The book by the outstanding educator of the last century, Vadim Valeryanovich Kozhinov (1930–2001), is dedicated to the early history of Russia. Based on the latest sources, with the author’s inherent originality of approach to many seemingly known facts, it traces the historical path of our country from the end of the 7th to the beginning of the 16th century. The Tale of Bygone Years, the Khazar Kaganate, the Battle of Kulikovo in 1380 and the fight against heresies appear in a new light... The “special” sections of the book may be of interest to those who set themselves the task of studying Russian history in all its prerequisites and manifestations in the most thorough manner.