The dispute between Normanists and anti-Normanists has not subsided for almost three centuries. Such scientists as M. Lomonosov, D. Ilovaisky, S. Gedeonov, A. Gilferding took part in it. In the twentieth century, S. Lesnoy, A. Kuzmin, and L. Grot joined the dispute. And here is another book - a blow to the Norman theory - by our famous contemporary, Mikhail Zadornov, dedicated to the issues of the origin of Prince Rurik and Russian statehood. Being a satirist, Zadornov looked at Normanism from a humorous point of view. But the talent of a thinker also allowed him to see where to look for the origins of Rus'.