The Special Prisoner

A Novel

Fiction & Literature, Military, Psychological, Mystery & Suspense, Thrillers
Cover of the book The Special Prisoner by Jim Lehrer, Random House Publishing Group
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Jim Lehrer ISBN: 9780375505775
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group Publication: September 19, 2000
Imprint: Random House Language: English
Author: Jim Lehrer
ISBN: 9780375505775
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Publication: September 19, 2000
Imprint: Random House
Language: English

Following the enormous success of his two bestselling previous novels, White Widow and Purple Dots, Jim Lehrer takes on a new and controversial subject in this ambitious story about an American soldier who, many years after the fact, is forced to relive his harrowing experience in the Second World War.

The Special Prisoner takes its title from the designation the Japanese government gave U.S. airmen held prisoner during World War II—an indication of the severity with which these foreign devils responsible for bombing Japanese cities were to be treated. John Quincy Watson was a skilled young pilot flying B-29s over Japan when he was shot down and taken prisoner in 1945. Fifty years later, now a prominent religious figure nearing retirement, Bishop Watson believes he has long since overcome the excruciating memories of his months as a POW. But a chance sighting of the now equally elderly Japanese officer who repeatedly tortured him instantly transports the Bishop back to that unendurable time, and he finds himself overwhelmed by an un-controllable desire for vengeance. The result for Watson is both a vivid return to the horrors of his past and the triggering of a new series of events that are also horrific—and tragic.

Engaging and emotionally poignant, The Special Prisoner delves into the complicated issue of war guilt and forgiveness, starkly portrayed in the characters of an officer from a country that refuses to admit any wrongdoing and a clergyman who is committed to a belief that to forgive is divine. This is new and controversial territory for Lehrer, and he treats it with passion and respect, while writing in the highly readable, engaging style that is his trademark. This fascinating story of what's fair in war—and what's fair afterward—is a dramatic new novel from the veteran Washington author and newscaster.

BONUS: This edition contains an excerpt from Jim Lehrer's Tension City.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Following the enormous success of his two bestselling previous novels, White Widow and Purple Dots, Jim Lehrer takes on a new and controversial subject in this ambitious story about an American soldier who, many years after the fact, is forced to relive his harrowing experience in the Second World War.

The Special Prisoner takes its title from the designation the Japanese government gave U.S. airmen held prisoner during World War II—an indication of the severity with which these foreign devils responsible for bombing Japanese cities were to be treated. John Quincy Watson was a skilled young pilot flying B-29s over Japan when he was shot down and taken prisoner in 1945. Fifty years later, now a prominent religious figure nearing retirement, Bishop Watson believes he has long since overcome the excruciating memories of his months as a POW. But a chance sighting of the now equally elderly Japanese officer who repeatedly tortured him instantly transports the Bishop back to that unendurable time, and he finds himself overwhelmed by an un-controllable desire for vengeance. The result for Watson is both a vivid return to the horrors of his past and the triggering of a new series of events that are also horrific—and tragic.

Engaging and emotionally poignant, The Special Prisoner delves into the complicated issue of war guilt and forgiveness, starkly portrayed in the characters of an officer from a country that refuses to admit any wrongdoing and a clergyman who is committed to a belief that to forgive is divine. This is new and controversial territory for Lehrer, and he treats it with passion and respect, while writing in the highly readable, engaging style that is his trademark. This fascinating story of what's fair in war—and what's fair afterward—is a dramatic new novel from the veteran Washington author and newscaster.

BONUS: This edition contains an excerpt from Jim Lehrer's Tension City.

More books from Random House Publishing Group

Cover of the book Lighting Up by Jim Lehrer
Cover of the book Divine Evil by Jim Lehrer
Cover of the book The Marne, 1914 by Jim Lehrer
Cover of the book Invent It, Sell It, Bank It! by Jim Lehrer
Cover of the book In the Realm of the Wolf by Jim Lehrer
Cover of the book Six Months in Sudan by Jim Lehrer
Cover of the book The Kill List by Jim Lehrer
Cover of the book Wrestling With Angels by Jim Lehrer
Cover of the book The Modern Library Civil War Bookshelf 5-Book Bundle by Jim Lehrer
Cover of the book THREE MEN OUT by Jim Lehrer
Cover of the book Bearing It All by Jim Lehrer
Cover of the book Brando: Songs My Mother Taught Me by Jim Lehrer
Cover of the book Minecraft: Guide to Creative (2017 Edition) by Jim Lehrer
Cover of the book The Mountain Valley War by Jim Lehrer
Cover of the book The Mysteries by Jim Lehrer
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy