Heroes of the book V.I. Lesin - rebels of the "mad and wise" of the 18th century: ataman Kondraty Bulavin, impostor Emelyan Pugachev and Colonel of the retinue of Paul I Evgraf Gruzinov, executed for thoughts "inclined to the destruction of the supreme power." What unites these historical figures so different in importance and scale? Why is their rebellious spirit guessed in the heroes and villains of subsequent eras of Russian history? Answering these questions, the author refuses the traditional interpretation of events and often opposes generally accepted opinions.