EN
The review essay is focused on some topics of the Tsarist Russia history, based on the recently published 'The Cambridge History of Russia'. The article is concerned with the discussions about the transformation of Muscovy into the autocratic dynastic state in 15th and 16th centuries, with the relationship between the state and its people in the 17th century. The second part is devoted to the imperial period (1689-1917) and it discusses the connection between the foreign policy, building of the empire and the nationality policy. It deals also the dilemma of the Russian state with the question of reforms and modernization in the second half of the 19th century.