The book by the famous director and actor Nikita Mikhalkov is a wonderful example of vivid autobiographical prose. Private life and creativity are inextricably intertwined here. Starting with his own family tree (the author’s ancestors included the associates of Dmitry Donskoy and Ermak, the boyars of Ivan the Terrible and Vasily Surikov), Nikita Mikhalkov moves on to memories of his mother, father, the author of the anthem of the USSR and the new Russia. An interesting story of a relationship with his older brother, a famous film director, is followed by a story about his children - Anya, Nadya, Stepan, Artem. New, sometimes unexpected for the reader, facets in the author’s fate are revealed by his confidential story about many episodes of his personal life. About mutual feelings and dramatic breakup with Anastasia Vertinskaya and lifelong love for his wife Tatyana. About his service in the army in the Pacific Ocean and Kamchatka... And, of course, about his roles and directorial works.