the ice of Chudskoye lakes and in the Battle of Kulikovo, gives an extraordinary interpretation of the role and place of Sergius of Radonezh in Russian history. The author's judgments, although sometimes controversial, are distinguished by the freshness of his view of the problems he addresses, and the questions he asks himself and the reader are distinguished by the novelty of his presentation. The book is addressed to a wide range of readers.