The torture memos
Subtitle: rationalizing the unthinkable
By: edited and with introductory commentary by David Cole.
Contributors: Cole, David, 1958-
Publisher: New Press
Published: 2009
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 291
ISBN-13: 9781595584922
Subjects: Detention of persons -- United States; Torture -- United States; Prisoners -- Abuse of -- United States; Torture -- Government policy -- United States; Terrorism -- United States -- Prevention; Terrorism -- Government policy -- United States; War on Terrorism, 2001- -- Law and legislation -- United States
Description: "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." Now, for the first time, the key documents are compiled in one remarkable volume, showing that the U.S. government's top attorneys were instrumental in rationalizing acts of torture and cruelty ... to authorize what the law absolutely forbids. This collection gives readers an unfiltered look at the tactics approved for use in the CIA's secret overseas prisons ... and at the incredible arguments advanced to give them a green light. Originally issued in secret by the Office of Legal Counsel between 2002 and 2005, the documents collected here have been edited only to eliminate repetition. They reflect, in their own words, the analysis that guided the legal architects of the Bush administration's interrogation policies."--P. [4] of cover.

"'A dark and painful chapter in our history'--President Barack Obama."--Cover.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references.