Prisoner

<p><strong>The Inspiration for the New Podcast Featuring Jason Rezaian. 544 Days is a Spotify original podcast produced by Gimlet Crooked Media and A24.</strong></p><p>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</p><p>In July 2014 <em>Washington Post</em> 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 <em>Parts Unknown</em>. 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. </p><p>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.</p><p>In <em>Prisoner </em> 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 <em>Prisoner</em> brings to life a fascinating maddening culture in all its complexity.</p><p>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</p><p>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</p>