Gift of words and fearlessness—few of the modern publicists are ready to give us such a rare double gift. Lev Rubinstein, poet, critic, and the conscience of our time, has spoken with us honestly for many years. His text appearing in one edition or another is a sign of quality: an edition’s ability to live against the current winds that don’t smell so pleasant. This collection consists of columns written by Rubinstein over several years for “Grani,” “Bolshoi gorod,” Esquire, and others—read by him himself.