The book by the famous Ukrainian historian reveals the personal life, state, military and political activities of the Hetman of Ukraine Ivan Stepanovych Mazepa (1639-1709). Myths and legends about this extraordinary personality were composed during his lifetime, because Mazepa belonged to people whose worldviews were formed in the conditions of the political culture of the late Baroque era. In view of this, the Hetman did not differ in anything special from other rulers of "small" European states, because in the conditions of a fierce war between the Russian Tsar Peter I and the Swedish King Charles XII, he tried to improve his position of power and the political status of his homeland - "the womb of the poor, the Fatherland of dear Ukraine."