The new book by R. Balandin and S. Mironov analyzes the most important socio-political and ideological crises in Russian history. Riots, civil wars, coups, or, in other words, “turmoil” shook the foundations of statehood, economics and morality of Rus' – Russia – the USSR. The countdown begins with the feudal war of the first half of the 15th century, and especially with the Great Troubles of the early 17th century, and ends with the “catastrophe” of the 80-90s. XX century Even a cursory glance at the thousand-year history of our Motherland with a closer look at the troubled eras leads to disappointing conclusions. Of course, the life of states is not complete without disasters. But the trouble is that it is still happening, i.e. in the stubborn reluctance of rulers to understand and take into account state interests and in the passivity of the people. At one time, N.A. Berdyaev emphasized: “Russia faces a fatal dilemma. One has to make a choice between greatness, a great mission, great deeds and complete insignificance, historical apostasy, non-existence. There is no middle, “modest” path for Russia.” I don’t want to think that the choice has already been made...