The dark side : the inside story of how the war on terror turned into a war on American ideals
Mayer, Jane2008
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"In the days immediately following September 11th, the most powerful people in the United States 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 an 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 hamper the pursuit of Al Qaeda. Jane Mayer relates the impact of these decisions: U.S.-held prisoners, many of them completely innocent, were subjected to treatment more reminiscent of the Spanish Inquisition than the twenty-first century. In all cases, whatever the short-term gains, there were incalculable losses in terms of moral standing, and the US'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."--Provided by publisher.
Main title:
Author:
Imprint:
Carlton North, Vic. : Scribe Publications, 2008.
Collation:
392 p., [8] p. of plates : ill., ports. ; 24 cm.
Notes:
Includes index.
ISBN:
9781921372506 (pbk)
Dewey class:
973.931
Language:
English
Subject:
War on Terrorism, 2001-2009 -- United States -- Government policyWar on Terrorism, 2001-2009 -- United States -- Law and legislationSeptember 11 Terrorist Attacks, 2001 -- InfluenceMilitary interrogation -- United StatesWar and emergency powers -- United StatesUnited States -- Foreign relations -- 21st centuryUnited States -- History, Military -- 21st century
BRN:
5567