In the memoirs of the specialist in Russian history L. Sigelbaum, the story of himself and his academic career is intertwined in a fascinating way with the story of the major events of the twentieth century. The reader will be presented with descriptions of the difficulties and doubts inherent in any young scientist, and student unrest during the Vietnam War, and the struggle against ideology and its consequences for the private life of an individual, and the Cold War and detente, and the collapse of the Soviet Union. "The story contained the truth," the author writes. - This truth spoke of simple but heroic workers fighting for their liberation from slavery and the rule of capital, of the FBI pursuing Paul Robson, Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, of the martyrdom of Rosa Luxemburg and other communists, of the crimes of imperialism, especially American imperialism. Discovering the hidden truths of history has become my mission.' It is addressed to a wide range of readers. Lews H. Sigelbaum is a professor at the University of Michigan, teaching Russian and European history since 1983. Specialist in the history of labor relations, the history of consumption, and material culture in the Soviet Union. Author of dozens of scientific articles and several books, co-author of the authoritative Internet portal "Seventeen Moments of Soviet History".