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Agents of Subversion: The Fate of John T. Downey and the CIA's Covert War in China
In the winter of 1952, at the height of the Korean War, the CIA flew a covert mission into China to pick up an agent. Trained on a remote Pacific island, he belonged to an obscure anti-communist group known as the Third Force based out of Hong Kong. The exfiltration would fail, disastrously, and one of the Americans on the mission, a recent Yale graduate named John T. Downey, ended up a prisoner of Mao Zedong's government for the next twenty years.
Unraveling the truth behind decades of Cold War intrigue, historian John Delury documents the damage that this hidden foreign policy did to American political life. The US government kept the public in the dark about decades of covert activity directed against China, while Downey languished in a Beijing prison and his mother lobbied desperately for his release.
Mining little-known Chinese sources, Delury sheds new light on Mao's campaigns to eliminate counter-revolutionaries and his use of captive spies in diplomacy with the West. Agents of Subversion is an innovative work of transnational history, and it demonstrates both how the Chinese Communist regime used the fear of special agents to tighten its grip on society and why intellectuals in Cold War America presciently worried that subversion abroad could lead to repression at home.
Unraveling the truth behind decades of Cold War intrigue, historian John Delury documents the damage that this hidden foreign policy did to American political life. The US government kept the public in the dark about decades of covert activity directed against China, while Downey languished in a Beijing prison and his mother lobbied desperately for his release.
Mining little-known Chinese sources, Delury sheds new light on Mao's campaigns to eliminate counter-revolutionaries and his use of captive spies in diplomacy with the West. Agents of Subversion is an innovative work of transnational history, and it demonstrates both how the Chinese Communist regime used the fear of special agents to tighten its grip on society and why intellectuals in Cold War America presciently worried that subversion abroad could lead to repression at home.
408 pages, Hardcover
First published October 15, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 3, 2022
My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher Cornell University Press for an advanced copy of this history of American and Chinese relations and the secret war that went on for almost twenty years.
The amazing thing about history is that even events that are familiar and known to people, events that people lived through and discuss or even write about, so much of what really happened will never be known. There is almost a perceived history what people feel happened and what did not, a history written of in books which depending on the writer, and a true history. Possibly a secret history one told by intelligence agents to each other, but a lot of that is gossip or covering for hubris, or incompetence. The true story of many events that effect us today might never be known, especially now with fake news and propaganda channels feeding nations the news. In his book Agents of Subversion: The Fate of John T. Downey and the CIA's Covert War in China, John Delury examines the relationship between China from after World War II to the Nixon era, the shadow war that was taking place, captured Americans and repercussions.
The book begins with a story that reads like a LeCarré or Ambler introduction. During the height of the Korean war an plane crosses the border of China to pickup a deep cover agent for a meeting. Using a SKYHOOK, a way of picking up a person from the ground using a cable lofted into the air by balloon, the plane had two crew and two members of the newly christened Central Intelligence Agency John T. Downey and Richard G. Fecteau. The plane was shot down and destroyed as the whole arrangement had been a trap, killing the crew but leaving the intelligence agents alive, but captured pawns in a game that would last over twenty years. From there the book looks at the point of the mission the Third Force program, an anti-communist American trained group that was infiltrated into China, but instead of causing chaos and revolution, did not do much but cause crack downs by Maoist forces. From there we learn about the ideas that America had about China, what was correct and what was not, and how the idea of losing China drove foreign policy, not in a good way.
The book is very interesting using not only American sources, along with foreign and Chinese sources to give an idea of what was really happening in these years. The fate of the two men are the focus of the book, but are are really minor characters in a game that went through two wars in the area, and a secret war between China and the US. The story moves well, with a lot of information, which Delury presents well, and not in a way that seems overwhelming or uninteresting. The book is really informative, and exposes a lot of problems that American diplomacy seems to continue doing, The characters especially, the prisoners are also well presented and readers really do feel for their situation especially Downey. A very interesting book with a lot of information about a time in history I thought I knew about, but did not.
Recommended for those interested in China and American history, and for readers who like to read about the real world of intelligence and what can and does go wrong. An fascinating tale about our relations with the world, and how America always seems to make more problems for itself both diplomatically and covertly.
The amazing thing about history is that even events that are familiar and known to people, events that people lived through and discuss or even write about, so much of what really happened will never be known. There is almost a perceived history what people feel happened and what did not, a history written of in books which depending on the writer, and a true history. Possibly a secret history one told by intelligence agents to each other, but a lot of that is gossip or covering for hubris, or incompetence. The true story of many events that effect us today might never be known, especially now with fake news and propaganda channels feeding nations the news. In his book Agents of Subversion: The Fate of John T. Downey and the CIA's Covert War in China, John Delury examines the relationship between China from after World War II to the Nixon era, the shadow war that was taking place, captured Americans and repercussions.
The book begins with a story that reads like a LeCarré or Ambler introduction. During the height of the Korean war an plane crosses the border of China to pickup a deep cover agent for a meeting. Using a SKYHOOK, a way of picking up a person from the ground using a cable lofted into the air by balloon, the plane had two crew and two members of the newly christened Central Intelligence Agency John T. Downey and Richard G. Fecteau. The plane was shot down and destroyed as the whole arrangement had been a trap, killing the crew but leaving the intelligence agents alive, but captured pawns in a game that would last over twenty years. From there the book looks at the point of the mission the Third Force program, an anti-communist American trained group that was infiltrated into China, but instead of causing chaos and revolution, did not do much but cause crack downs by Maoist forces. From there we learn about the ideas that America had about China, what was correct and what was not, and how the idea of losing China drove foreign policy, not in a good way.
The book is very interesting using not only American sources, along with foreign and Chinese sources to give an idea of what was really happening in these years. The fate of the two men are the focus of the book, but are are really minor characters in a game that went through two wars in the area, and a secret war between China and the US. The story moves well, with a lot of information, which Delury presents well, and not in a way that seems overwhelming or uninteresting. The book is really informative, and exposes a lot of problems that American diplomacy seems to continue doing, The characters especially, the prisoners are also well presented and readers really do feel for their situation especially Downey. A very interesting book with a lot of information about a time in history I thought I knew about, but did not.
Recommended for those interested in China and American history, and for readers who like to read about the real world of intelligence and what can and does go wrong. An fascinating tale about our relations with the world, and how America always seems to make more problems for itself both diplomatically and covertly.
March 21, 2022
Agents of Subversion: The Fate of John T. Downey and the CIA’s Covert War in China by John Delury
• Mr. Delury begins the book with the following: “November 1952 John Downey of the CIA was one of two men on a mission to pick up an agent on the Chinese side of the North Korea border when their plane was shot down. He was captured and jailed for 20 years. This is his story.” In fact, there were two CIA members that survived Mr. Downey and Dick Fecteau, both CIA were captured by the Chinese, eventually moved to China and remained in the hands of the Chinese for over 20 years. Why? This is the story to be told by Mr. Delury but for most of the book these two gentlemen do not appear as he explains why due to the shear incompetence, ignorance and stubbornness to accept the loss of China, the US was in no position to even begin discussions with the People’s Republic of China. The British, the Canadians, and the rest of the world recognized the PRC as the legal government of China and opened embassies and trade missions with China but not the US.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I consider myself an amateur expert on this period (1925-1972) on China-US relations or in part of this period 1949-1972 where we had no relations with China. Mr. Delury lays the background of the Korean War, our still involvement to support the KMT now in Taiwan as they made failed attacks on the main land as well as the McCarthy era and beyond where in government circles to suggest an opening with China was suggest one was either a communist or soft on communism. This book offers references to many of the leading proponents to opening relationships with China including John King Fairbank and Owen Lattimore, both of whom were called before the McCarthy hearings as being communists which they were not. Also, there are very interesting discussions of the other “realists” of this era ( Hannah Arendt, Hans Morgenthau, Reinhold Niebuhr, George Kennan would pre-date John Mearsheimer who is today’s pre-eminent realist.
Another key person who I believe is not given as must credit in terms of global politics that he deserves in Zhou En Lai of China who for over 40 years represented and guided China’s policy with the world. It was through his efforts that 1st Downey’s and Fecteau’s mothers were able to visit with their sons, over the objections of the US State Department. There is so much more detail presented in the book. Although I read an e-book copy for this review for free, I will certainly BUY a hard copy. To end, both CIA members did safely return home during the Nixon era. I certainly recommend this book for those who are interested in the US-China Cold War Era or just want to see a historical example of US ignorance in global affairs.
• Mr. Delury begins the book with the following: “November 1952 John Downey of the CIA was one of two men on a mission to pick up an agent on the Chinese side of the North Korea border when their plane was shot down. He was captured and jailed for 20 years. This is his story.” In fact, there were two CIA members that survived Mr. Downey and Dick Fecteau, both CIA were captured by the Chinese, eventually moved to China and remained in the hands of the Chinese for over 20 years. Why? This is the story to be told by Mr. Delury but for most of the book these two gentlemen do not appear as he explains why due to the shear incompetence, ignorance and stubbornness to accept the loss of China, the US was in no position to even begin discussions with the People’s Republic of China. The British, the Canadians, and the rest of the world recognized the PRC as the legal government of China and opened embassies and trade missions with China but not the US.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I consider myself an amateur expert on this period (1925-1972) on China-US relations or in part of this period 1949-1972 where we had no relations with China. Mr. Delury lays the background of the Korean War, our still involvement to support the KMT now in Taiwan as they made failed attacks on the main land as well as the McCarthy era and beyond where in government circles to suggest an opening with China was suggest one was either a communist or soft on communism. This book offers references to many of the leading proponents to opening relationships with China including John King Fairbank and Owen Lattimore, both of whom were called before the McCarthy hearings as being communists which they were not. Also, there are very interesting discussions of the other “realists” of this era ( Hannah Arendt, Hans Morgenthau, Reinhold Niebuhr, George Kennan would pre-date John Mearsheimer who is today’s pre-eminent realist.
Another key person who I believe is not given as must credit in terms of global politics that he deserves in Zhou En Lai of China who for over 40 years represented and guided China’s policy with the world. It was through his efforts that 1st Downey’s and Fecteau’s mothers were able to visit with their sons, over the objections of the US State Department. There is so much more detail presented in the book. Although I read an e-book copy for this review for free, I will certainly BUY a hard copy. To end, both CIA members did safely return home during the Nixon era. I certainly recommend this book for those who are interested in the US-China Cold War Era or just want to see a historical example of US ignorance in global affairs.
March 20, 2022
A scary book in it's reminder of the USA's ham-fisted, naive and arrogant activities against China from it's civil war to the mid-1970s. The author takes the reader through the formation of the CIA and its gradual evolution into an organisation which did it's own thing regardless of government policy. To provide a human dimension the story of Downey who spent 20 years in Chinese prisons is told as he and his fellow CIA operative became an embarrassment to the CIA/US government and then later a political pawn.
The book deviates at times to include other elements of US foreign policy and CIA shenanigans. It also spends a lot of time in the democratic repression and suppression the US government used on it's own people. The author also tries to lighten the mood by references to books and movies released during the relevant time period under discussion.
I thought it would be a dry read but instead I became engrossed with the thought that nothing really changes does it? Leopards can change their spot but the games continue. Unfortunately it is a game involving real people and their lives.
The book deviates at times to include other elements of US foreign policy and CIA shenanigans. It also spends a lot of time in the democratic repression and suppression the US government used on it's own people. The author also tries to lighten the mood by references to books and movies released during the relevant time period under discussion.
I thought it would be a dry read but instead I became engrossed with the thought that nothing really changes does it? Leopards can change their spot but the games continue. Unfortunately it is a game involving real people and their lives.
October 5, 2022
What you see on the news is a small glimpse of the overall picture. For example, could you explain all of who you are, where you've been, what has shaped and molded and influenced you in 60 seconds? Not at all. This book tells the real deep story of what really happened behind closed doors between governments of nations that impacted the lives of individuals. It isn't a pretty picture, but yet this is one story that has been told. How many others haven't, and/or are still going on currently? This book shows the start of a decision that led to rippling effects that crossed families, agencies, borders, nations, and generations from real documentation from one who's life bore the brunt of the results of the decisions around him. If only we'd learn from our mistakes so that others wouldn't suffer. A great read! Sad that it's based on a true story.
*I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. This review is my own opinion*
*I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. This review is my own opinion*
May 30, 2022
I don´t know how about you, but when I watch the news and try to understand political decisions made I have a strong feeling that either something is missing (as if we aren´t told everything) or I am not smart enough and can´t see what I ought to see. This book is like the news with a lifted curtain behind it, so you can see everything and then you can make your own judgment. While I highly appreciate showing us all the details of the interesting and for many years hidden part of American politics, I also have to admit that I got overwhelmed and a bit lost. Lots of details and names can be too much if you don´t pay close attention at all times. I think that this book overall is great, yet I will have to come back to it and read it again when I´ll have more time on my hands.
April 4, 2022
A concise and immensely informative documentary of the US Relationship with China following WW2, and how the government missed an opportunity to have avoided some of the issues that followed, had they been more willing to work with Mao. A good historical read.
Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
November 15, 2022
first half setting the stage for the policy and philosophical debates in the early cold war is masterful
May 25, 2024
Shallow
August 19, 2023
I read this book as a proper non-non-fiction reader, and it took me forever to get through it. It was not the fault of the book but my capacity to make my way through such a dense volume of so much startling information.
What I find fascinating, at the very end, is that given how much of this is public knowledge, the functioning of the organization mentioned here is not really being questioned or curtailed by anyone on the world stage (at least that I know of!)
The book covers a vast range of content, primarily focusing on individual CIA agents and the final release of some of them. There are so many events that are present within the bracket, and they specifically highlight the changing landscape of the world post-WWII.
There is not much more that I can say about the book or the writing. I chipped away at it a couple of pages at a time, the best I could do. I am extremely glad I stuck with it since I explored an area which I had very little to know information about previously. The machinations of countries behind the scenes are not as cut and dried as movies make them out to be, and the subtle actions which people enact to keep themselves in power as much as it is to keep whole countries ahead.
I would highly recommend this to fans of history since it delves quite deeply into its topic, and the writing is simple and to the point.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.
What I find fascinating, at the very end, is that given how much of this is public knowledge, the functioning of the organization mentioned here is not really being questioned or curtailed by anyone on the world stage (at least that I know of!)
The book covers a vast range of content, primarily focusing on individual CIA agents and the final release of some of them. There are so many events that are present within the bracket, and they specifically highlight the changing landscape of the world post-WWII.
There is not much more that I can say about the book or the writing. I chipped away at it a couple of pages at a time, the best I could do. I am extremely glad I stuck with it since I explored an area which I had very little to know information about previously. The machinations of countries behind the scenes are not as cut and dried as movies make them out to be, and the subtle actions which people enact to keep themselves in power as much as it is to keep whole countries ahead.
I would highly recommend this to fans of history since it delves quite deeply into its topic, and the writing is simple and to the point.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.
May 4, 2023
Well written book that offers a lot of helpful context on US-China relations in the aftermath of World War II, the Korea War, the Nationalist government in Taiwan. The sections on the formation and operations of the CIA, as well as the different factions within the organization, also offer much insight into the intelligence efforts of the US government.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews