About the book: 2014 / I chose the topic of the defense of Osovets for work, because this is one of the most glorious deeds of the Russian army, not only in the First World War, but also beyond the entire history of our Fatherland. In addition, unfortunately, the feat has been forgotten (not many people know about it, mostly specialists and amateurs in the field of military history), and neglecting the laurels of our ancestors is self-abasement and self-destruction. Not a single work of fiction has been written about the heroic defense of the Russian fortress, except for a short dialogue in “The Evil Spirit” by Valentin Pikul, despite the fact that the author changed the name of Commandant Osovets. All the events of my story, including the attack that has become a legend, are reliable, with the exception of small details . Also, my speculation is the first award of Lieutenant Vladimir Kotlinsky. All names are real, except for the German envoy, the head of the fortress's sapper unit and the forgotten sentry, whose name was consigned to oblivion. I dedicate this story to him. I hope that my work will duly honor the memory of the valiant defenders of the fortress.