The book is devoted to the peasant reform of 1861. A large factual material gives the socio-economic characteristics of Russia in the first half of the 19th century, covers the preparation of the reform, analyzes the "Regulations" in detail on February 19, 1861. The main attention is paid to the issue of implementing the reform: drawing up statutory letters, concluding redemption acts and the class struggle of the peasantry in the early 60s. Along with this, the reform of state and specific peasants is covered, as well as the conditions for the abolition of serfdom in Transcaucasia, the Caucasus and Bessarabia.