From 1973 to 1982, four books by S. Khentova about D. Shostakovich were published - the dilogy "The Young Years of Shostakovich," the study "D. D. Shostakovich during the Great Patriotic War" and "Shostakovich Thirty Years, 1945-1975" were highly appreciated in numerous press reviews and readers. The publication was partially prepared during the composer's lifetime, with his approval and with his help on April 24, 1975, D. Shostakovich wrote to the author "Heartfelt thanks to you for your enormous work. I read with excitement."