÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷The well-known representative of the “literature of fact” Nikolai Zenkovich for the first time in Russia historiography compiled a chronicle of the life of M.S. Gorbachev before his election to the post of General Secretary of the CPSU Central Committee. The book contains many little-known facts about the Stavropol period of his activities, family roots, work in the Komsomol and party bodies of the region. Who gave M.S. Gorbachev's recommendation for joining the CPSU? Who sat with him in the same office at the initial stages of his Komsomol and party career? What was the future fate of these people? What results did the future Secretary General and President achieve during his 23 years of leadership in the region? The reader will learn a lot of new things from the chapters that tell about the activities of M.S. Gorbachev as an “ordinary” Secretary of the Central Committee and a member of the Politburo. p>