Peter the Great

The novel Peter the Great is dedicated to a pivotal period in Russian history when young Russia was maturing with the genius of Peter - the greatest Russian emperor and reformer, a figure as significant as he is controversial. The novel depicts the most important events of that time - the Streltsy rebellion, the Azov campaigns, the Grand Embassy, the battle of Narva...

Perhaps the main virtue of this book is that all historical figures, and foremost Peter I, are portrayed as living people. 

This is not just a historical chronicle, it is a novel about morals, about the life of ordinary people, their views on reforms, their understanding of loyalty and service. The book served as the basis for the famous film Peter the Great starring Nikolai Simonov in the lead role.