Writer, thinker, revolutionary, scientist, publicist, founder of Russian uncensored book printing, the founder of political emigration in Russia, Alexander Ivanovich Herzen (Iskander) for almost sixteen years worked on his main work the autobiographical novel “Former and Dumas” .. The author himself called this book a confession, "about which gathered ... there to stop thoughts from the Duma" .. But in reality, Herzen, having shown artistic talent, depth of thought, subtle psychological analysis, created a real encyclopedia reflecting the life, manners, social, literary and political life of Russia of the mid-19th century. The novel “Former and Dumas” a mirror of human life and society is recognized as a masterpiece of world memoir literature. The book includes selected chapters from the novel.