Oct 7, 2024
In this fascinating episode of the
Spybrary Spy History Podcast, host Adam Brookes interviews Barry Werth
author of Prisoner of Lies: Jack Downey's Cold
War.
This remarkable true cold war spy story of the longest-held
prisoner of war in American history, John Downey,
Jr., a CIA officer captured in China during the Korean War and
imprisoned for twenty-one years.
We invite you to join our host, author and former BBC reporter Adam
Brookes, and guest Barry Werth on the Spybrary
Spy History Podcast as they dive deep into the harrowing Cold War
saga of Jack Downey in Prisoner of Lies.
Grab Your Top 125 Spy Writers Ranked dossier! Ranked and
with spy book recommendations.
Discover the untold stories of espionage, resilience, and
international diplomacy that shaped U.S.-China relations. Unveil
the gripping narrative of Jack Downey's capture, imprisonment, and
eventual release, set against a backdrop of covert operations,
political machinations, and the enduring human spirit. Don't miss
this thrilling exploration of "Prisoner of Lies" and the profound
impact of espionage on international affairs in Barry Werth's
latest book.
In 1952, 23-year-old CIA officer Jack Downey Jr's mission took a
devastating turn when his plane was shot down over Manchuria during
the Korean War. Surviving the crash that claimed the pilots' lives,
Downey and his fellow agent, Richard Fecteau, were seized by
Chinese forces.
What followed was a grueling two-decade ordeal of interrogations, isolation, reeducation camps, and staged trials, as they were paraded as symbols of political propaganda. While other prisoners of war found freedom, Downey and Fecteau remained trapped, their fate tied to a diplomatic stalemate. It wasn’t until Nixon’s groundbreaking visit to China in 1971 that hope emerged, leading to Fecteau’s release that same year and Downey’s eventual return in 1973.
Episode Summary:
In this riveting episode, Adam Brookes sits down with Barry Werth to delve into the extraordinary story of Jack Downey, a CIA officer captured and imprisoned in communist China during the height of the Cold War. Werth's meticulous research for his book Prisoner of Lies provides a gripping account of Downey Jr's endurance, complex diplomatic maneuvers, and early CIA covert operations.
Barry Werth discusses the complex and skilled diplomacy by President Nixon and Henry Kissinger, examining how Downey's release was eventually facilitated, signaling a subtle yet significant shift in US policy towards China.
"Prisoner of Lies: Jack Downey's Cold War" by Barry Werth, offering an in-depth narrative and analysis drawn from extensive research and personal accounts.