{"product_id":"prisoner","title":"Prisoner","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Inspiration for the New Podcast Featuring Jason Rezaian. \"544 Days\" is a Spotify original podcast, produced by Gimlet, Crooked Media and A24.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe 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\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn July 2014, \u003cem\u003eWashington Post\u003c\/em\u003e 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 \u003cem\u003eParts Unknown\u003c\/em\u003e. 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. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhile 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn \u003cem\u003ePrisoner, \u003c\/em\u003e 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, \u003cem\u003ePrisoner\u003c\/em\u003e brings to life a fascinating, maddening culture in all its complexity.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"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. There is no better time to know more about Iran--and Jason Rezaian has seen both of those faces.\" -- Anthony Bourdain\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"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\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Anthony Bourdain\/Ecco","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51984303980775,"sku":"9780062691583","price":17.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0449\/4075\/5096\/files\/imageloader_c3368cc4-ea18-4cea-8c72-e2951acb7b9d.jpg?v=1776316177","url":"https:\/\/arvidabookco.com\/products\/prisoner","provider":"Arvida Book Co.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}