Khrushchev's climb to the top in the Communist Party, a dissection of his career and public characteristics.

The cradle -- The finishing school -- Watching the master -- Early trials and triumphs -- Purge and deification -- The reward -- The precipice -- Ruse, death, and change -- Forward surge -- Murder -- Concentric attack -- Political pacifier -- Pinya at the summit -- The bomb -- The storm -- The unsinkable ship -- Arts and arms -- Leadership -- What manner of captain? -- The Achilles heel.