"I had all but forgotten Samantha Smith but here she is again -- a refreshing dose of idealism revived in a cynical age. The American schoolgirl who exchanged letters with Soviet leader, Yuri Andropov. And who is it who brings the story back to life? A one-time Soviet schoolgirl, now herself an American and the author of this lovely book. Nice!"--Ted Koppel, journalist, anchor "In this timely biography, Lena Nelson reminds us that all politics is personal, and that each of us can make the world a better place." --Laurie LaBar, Chief Curator of History and Decorative Arts, Maine State Library and Museum "In 1982, ten-year-old Samantha Smith inspired millions of people around the world when she wrote a letter to Soviet leader Yuri Andropov and made a passionate plea for peace at the height of Cold War nuclear tensions. Lena Nelson's book America's Youngest Ambassador, chronicling Samantha's remarkable and improbable journey couldn't be more timely for the world we are living in today, eerily reminiscent of 1983, with escalating nuclear dangers, and a growing sense of fear and despair. Telling Samantha's story now can once again inspire millions of people to act, as they did in the 1980s, to back us away from the brink of nuclear war. A timely and critically important book that will inspire millions of people around the world today, just as Samantha did in the 1980s.

" --Cynthia Lazaroff, award-winning documentary filmmaker, author, expert on US-Russian relations "Samantha Smith, Sam to me, was one of the most remarkable young women I have ever met. She will always be in my heart and I feel that this book will capture that aspect of her personality. You will enjoy the story of this outstanding young woman." --Robert Wagner, actor, author "I was the granddaughter of The Soviet Ambassador to the United States in Washington DC, Anatoly Dobrynin, and had the pleasure of welcoming Samantha to our Embassy in 1984. She struck me as a very mature and determined girl! For such a young age she managed to change the minds and lives of so many people around the world! Her life was so tragically cut short; I can imagine how much more she could have done to help bring peace and understanding between our countries! She will be forever remembered as the youngest Goodwill Ambassador who tried to help bring our nations closer in this turbulent world!" --Ekaterina Dobrynina, granddaughter of Anatoly Dobrynin, the Soviet Ambassador to the US (1962 - 1986).