Abstract
The review analyzes the provisions and conclusions of a collective monograph created by historians of a number scientific centers of the country, which contains a comprehensive description of the processes of formation of the southern and southeastern frontier of the Moscow state and the Russian Empire during the XVII-XVIII centuries. Attention is drawn to the authors understanding of the controversial concept of the frontier, its proximity to the traditional concept of the colonization outskirts in Russian historiography. The authors conclusion about the diversity of frontier territories noted. It is emphasized, that in the monograph, based on a combination of logical and historical research methods, characteristic songs and features of the internal life and situation of the population of these territories are revealed. It is traced that, based on the use of fractal research methods, the process of gradual convergence of life in these territories with the life of the metropolis has been revealed. The general conclusion is made about a very successful study on the monograph of the complex process of annexation suburbs to Russia.