It is accepted to regard fossil coals as a result of transformation of former peatbogs accumulated autoctonously in swampy conditions what is not true. In the book, the notion about allochtonous phytomass accumulation at formation of overwhelming majority of seam-like coal deposits is substantiated. An alternative version of the theory of rhythmical sedimentation of coal-bearing series, where leading role belongs not to wavelike movements of the sedimentation area, but to pulsing lifting of wash-out areas, is suggested. The edition is of interest for specialists in coal geology, lithology,...