The book of international journalist and political scientist Arsen Melik-Shakhnazarov tells about the origins and emergence of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in 1918-1921. its slow decay during the Soviet period and "fire" in 1988, shortly after the announcement of the perestroika policy by the leadership of the USSR. The development of the conflict between the Armenian people of Nagorno-Karabakh and the nationalist leadership of the Azerbaijan SSR in 1988-1991 is considered in detail and in stages, until the collapse of the USSR and the withdrawal of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic proclaimed in September 1991 from the former AzSSR. The periods of hostilities of 1991-1994. and the post-war situation in the region, the activity of Turkey and its special services throughout the conflict.