The book is dedicated to the history of the Russian state during the Troubles at the beginning of the 17th century. Based on extensive documentary material, the author analyzes the political struggle and the history of mass popular uprisings at the climax of the civil war - the period of the uprising led by Ivan Bolotnikov, clarifies the main milestones of the uprising, the role of various social strata, including the nobility, the importance of peasant and Cossack uprisings. The book provides detailed biographical information about the impostors, Tsar Vasily Shuisky and other historical figures of the beginning of the 17th century.