The defense of Moscow is a story of incredible courage and self-sacrifice. But, according to Leonid Mlechin, it is also a story of how inept and cowardly leaders almost surrendered the city to the enemy. The cruel reality of war dragged them down from the podiums, squeezed them out of the spacious offices from where they ruled the country and the city. October 16, 1941 became a day of shame for Moscow. It was the day when the authorities, thinking only about their own salvation, practically abandoned the capital to its fate. Much that is connected with this day is still kept secret. Very few were punished for cowardice, a crime in wartime. And in general, not those who almost surrendered the city. In Leonid Mlechin's book, you will find the answer to the question of why most of the documents related to the autumn of 1941 have not been opened in the Moscow party archive.