The book of Jack A. Goldstone, a leading specialist in the field of historical macrosociology and one of the founders of cliodynamics, is devoted to describing the structure, causes and results of revolutions - these key events in the development of society, their transition from monarchies, empires and dictatorships, personalist regimes to a democratic form of government. The author critically analyzes the main modern theories of revolutions and offers his own vision of this problem field. He accompanies the presentation of the theory with capacious and vivid paintings of revolutions of various eras - the Ancient World, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the Reformation, New and Modern times, ending the book with a short forecast regarding the future of revolutions. The book is designed for the widest reader interested in the theory and history of revolutions.