The most mysterious episodes from Russia's early history are unearthed and examined in this study which is drawn from ancient chronicles and preserved documents from Russia, Greece, Byzantium and the Vatican library.

The most mysterious episodes from Russia's early history are unearthed and examined in this study which is drawn from ancient chronicles and preserved documents from Russia, Greece, Byzantium and the Vatican library.

Scholarly analysis and narrative flair combine to give both the facts and the flavor of the battle scenes as well as of the espionage milieu: the establishment of the secret services in Kievan Rus, and the heroes and systems of intelligence and counter-intelligence in the 10th - 12th centuries, including the times of Vladimir.

"A colorful and interesting way to approach the sources of early Russian history, which otherwise can be deadly dull. The writing is lively, the 'scholarly apparatus' is not intrusive yet is sufficient for the moderately informed reader. The genealogical chart is helpful. The translation is skillful and mostly avoids the awkwardness that might arise from the specialized Greek and Russian social, political and military terminology."

- Michael Brainerd, PhD President, CEC International Partners
Former Russian History Professor, Middlebury College