Chapter 7 Summary

The "Great Patriotic War" will consume 27 million Soviet citizens, and millions more will perish in postwar camps for having fallen into German hands. Paradoxically, Soviets will remember this as a time when the nation pulled together against a real foe. Stalin uses nationalism and religion to rally the population, and people dare hope for a better life. Being in the thick of things, Khrushchev is changed by war.

As chief political commissar on a series of crucial fronts, Khrushchev countersigns every military order. He has a voice in any operational matters he demands. Khrushchev envies his colleagues' access to Stalin, but considers them "ciphers" in the war effort. He is named a lieutenant general in 1943. Before being honored for victories at Stalingrad and Kursk, Khrushchev contributes to disastrous defeats at Kiev and Kharkov. Evaluations of Khrushchev's military prowess range from satisfactory to zero...