This work investigates the mechanisms of power and the internal political dynamics within the Soviet leadership during the transition from the Khrushchev era. The author, Michel Tatu, a seasoned journalist who served as a correspondent in Moscow, utilizes his extensive observations and analysis of Soviet political behavior to map the shifting alliances and power struggles within the Kremlin. The text provides a detailed examination of how policy decisions were formulated and implemented amidst the rigid, often opaque, structures of the Communist Party hierarchy.

The subject matter points to a dense, specialist text that serves as a primary historical record for understanding the internal mechanics of the Soviet state during the mid-20th century. The framing suggests an authoritative, analytical approach intended for scholars and students of Cold War history.