The evolution of Russia from Peter I to Paul I would seem to be the same story that everyone knows. But in the book of Yaroslav Kesler and D.V. Kalyuzhny this story... another. The authors show the Russian XVIII century from the point of view of the development of statehood, as well as the eternal discrepancy between the interests of the highest elite and the interests of the country. The "brilliant" century of Catherine II is actually a failure, and the short reign of Paul I appears truly great. The book is read with thrilling interest. For a wide range of readers.