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The Torture Memos

Rationalizing the Unthinkable

by David Cole

Mem. Ed. $13.49

Pub. Ed. $17.95

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The Torture Memos

On April 16, 2009, the Justice Department released never-before-seen secret memos describing, in graphic detail, the brutal interrogation techniques used by the CIA under the Bush administration’s War on Terror. In The Torture Memos, David Cole has compiled the key documents in one volume, showing that the U.S. government's top attorneys were instrumental in rationalizing acts of torture, employing chillingly twisted logic to authorize what the law absolutely forbids.

This collection offers an unfiltered look at the tactics approved for use in the CIA’s secret overseas prisons—including forcing detainees to stay awake for 11 days straight, slamming them against walls, stripping them naked, locking them in small boxes with insects, waterboarding—and at the arguments advanced to give them a green light. In addition to presenting the documents, Cole argues that, instead of demanding that the CIA conform to the law, the nation's top lawyers contorted the law to conform to the CIA's illegal conduct.

A shocking litany of abuses—and a damning indictment of the system that allowed them—The Torture Memos is one of the most important documents to emerge from the depths of the War on Terror.

Softcover: 352 pages

Publisher: New Press ( September 01, 2009 )

Item #: 15-8921

ISBN: 9781595584922

Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 8.25 x 0.68 inches

Product Weight: 11.0 ounces

1 to 5 of 5

Americans Need to be Aware of What Was Done In Our Name
December 04, 2009

One reviewer claims we haven't been attacked in 9 years. Well, I guess he means 8 years 2009 - 2001= 8 years. Nevertheless, he seems to think that being bitten by bugs and left in isolation naked is no big deal. Well, I wonder how he would feel if it happened to him or a relative and THEY WERE INNOCENT! This was not a day of torture, it was weeks, months and years of lawless cruelty inflicted on other humans. That makes us terrorists. What do you think our punishment should be?

Reviewer: We B

Torture???
November 26, 2009

I think we as a nation are showing weakness by coddling criminals/terrorist. They drag our service men's bodies through the streets and cut heads off live men and abuse their women in the name of a god. Wise up! These are not citizens of the USA and when the Geneva Convention was signed they never imagined this kind of horror/ The lawyers are the only ones who'll make out bringing them to trial. When all is said and done, if we don'e toughen up everyone here is a candidate for their bloodthirsty conduct.

Reviewer: I T

Reap What You Sow
November 18, 2009

When we dare to stop away from the rule of law, and basic humane treatment of others, we create enemies. When we create enemies, we endanger those we love, as well as ourselves. There is a reason our fathers and grandfathers signed onto the Geneva Convention, they did not want an enemy doing these things to their sons in future wars. Torture does not work. The information you receive from torture will almost always be false. The Salem Witch Trials should have taught us this much.

Reviewer: Connie

We Have Met The Enemy and He Is Us
November 04, 2009

In such a conflict, are we not supposed to be above those we fight? Isn't the USA supposed to be the moral leader in such a struggle? How can we claim the righteousness of our cause when we stoop to such barbaric practices? An important book for all US citizens to read. It takes courage to admit mistakes. It takes a coward to abuse the helpless.

Reviewer: Bill M

Boo Freakin' Hoo
October 17, 2009

How did this liberal Bush bashing piece of garbage make it onto MBC's book list? "Oooh, they stripped terrorists naked!" "Ooooo, they got bitten by bugs!" Fact is, three, count'em three terrorists were ever waterboarded. Does anyone rememeber these same type people cut off a young American's head and posted the video on the internet? How about the way they abused the bodies of some of our soldiers they captured? (Conveniently not reported by the mainstream media, btw.) Give me a break. America hasn't been attacked in 9 years, in large part due to the Bush Administration taking off the gloves with these barabarians. Now they get Miranda rights. What a joke.

Reviewer: Thomas N

1 to 5 of 5