Book cover of Ice War Diplomat: Hockey Meets Cold War Politics at the 1972 Summit Series

Book description

Discover a diplomacy mission like no other in Ice War Diplomat, the behind-the-scenes story of the historic 1972 Summit Series.

Amid the tension of the Cold War, caught between capitalism and communism, Canada and the Soviet Union, young Canadian diplomat Gary J. Smith must navigate the rink, melting the ice…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked Ice War Diplomat as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

If you’re a Canadian over sixty, then you remember where you were when Paul Henderson scored the winning goal in the final game of a tense eight-match hockey series that pitted Canada against the Soviet Union at the height of the Cold War.

The moment was later featured on a postage stamp. As a junior Canadian diplomat serving in Moscow, Gary Smith – a keen amateur hockey player in his own right – played a key role in putting the series together.

This is a fast-paced, colorful read – with fascinating vignettes of diplomatic life in the Moscow of those…

If you love Ice War Diplomat...

Book cover of These Blue Mountains

These Blue Mountains by Sarah Loudin Thomas,

A moving story of love, betrayal, and the enduring power of hope in the face of darkness.

German pianist Hedda Schlagel's world collapsed when her fiancé, Fritz, vanished after being sent to an enemy alien camp in the United States during the Great War. Fifteen years later, in 1932, Hedda…

Want books like Ice War Diplomat?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Ice War Diplomat.

Browse books like Ice War Diplomat

Book cover of The Ever-Dying People?: Canada's Jews in Comparative Perspective
Book cover of K Blows Top: A Cold War Comic Interlude, Starring Nikita Khrushchev, America's Most Unlikely Tourist
Book cover of Unwanted Visionaries: The Soviet Failure in Asia at the End of the Cold War

Share your top 3 reads of 2025!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,340

readers submitted
so far, will you?

📚 If you like Ice War Diplomat, you might also like...

Book cover of Miami Beat

Miami Beat by Jorge E. Goyanes,

Jose Castillo is a cynical, wise-cracking Cuban-American who restores classic cars. He’s also a private eye whose sarcastic ways sometimes get him into trouble.

One day, in the process of installing a four-barrel carburetor on a 1965 Mustang, into his shop walks trouble—in the shape of a mysterious, beautiful woman…

Book cover of Bruce Songs: The Music of Bruce Springsteen, Album-by-Album, Song-by-Song

Bruce Songs by Kenneth Womack,

Bruce Songs is an authoritative guide that offers an in-depth exploration of Bruce Springsteen's musical legacy. Covering Springsteen's entire discography, from "Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J." to "Only the Strong Survive", this unique book combines historical context, literary analysis, and meticulous research.

Unlike any other resource, it provides detailed analyses…

5 book lists we think you will like!