While the French Army in Indo-China is grappling with the Vietminh, back at Saigon into the intrigue and violence comes Pyle, a young idealistic American sent to promote democracy and channel economic aid through a mysterious 'Third Force'. As Pyle's naive optimism starts to cause bloodshed, his friend Fowler, a seasoned and cynical foreign correspondent, finds it impossible to stand aside as an observer. But Fowler's motives for intervening are suspect, both to the police and to himself. The Quiet American is a terrifying portrait of innocence at large.