Among the military-historical and memoir literature dedicated to the First World War and the events in Russia in 1917-1922, the memoirs of Alexei Alekseevich Brusilov (1853-1926) occupy a special place. Brusilov is the “author” of a brilliant breakthrough from a military-strategic point of view, named after him... 1916. The mood prevailing in the Russian army can be characterized in one word - despondency. The worst thing is that passivity and indecision primarily gripped those who were put in charge of the army and led millions of people. Fortunately, not everyone. When talking about the events of the summer of 1916, the word “for the first time” is often used: for the first time, a strategic offensive was carried out in conditions of trench warfare; for the first time the front was broken through by simultaneous attacks in several sectors; it was the first time that consistent concentrations of fire were used to support an attack. And most importantly: for the first time, after more than a year of retreats, a military leader was found who had not forgotten how to think strategically. History, as we know, does not know the subjunctive mood. But in the case of the Brusilov breakthrough, one cannot do without “if”. If Alexey Alekseevich Brusilov had not been left alone, if he had been supported, the victory over Germany would have taken place already in 1916, which means the course of Russian and world history would have been different. But Brusilov is not only a brilliant breakthrough named after him. In the summer of 1917, having become Supreme Commander-in-Chief, he could again save the country from an impending disaster. But the then leadership of Russia did not need decisive people. During the years of revolutions and unrest, everyone had to make difficult choices. Brusilov, due to his religious and moral convictions, did not want to take either side in the fratricidal war. And he joined the Red Army already when the war essentially ceased to be civil and it was a question of repelling foreign intervention. “I consider it the duty of every citizen not to abandon his people and live with them, no matter what the cost,” these are the words of a true Russian officer. What didn’t save you from mental anguish and questions that were never answered: “My Lord!.. Where is Russia, where is my country, the former army?” Electronic publication of the memoirs of A. A. Brusilov includes the full text of the paper book and a selected part illustrative documentary material. And for true connoisseurs of gift editions, we offer a classic book. Like all publications in the “Great Commanders” series, the book is provided with detailed historical and biographical comments; The text is accompanied by hundreds of photographs and illustrations from Russian and foreign periodicals of the period described, many of which the modern reader will become familiar with for the first time. Beautiful printing, original design, the best offset paper - all this makes the books of the “Great Commanders” gift series the best gift for a man for all occasions.