A new book by the famous historian B. Sokolov talks about the partisan movement as a complex, largely contradictory phenomenon that became an integral part of the Second World War. The author examines the features of guerrilla warfare, primarily on the territory of the Soviet Union, as well as in European countries. The book describes both the strategy and tactics of the partisans and their opponents, as well as the political characteristics, social and national basis of the partisan movement. The author tried to answer the question to what extent and how the partisans influenced the course of hostilities in various theaters of war.