The topic of the book offered to readers may seem at first glance quite scandalous. However, it is dictated not so much by an interest in alcove stories in the highest spheres of state power, but by a problem: did it really, as it usually seems, all the favorites and favorites of the thrones had a great influence on state and public affairs, and of a negative nature? How did they perform in historical conditions? Which of them and what influence did he have on state policy? What contribution did the favorites make to the development of the country and in defense of it from external enemies? And finally, how did favoritism under the Russian throne differ from favoritism at the royal courts of Western Europe? The book was published in the author's edition.