About the book: 2016 / In February 1861, Alexander II abolished serfdom in Russia. 155 years have passed since then, but disputes have not subsided to this day: what was the serfdom system for our country - an inevitable evil or an original path of development? The book presented to your attention provides a detailed history of serfdom in Russia, written by Mikhail Shevchenko, the largest specialist in agricultural and social relations. The author shows why serfdom arose in Russia, what its essence is and what stages it went through from its inception to its fall, inclusive. An extensive preface to the book was written by the famous sociologist, historian and publicist Sergei Kara-Murza, and as an Appendix there is a large article by the classic of Russian sociology and economics Alexander Chayanov on the same topic.