The Battle of Poltava became the largest battle of the Northern War, which determined the future fate of Russia and Sweden. Peter walked to this brilliant victory along a long and difficult path. A brutal struggle for power, the transformation of the state and army, two Azov campaigns, the Treaty of Constantinople and... the lost battle of Narva - all these are milestones in the history of Russia and the formation of Peter I as a statesman and commander. The book tells about his victories and defeats, comrades and enemies , about the background and course of the Northern War.