The "fall" of Poland, as the famous Russian historian outlined the theme of his book, was a tragic and natural phenomenon in its own way. It can be interpreted in two ways, and it is difficult to decide which of the meanings would be more accurate: "legal", since we are talking about the so-called third partition of Poland, or moral, since the Poles themselves did everything to make it happen. The events of the 18th century are presented to the reader in a broad historical context, and constant reference to primary sources and eyewitness accounts recreates the unique atmosphere of a turbulent era.