The Dark Side

The Inside Story of How The War on Terror Turned into a War on American Ideals

By: Jane Mayer

Narrated by: Richard McGonagle

In the days following September 11, the most powerful people in the country were panic-stricken. The 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.

The Dark Side is a riveting narrative account of how the U.S. made terrible decisions in the pursuit of terrorists–decisions that not only violated the Constitution, but also hampered the pursuit of Al Qaeda. In gripping detail, acclaimed New Yorker writer and bestselling author Jane Mayer relates specific cases, shown in real time against the larger tableau of Washington, looking at the intelligence gained–or not–and the price paid. In all cases, whatever the short-term gains, there were incalculable losses in terms of moral standing, our country’s place in the world, and its sense of itself. The Dark Side chronicles one of the mostdisturbing chapters in American history, one that will serve as the lasting legacy of the George W. Bush presidency.©2008 Jane Meyer; (P)2008 Random House

Brilliant and Maddening

This was, from start to finish, one of the most engaging audio books I've listened to. Mayer covers the Bush administration from the eve of 9/11 until the end of its tenure with a focus on its manipulation of the law for political ends, especially as it related to executive power and the right to redefine how captured enemy combatants are treated. Far from being a critique of President Bush himself, she underlines his willingness to acquiesce to Cheney and his legal counsel, David Addington, in all matters regarding the treatment of prisoners and the methods by which intelligence was being extracted from them. It is a damning indictment of the unelected bureaucrats who cared more for their own peculiar and idiosyncratic dogmas than for the constitution of the United States, the separation of powers, or the will of the American people.

My only caution is - don't listen to it while you're trying to fall asleep; it will make you so angry, you won't get any.

The Story of how America gave up it's honor.

Very well researched and written; a story I wished didn't need to be told. A must read.

Enlightening!

A very well crafted account of our country's recent decent into torture and the fearmongering politics of the Bush Administration. Although a very long-winded book, the author leaves no detail or accusation unexplained. Mayer clearly did her homework on this subject, as this book should be mandatory reading for every civics class in American schools.

A must read to understand today's politics!

Many of the ideals on torture that the conservatives hold true today are based on a false narrative stemming from the Bush administration. A skewed view of the constitution to uphold false arguments is not what our founding fathers stood for. In fact, the constitution was specifically written with this in mind. A republic is only a republic when the people choose to fight for it. This book explains explicitly how fear and knee jerk reactions leads to something almost unspeakable. This is a part of history that we should not forget and readily keep available to all academics seeking truth. Our future as a nation depends on it!! Also, if you love Jane Mayer then this book is a no brainer. All of her work is extraordinary!!! Stay woke!!

Absolutely outstanding

This is a frightening--hair-raising--book that every American should read. Unfortunately, the narration is monotone and sluggish, to my ear. But the content is so compelling that this hardly gets in the way.