The book of the Russian publicist Vasily Vasilyevich Vodovozov (1864-1933) tells about an outstanding statesman of the late XIX century. - beginning of the XX century. Otto Yulievich Witte. The great reformer, who rapidly ascended the political Olympus, the brilliant high-ranking dignitary O. Yu. Witte had a huge impact on both the internal and foreign policies of the empire. He left behind memoirs, the fate of which in itself is extremely interesting, as the reader learns from the introductory article. Witte's memoirs clarify the conditions and environment in which his activities proceeded, tell about personal motives and considerations that guided him, reveal his spiritual essence. In addition, in the records the reader will find characteristic portraits of the most prominent persons of the empire - Emperor Nicholas II, Grand Dukes, statesmen V.K. Pleve and P.A. Stolypin and many, many others. Bright sketches of the author will help to make an idea of ​ ​ the morals that prevailed at court and in the government.