Chapter 5 Summary

The academy, to which Khrushchev enrolls in 1929, is responsible for turning experienced proletarians into socialist executives through three years of study. Like most applicants, Khrushchev arrives not only under-prepared academically, but also too old to be taught. Throwing himself into political activity may be a defense mechanism to keep him from failing academically. In 1930 the party tests Khrushchev by asking him to sign a letter to Pravda. He does so and quickly advances into the leadership, where he does anything necessary to expel "deviationist" students. Khrushchev begins working closely with chemistry student Nadezhda Alliluyeva. Khrushchev considers Alliluyeva his "lucky lottery ticket," because few people know she is Stalin's wife. It is also easier on his ego to attribute success to her than to Kaganovich.

In 1930, Khrushchev takes control of the party in Bauman, the smallest of Moscow's ten districts. He shows skill purging...