How Steel Was Tempered was a classic novel about a young man from a poor family who worked hard to become an outstanding engineer and entrepreneur during the Soviet Union's industrial construction period. The novel centered on the protagonist, Pavel Kochagin, describing many important events in his growth, including his study at Kazan Polytechnical Institute, his internship in the factory, his political struggles during the Stalinist period, and his military experiences in the 1930s and early 1940s. Through the growth of Kochagin, the novel shows the readers how an ordinary person can achieve self-redemption and growth through hard work and perseverance in the turbulent period. The novel was widely regarded as a classic inspirational novel that inspired readers to maintain courage and confidence in the face of setbacks in life.