Remarkable People of Ancient Rus

A history of Russia told through the destinies of the brightest figures of the native pantheon. After all, the most interesting part of history is the people who made it.

The focus is on Boris Akunin, author of the multi-volume “History of the Russian State,” and on those exceptional personalities who, due to circumstances and human qualities, seem to radiate a light that has not faded even in our time.

“Illumination of History” is a literary-historical experiment. Each volume will include both historical essays and works of fiction novellas.

“Bright People of Ancient Rus” consists of twelve essays and twelve novellas about twelve people—without whom today’s Russia would have been somewhat different, and in some cases, even completely different.