Even the funniest and most absurd rumors have roots in everyday life. Whether it's envy, a way to explain the unknown, or a cunning tool of control, if you don't like someone, it's time to spread some nasty gossip about them! At least, that's how they sometimes did it in the Russian Empire.

To this day, we hear amazing stories born from gossip. Just imagine how much was discussed at that time, and how easily people could believe it all!

Illustrator Katya Gushchina and historian Andrey Aksyonov have an advantage over our ancestors - a distance from the verbal fuss that allows them to calmly reconstruct history, confirm or refute rumors about Russian emperors from Peter I to Nicholas II.

But, despite this, the authors remind us that all the rulers, scientists, writers, military leaders and people of past centuries are in fact still a very living present.

5 reasons to buy the book 'Rumors in the Empire':

• This book is not a collection of unexpected historical facts, but a fascinating guide into the thick of events of the Russian Empire, which will introduce you to all the heroes of that time - peasants and nobles, writers, officials and emperors - to find out what news really worried them;
• But be careful, rumors can be too interesting and often confusing. 'Rumors in the Empire' is a reminder that every piece of gossip or false news is beneficial to someone;
• The text was written by Andrey Aksyonov, author of the popular historical podcasts 'The Decline of an Empire' and 'Time and Money.' Andrey will explain why this or that rumor turned out to be true or a cunning fabrication;
• The pictures were drawn by Katya Gushchina, an artist from Nizhny Novgorod. The book tells the story not only through the text, but also through voluminous illustrations with thousands of important details: clothing, food, buildings, balls and meetings - examining the life of the Russian Empire, you can notice something new every time;
• By the way, about Katya and Andrey - they will be hiding on every spread (otherwise, how could they have drawn and eavesdropped on everything), you need to find them! They hide well. Like every truth, it's hidden behind rumors and a ton of news.