Georgy Zhukov’s rise from a shoemaker’s son to the Soviet Union’s most decorated military leader was forged in the fires of total war. After defending Moscow in 1941, he helped mastermind the decisive encirclement at Stalingrad. His orchestration of the final, colossal assault on Berlin involved multiple Soviet fronts and culminated in the city's capture. However, his immense postwar popularity made him a perceived threat to Stalin and other Soviet leaders. Following a brief stint as Defense Min