In this book, the famous prose writer Alexander Melikhov appears before the reader as an independent critic - one of the few who has not turned into a tool for advertising or promoting some literary group. He draws attention to worthy but undervalued writers and systematically debunks inflated reputations, without stopping before any authorities. He pits different authors and dissimilar books against each other within the framework of one essay, which is invariably bright, accurate and surprising with its novelty of views, even when it comes to classics and modern stars. “The Past and Books” sets milestones and gives answers to the questions of what to read, why to read and how to read.