The book by sea captain, USSR State Prize laureate, Honorary Polar Explorer G.D. Burkov is dedicated to little-known pages of the heroic defense of the Arctic during the Great Patriotic War, which in terms of their contribution to the defeat of Nazi Germany can be compared with the heroic defense of Leningrad and with the Battle of Stalingrad. Of particular interest is the description of the work of the Soviet transport fleet and polar stations during the war, details of the security of ships during passages in the Arctic, and the interaction of ships of the USSR Navy and allied ships. The book is given special value by the copies of documents from the leaders of the USSR and the command of the Navy during the war, given as illustrations. Of great interest are reference data on the ships that participated in the defense of the Arctic, their movements, the places where military and civilian ships were lost, and the actions of enemy submarines along the Northern Sea Route. Second edition, revised and expanded.