Chapter 20 Summary

Khrushchev does not let Chinese charges of adventurism and capitulation spoil his claim to victory in an impassioned speech before the Supreme Soviet. Moscow hails him for saving the world from thermonuclear destruction, but the Presidium feels humiliated, particularly when Kennedy drags his heels on concessions and tries to up the ante. Castro is livid about not being consulted and being blamed for proposing a nuclear first strike. He places five conditions on reconciliation with the Soviets that Khrushchev cannot deliver. To mollify his "surrogate son," Khrushchev sends Mikoyan to Havana. Mikoyan's wife dies in his absence and Khrushchev's failure to attend her funeral leaves a bitter taste in his old allies' mouth. It does not help Khrushchev's mood that JFK in private and Americans at large. quite openly crow about throwing him out of Cuba. Having learned bluff and bluster do not...