The Great Troubles of the 17th century swept through Russian civilization like a fiery broom, sweeping away rubbish from everywhere and scorching it. Russia has experienced monstrous upheavals and severe devastation, Russia has washed itself in blood. But the terrible years of the Troubles elevated many major statesmen, brilliant military leaders. This book is about Russian commanders, forged in the fiery crucible of the Troubles and who became soldiers of the kingdom, who protected the new royal dynasty, the Romanovs, from the fall.