The well-known general begins the artless story the childhood. He with gratitude writes about the parents. The narration about Junkersky school in Kiev and the first years of service of the young officer is not less fascinating. The particular interest causes its story about fights in the Russian-Japanese war and work on reorganisation of Army after returning to Russia. Other important theme of this book is the First World War in which the general has taken direct part, ordering «the Iron division» on the austrian and romanian fronts.