CIA Operative Imprisoned in China

In "Prisoner of Lies," author Barry Werth chronicles the harrowing experience of Jack Downey, a young CIA operative who became the longest-held American prisoner of war. Shot down over Manchuria during the Korean War in 1952, Downey was captured by Chinese forces and faced immense pressure to divulge sensitive information. The CIA had equipped its pilots with a poison-tipped stickpin, symbolizing the extreme measures they were prepared to take to protect national secrets. Despite enduring 16 days of captivity, Downey's mission remained unacknowledged by the U.S. government for over two decades. His eventual release in 1973, negotiated by President Nixon, marked a significant moment in American history, as Downey emerged from his cell wearing a Mao suit and a Boston Red Sox cap, a stark contrast to his previous life. Werth's narrative not only details Downey's personal struggles but also situates his story within the broader context of American history, spanning from the 1940s to the rise of Donald Trump in the 1980s. The book highlights the complex interplay between foreign and domestic policies, illustrating how events like the McCarthy era's xenophobia and the Cultural Revolution shaped the lives of spies and diplomats. Through elegant prose, Werth provides a compelling reminder of the sacrifices made by individuals like Downey, whose experiences reflect the turbulent political landscape of their times. "Prisoner of Lies" serves as both a biography and a historical commentary, shedding light on the often-overlooked narratives of American espionage.