The library of the project “History of the Russian State” is the best monuments of world literature recommended by Boris Akunin, which reflect the biography of our country, from its very origins. We present the novel by Lev Zhdanov, a well-known fiction writer before the revolution, who won reader recognition with his historical research, invested into entertaining and dramatic narratives. His Ivan IV could remain for centuries as the most enlightened and pious ruler of Russia, but life in a constant struggle for power amid intrigue and bloody violence taught the crowned student a merciless lesson - the king is not allowed to be merciful. And Rus' received a different autocrat, whom his contemporaries called Ivan the Tormentor with horror, and his descendants called the Terrible.