This book is the first in a series written by N. Ya. Eidelman specifically for young people. The narrative about the “eighteenth century” is based on an analysis of the most interesting events (the constant struggle for the throne, the development of Kamchatka and the Kuril Islands, the Pugachev rebellion) and vivid portraits of heroes, participants in the historical process - Elizabeth and Catherine II, Paul I, A. Radishchev, Prince M. Shcherbatov ... The author pays special attention to the behind-the-scenes side of history - the secrets of palace coups. The winners are known to everyone, but the fate of the victims is not known to everyone...