The book of Viktor Berdinsky, a famous Russian historian, author of three dozen scientific and popular books on Russian history and culture, was created, in some way, in continuation of the well-known wonderful book by Yu. M. Lotman "Conversations on Russian Culture." But, unlike the studies of an outstanding culturologist, Professor Berdinsky's book is devoted to the history and culture of the 20th century. He turned to the striking pages of the history of Russian book, Russian poetry of the 20th century, peasant civilization in Russia, Russian national character, building a people's life.