The features of an autobiographical narrative allows the reader to trace not only the main stages of the life path of the hero of the story, but also to get a more complete picture of the events of the past, when the desire inevitably arises to agree, and in some ways disagree with the author’s vision and perception of events, people, features of the formation of new foundations of Russian statehood. The rather voluminous narrative of the author about the work of the First Congress of People’s Deputies of the RSFSR, where he was elected chairman of the Committee of the Supreme Soviet of the RSFSR on legislation, deserves attention. By virtue of his position, he also became a member of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the RSFSR, which was headed by B.N. Yeltsin. Constant communication with the head of the Russian parliament helped to form a clear idea among the author of the memoirs and his colleagues, which made it possible to convince B.N. Yeltsin of the need to adopt the law on a referendum as the first practical step of the new parliament. It is obvious that such a decision made it possible to overcome many negative consequences that were the result of unprecedented political processes that took place in society in the early 1990 s. in the last century. The creation of a mechanism for holding referendums allowed the head of state to largely maintain control over the development of the situation in the country. We note the simple language of narration that is accessible to the reader, the book contains the author's assessments of legal battles that are tough in their content, emotionally colored political clashes, capacious, but at the same time objective characteristics of statesmen and public figures are given. It can be said that the author, with his work, became a forerunner for those who dare to write such memoirs, especially when it comes to such a difficult period, which began with the events of thirty years ago