Prisoner of Lies: Jack Downey’s Cold War

Journalist Werth (The Antidote) offers a meticulously detailed account of a CIA operative who spent over 20 years as a prisoner of war in post-WWII China. Though notable books about prisoners of war, such as Laura Hillenbrand’s Unbroken, have caught readers’ attention, the remarkable story of Jack Downey has gone largely unnoticed. Recruited into the CIA out of Yale, Downey joined a flight crew tasked with exfiltrating a courier from northern China. When the plane crashed, Downey was captured. Though he confessed to being a spy, the U.S. government held fast to the principle of never officially acknowledging spies held by enemy forces; without U.S. recognition, Downey continued to be held in captivity and became the longest-held POW in American history. Stephen Graybill narrates the basics of Downey’s story, placing it within the context of Cold War politics. Graybill’s presentation is straightforward and well-modulated, fitting the book’s factual tone. History lovers seeking more details on Downey’s life may be disappointed, as his life’s story tends to be overshadowed by a focus on the political climate of the time.