From 1950 to 1960, millions of Americans throughout the United States willingly and enthusiastically participated in Radio Free Europe’s “Crusade for Freedom.” They signed “Freedom Scrolls” and “Freedom Grams,” participated in fund-raising dinners and lunches, attended Crusader meetings, marched in parades, launched leaflet-carrying balloons, among other activities.

A compelling, decade-long propaganda campaign, the Crusade for Freedom proved to be a powerful tool of the state-private network’s anti-communist agenda.

This book takes an in-depth look at the Crusade for Freedom, revealing how its unmatched pageantry of patriotism led to the creation of a dynamic movement involving not only the government but also private industry, mass media, academia, religious leaders, and, lastly, “the average Joe.”