Product Description: A dramatic and damning narrative account of how America has fought the 'War on Terror'
In the days immediately following September 11th, the most powerful people in the country were panic-stricken. The radical decisions about how to combat terrorists and strengthen national security were made in a state of utter chaos and fear, but the key players, Vice President Dick Cheney and his powerful, secretive adviser David Addington, used the crisis to further a long held agenda to enhance Presidential powers to a degree never known in U.S. history, and obliterate Constitutional protections that define the very essence of the American experiment.
THE DARK SIDE is a dramatic, riveting, and definitive narrative account of how the United States made terrible decisions in the pursuit of terrorists around the world-- decisions that not only violated the Constitution to which White House officials took an oath to uphold, but also hampered the pursuit of Al Qaeda. In gripping detail, acclaimed New Yorker writer and bestselling author, Jane Mayer, relates the impact of these decisions—U.S.-held prisoners, some of them completely innocent, were subjected to treatment more reminiscent of the Spanish Inquisition than the twenty-first century.
THE DARK SIDE will chronicle real, specific cases, shown in real time against the larger tableau of what was happening in Washington, looking at the intelligence gained—or not—and the price paid. In some instances, torture worked. In many more, it led to false information, sometimes with devastating results. For instance, there is the stunning admission of one of the detainees, Sheikh Ibn al-Libi, that the confession he gave under duress—which provided a key piece of evidence buttressing congressional support of going to war against Iraq--was in fact fabricated, to make the torture stop.
In all cases, whatever the short term gains, there were incalculable losses in terms of moral standing, and our country's place in the world, and its sense of itself. THE DARK SIDE chronicles one of the most disturbing chapters in American history, one that will serve as the lasting legacy of the George W. Bush presidency.
Digital Life Reviews
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - The Best Service Anywhere
As usual, my book arrived ina very timely fashion, in excellent condition, with a minimum of effort on my part. I am always amazed by the ease of buying items from Amazon. Your website is great and your service is unbelievable.
Rating: - Every Citizen Needs to Know
This book makes me both very angry and very, very sad. It documents--step by steps--how our leaders managed to arrange and/or allow grossly unconstitutional and dishonorable actions of torture and life-disruption to occur. The tenacity of some for such a long time belies the idea that it all came from 'the great fear of additional terrorists' attacks after 9/11'--the main perpetrators were people who sought major power and had little belief in anything like constitutional democracy. We see first hand their ruthless determination; and we understand more than before how Hitler, once elected, was able to take full power. No longer can we believe: "It can't happen here."
Fortunately, too, in addition to the anger, sadness and fear for our nation, there are HEROES who emerge (sometimes at considerable risk and consequence to their own lives and interests) to resist the destruction and damage. There ... Read More
Rating: - The Dark Side of "Shock and Awe"
It must be said that, the U.S. for all its many faults, generally throughout its history has had a sixth sense for knowing when it is approaching the "moral brink." And in all but a few instances in its history, has found ways to "pull back" before it plunged over the moral and legal cliffs. In fact, until the present administration, "pulling back" just before the plunge, had become a hallmark of our system of "rule by law." Even in politics, our motto could well be summarized as: Fight hard politically, but play fair and stay inside the bounds of decency.
This time however, as this author makes so imminently clear, it did not happen. The Cheney/Bush administration galloped over the cliff in full cowboy regalia. With a rare confluence of negative factors (incompetence, mean-spiritedness, lack of proper respect for American institutions and traditions, being caught flatfooted, using hand-picked ideologically ... Read More
Rating: - Truly Disturbing and Enlightening
Jane Mayer's book "The Dark Side" took a while for me to finish. After reading a bit, I would get disturbed and really pissed off. To think that my government had descended to the depths that it had, and had done so with absurd legal interpretations behind it, I couldn't help but feel the earth rumble as Jefferson tossed about in his grave. What also disturbed me was the silence among most Americans, most of whom with the shrug of the shoulders somehow think this is "just liberals bashing conservatives" or truly believe "we're fighting in a new kind of war."
But I did manage to get through this book, which will live as just one of the monuments to executive excess from the Bush Administration. From torture, rendition, warrantless wire-tapping and the whole gamut of abuses, Jane Mayer does a remarkable job of showing the extent of what went on despite the attempts by the Bush Administration to try to perpetrate ... Read More
Digital
Life Shop
Jane Mayer items subject to availability. Some restrictions
may apply. Books
The Dark Side: The Inside Story of How The War on Terror Turned into a War on American Ideals presented by digi2005.com Digi2005.com is
an Amazon.com
Associate
Digital Life Music News:
Security Fix Live (Washington Post)
Security Fix blogger Brian Krebs answers your questions about the latest computer security threats and offers ways to protect your personal information.
more News
- The Best Service Anywhere
- Every Citizen Needs to Know
