Abstract
The article reviews the monograph by the famous Ukrainian scientist Viktor Danylenko, devoted to the study of the life and activity of a prominent Ukrainian and Russian scientist, philosopher and thinker, public and political figure Volodymyr Ivanovych Vernadskyi. Based on the study of a wide source base and available special literature, the author tries to show the world-famous scientist not as a supporter of political ideals, but a man who lived by science, which served the true ideals of mankind. At the same time, the author points out both the exceptional integrity of his personality and its complexity and contradictions.