Overview

"The dramatic memoir of the journalist who was held hostage in a high-security prison in Tehran for eighteen 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 that it was much more dire as it became an eighteen-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. Written 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"

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9781982609511

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Reviews

An important story. Harrowing, and suspenseful, yes-but it's also a deep dive into a complex and egregiously misunderstood country with two very different faces. -- Anthony Bourdain

"An important story. Harrowing, and suspenseful, yes-but it's also a deep dive into a complex and egregiously misunderstood country with two very different faces. -- ""Anthony Bourdain, American celebrity chef, author, travel documentarian, and television personality"" Of interest to students of the Iranian system as well as free-press advocates. -- ""Kirkus Reviews"" Reading this book opened my eyes to how unfairly he had been treated by the Iranian government and how love, humor, and resilience got him through. This book is a reminder of the people who sacrifice their freedoms and their lives to bring us the truth. -- ""Maz Jobrani, Iranian-American comedian and actor"" This memoir reflects not only on his imprisonment but his childhood in California and his close bond with his rug merchant father. -- ""Library Journal"""

Author Information

Jason Rezaian served as Tehran bureau chief for the Washington Post and is now an opinion writer for the paper and contributor to CNN. He was convicted-but never sentenced-of espionage in a closed-door trial in Iran in 2015. He lives in Washington, DC, with his wife.

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