About the book: 2007 / February 21, 1613 Mikhail Romanov was elected to the throne. A sixteen-year-old boy founded one of the great dynasties. After 300 years, it included 60 people, and four years later it lost its throne. The 18th century was decisive in the formation of the Romanov dynasty. In this century, according to Pushkin: “Russia entered Europe like a ship launched from the stocks, with the sound of an ax and the thunder of cannons.” In this century, Russia became a European power, firmly taking its place in the alliance of other states and loudly declaring itself as about a great and powerful country. The Great Empire was not only its territory and natural potential, but above all its spiritual power, the highest culture and the remarkable rise of scientific thought.