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Prisoner
Publisher's Summary
The dramatic memoir of the journalist who was held hostage in a high-security prison in Tehran for 18 months and whose release - which almost didn’t happen - became a part of the Iran nuclear deal.
In July 2014, Washington Post Tehran bureau chief Jason Rezaian was arrested by Iranian police, accused of spying for America. The charges were absurd. Rezaian’s reporting was a mix of human-interest stories and political analysis. He had even served as a guide for Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown. Initially, Rezaian thought the whole thing was a terrible misunderstanding but soon realized it was much more dire as it became an 18-month prison stint with impossibly high diplomatic stakes.
While in prison, Rezaian had tireless advocates working on his behalf. His brother lobbied political heavyweights including John Kerry and Barack Obama and started a social media campaign - #FreeJason - while Jason’s wife navigated the red tape of the Iranian security apparatus, all while the courts used Rezaian as a bargaining chip in negotiations for the Iran nuclear deal.
In Prisoner, Rezaian writes of his exhausting interrogations and farcical trial. He also reflects on his idyllic childhood in Northern California and his bond with his Iranian father, a rug merchant; how his teacher Christopher Hitchens inspired him to pursue journalism; and his life-changing decision to move to Tehran, where his career took off and he met his wife.
Authored with wit, humor, and grace, Prisoner brings to life a fascinating, maddening culture in all its complexity.
“Jason paid a deep price in defense of journalism and his story proves that not everyone who defends freedom carries a gun, some carry a pen.” (John F. Kerry, 68th secretary of state)
What members say
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- Gary
- 06-02-2019
Very well done.
Excellent book. Engaging, thoughtful, informative and important. And, I am grateful for your brother. Welcome home to you, your wife and your Mom!
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Angela Harrison
- 02-02-2019
Compelling from start to finish!
I couldn't stop listening to the book. Amazing story, great writing and the narration was fantastic.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Michael Yusi
- 20-02-2019
Great book about what was a very confusing time
The book is so well written, narrated, and the story is non-stop. Helped explain the entire event so clearly. Highly suggest you give it a read.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ed
- 16-02-2019
In His Own Voice
An amazing story, literally in the main character/author's voice. It is not filled with suspense, especially since the audience may already know the ending of the story, but he still pulls you into to his world.
Somehow Rezaian is a must better storyteller that writer but it doesn't matter. Refreshingly , he didn't get as political as he could have but I cringe at the potential politicization that will result from this
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Eileen Souza
- 15-02-2019
Surprisingly Enjoyable
In addition to being as fascinating and insightful as I expected, this book was also surprisingly enjoyable.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Lori J Cavus
- 10-02-2019
Good company. His voice and enthusiam carried me.
I am so enthusiastic about this author. This is a book I listened to while working late into the night. His voice was a welcome companion. I could feel his pleasure in his recounting this story OUTside of prison. He has survived an insult to his dignity and if not for his intelligence and humor, might have lived out his life scarred by this. No, he kept his sanity BECAUSE he is curious and overwhelmingly benevolent. His cheerful, approachable nature rings so true about how we manage in uncertain circumstance. Brilliant and compelling true story. I feel like he could be everyone's best friend. His wife is mentioned with such love, I can only feel certain that they will have a beautiful happily ever after. Thank you Mr. Rezaian. I am not JOEISH, but I appreciate your MIZION. You make the world a better place.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- KathrynVB
- 31-01-2019
Exceptional book. A must read.
I read about the imminent launch of this book in the NYT's Book Review and ordered it to be delivered on the day it was released. Fabulous book, narrated by author Jason Rezaian. His voice is essential to the story, and the result is spellbinding. A must read!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Amazon Customer
- 30-01-2019
Listed twice. Cried many times for what he’s been through
Jason is such a storyteller. He has so much Tony Bourdain in him. I had to stop the book to put myself together a number of times throughout the story.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- sa
- 03-02-2019
Held my attention...but just ok
The book was interesting enough to hold my attention, but I honestly would not recommend it to a friend
0 of 1 people found this review helpful