cover image Citizen Diplomats: Pathfinders in Soviet-American Relations and How You Can Join Them

Citizen Diplomats: Pathfinders in Soviet-American Relations and How You Can Join Them

Gale Warner. Continuum, $19.95 (381pp) ISBN 978-0-8264-0382-7

It's one thing to tour the Soviet Union, and quite another to become a ""citizen diplomat,'' who deliberately tries to improve Soviet-American relations through people-to-people dialogues, explain the authors. They describe the efforts of nine diverse Americans to break stereotypic ``us and them'' thinking, spread information and influence leaders on both sides of the Cold War. These unofficial diplomats range from writer Norman Cousins and businessman Armand Hammer to lawyer-biker Christopher Senie (who organized ``Bike for Peace'') and agrarian banker John Chrystal. The authors (Warner is a journalist, Shuman is president of the Center for Innovative Diplomacy in California) explore the rewards, difficulties and controversy associated with such work, and offer a rundown of resources and agencies. Photos not seen by PW. Major ad/promo; first serial to Parade; author tour. (March 31)