Agents of Subversion: The Fate of John T. Downey and the CIA's Covert War in China

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.

A wonderful piece of work, obviously the product of some very hard research. I thought I was familiar with this period, by the author's intimacy with his material is rare indeed.It appears that our government has been lying us into wars for a long time. The official lies in this story are breathtaking. And, sadly, stupid.

Beyond helpful - So amazingly engaging. A much-needed spot-on balancing act. We cannot change perceptions of the U.S. without know how the U.S. is perceived. Brilliant book.

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*

Delury is a terrific author/scholar who writes well, like a novelist. And this book tells quite a story! Delury traces the history of CIA’s intelligence operations against China during the early part of the Cold War. These operations were full of hubris, high risk, low reward, and also, geopolitical ramifications. Delury tells this story equally well. The most fascinating part of the book had to do with many missed diplomatic opportunities in the mid/late 50s, where such windows did not reopen until the Nixon/Kissinger years. Delury’s book is also a cautionary tale, of the challenges of gathering intelligence on the hardest targets such as China and North Korea, and of how easy it is for intelligence professionals and policy makers to be simply, dead wrong about the intentions of our adversaries. Getting it right is more critical than ever. Congratulations to Delury on a fine book, which merits 5 stars.

A breathtaking in-depth review of the history of US foreign policy on China, the interaction between this history in US foreign and domestic politics, and a critique of US foreign policy philosophy. The most stunning work of its kind anywhere, at least to the point I've reached. Now reading it at 1 am, which says it all.