The book of V.T. Pashuto in a popular form sets out the political history of North-Eastern Russia in the 13th century. Focusing his attention on the most talented representative of grand-ducal power - Alexander Nevsky - the author covers in detail the struggle of the Russian people against German-Swedish aggression to the east, inspired by the papal curia. A significant place in the book is given to the struggle of Russia against the Mongol-Tatar invaders.