When Stars and Stripes Met Hammer and Sickle tells the story of face-to-face citizen diplomacy that brought together Americans and Soviets during the closing years of the cold war. Looking specifically at five conferences held between 1985 and 1989, Ross Mackenzie recounts the experiences of artists, diplomats, government officials, and interested citizens who joined together for a unique mix of political debates, artistic performances, open discussions, and socialization. Sponsored by the Chautauqua Institution, a center for arts, education, religion, and recreation in western New York,...