There is little evidence of truth in this book. While it is well written, it charges many people with attitudes and deeds, but offers only the author's word as truth. I do not accept this as evidence of her charges. I could not find supporting data for any of her charges that I checked. I finally gave up trying to read this. She is a good writer, but we should not accept this a factual.

[...] To fully take in this web site and carefully evaluate not only what is being stated by a very large number of talented people (which is constantly growing in number as well), along with the resumes of those who are saying what they are saying, you will need to take some time to reflect upon what might seem impossible to (some of) you. Sorry that the story of 9-11 itself, as well as the post 9-11 world, is unfortunately considerably more sinister and complex that what Jane Mayer has told.

On this web site, you find, for example,

//41 U.S. Counter-Terrorism and Intelligence Agency Veterans Challenge the Official Account of 9/11 - Official Account of 9/11: "Terribly Flawed," "Laced with Contradictions," "a Joke," "a Cover-up"
May 18, 2009 English PDF English HTML Danish PDF
French PDF German PDF Greek PDF Norwegian PDF
Polish PDF Swedish PDF //

You also find multi-star generals, very high ranking former CIA, NSA, architects and engineers with impeccable records, top gun pilots and others whose resumes are absolutely stellar, discussing what ACTUALLY happened on 9-11--which author Jane Mayer does not in fact do in her book.

And consider reading books by David Ray Griffin, Webster Tarpley, and others, on 9-11. For example

"The New Pearl Harbor Revisited: 9/11, the Cover-Up, and the Exposé"(Paperback) by David Ray Griffin; as you search that on Amazon.com their system links you to the other books by Griffin and other authors. There are many useful books, this is a good one to start with.

I am not saying that the book by Jane Mayer is not an important book. It presents an analysis of post 9-11 America, and how 9-11 was used to vivisect the US Constitution in various ways--and this is a valuable contribution, no doubt, and relevant for Americans (and World citizens for that matter) who value liberty and freedom. What is being directly confronted is author Mayer's depiction of what actually transpired on Sept 11, 2001 versus the reality that an exceptionally large (and growing) body of experts are now stating (architects, engineers, military personnel, former CIA, NSA, etc, politicians and so on, around the World as well).

[...]

Really this book impressed me a lot, I am very happy to have this book.
Jane Mayer is excellent. Hope for the best from Jane. Thanks.

http://patriotsquestion911.com/ To fully take in this web site and carefully evaluate not only what is being stated by a very large number of talented people (which is constantly growing in number as well), along with the resumes of those who are saying what they are saying, you will need to take some time to reflect upon what might seem impossible to (some of) you. Sorry that the story of 9-11 itself, as well as the post 9-11 world, is unfortunately considerably more sinister and complex that what Jane Mayer has told.

On this web site, you find, for example,

//41 U.S. Counter-Terrorism and Intelligence Agency Veterans Challenge the Official Account of 9/11 - Official Account of 9/11: "Terribly Flawed," "Laced with Contradictions," "a Joke," "a Cover-up"
May 18, 2009 English PDF English HTML Danish PDF
French PDF German PDF Greek PDF Norwegian PDF
Polish PDF Swedish PDF //

You also find multi-star generals, very high ranking former CIA, NSA, architects and engineers with impeccable records, top gun pilots and others whose resumes are absolutely stellar, discussing what ACTUALLY happened on 9-11--which author Jane Mayer does not in fact do in her book.

And consider reading books by David Ray Griffin, Webster Tarpley, and others, on 9-11. For example

"The New Pearl Harbor Revisited: 9/11, the Cover-Up, and the Exposé"(Paperback) by David Ray Griffin; as you search that on Amazon.com their system links you to the other books by Griffin and other authors. There are many useful books, this is a good one to start with.

I am not saying that the book by Jane Mayer is not an important book. It presents an analysis of post 9-11 America, and how 9-11 was used to vivisect the US Constitution in various ways--and this is a valuable contribution, no doubt, and relevant for Americans (and World citizens for that matter) who value liberty and freedom. What is being directly confronted is author Mayer's depiction of what actually transpired on Sept 11, 2001 versus the reality that an exceptionally large (and growing) body of experts are now stating (architects, engineers, military personnel, former CIA, NSA, etc, politicians and so on, around the World as well).

Finally, be assured that the "disinfo" specialists will attack this review. Well, they are paid to do that, and in fact they are paid to to that 24/7 (Google James Fetzer and see his Youtube discussion of how the Wikipedia sites on 9-11 are monitored 24/7 by "specialists" who instantaneously eliminate any references to contradictions in the "official story" on 9-11--even when there can be no doubt whatsoever of the factual basis of such contradictions.) What is thus being asked of you is therefore very simple: Cut and paste a short URL and spend some time reading what exceptionally talented people from a variety of different backgrounds and disciplines are saying about what transpired on 9-11 as compared to the "official" story. Use your own intelligence and common sense vs the obfuscation from the disinfo teams.

This book is exceptionally well written. Even though I had a broad familiarity with the subject matter, this book nonetheless made me feel like I was looking at an old story with fresh eyes. If the seemingly relentless onslaught of governmental malfeasance over the last few years has left you somewhat anesthetized, Jane Mayer makes a noble effort to rekindle your outrage.

The tone of The Dark Side is, above all, supremely confident. There is a discernable absence of sentiment, as well as a disinclination to speculate. The story of how America re-established itself as a nation that is comfortable with cruelty is told with crisp efficiency. Additionally, Ms. Mayer has pulled this off without resorting to advocacy. This is the work of a professional journalist, not a pundit with an ideological score to settle.

Part of the problem with reading The Dark Side in the middle of 2009 is that much that it contains is now old news. The author, Jane Mayer, had a hand in reporting much of this news when it was fresh, and such reporting was a critical service, so it seems unfair to criticize the book on the grounds of "heard much of this before," particularly as I waited until now to read it, but the truth is that is one of the reactions I had.

Taking the book as a piece of the historical record, rather than as newsbreaking also leaves the experience wanting. There were four themes in the book: Torture produces nothing of value, torture produces something of value but, as a practical matter, its costs outweigh its benefits, torture is wrong (legally and morally) regardless of questions of value, and U.S. torture practices were incompetent. The book not only offers fact, but opinion, from dozens and dozens of sources, and their views on these four themes litter the book in indiscriminate fashion, without apparent recognition of the inconsistency that may arise between them. As a result, the factual questions about the consequences of torture were muddled.

Much less muddled, though, was the story that harsh interrogation treatments that involved significant pain and suffering became a part of U.S. policy through the direction of certain members of the Executive Branch. The reader does see how this could, and did, happen. Particularly with the compelling way this story is told, it makes the book a worthwhile read.

This book is both fascinating and sad. It provides a gripping account of the Bush administrations blatant and tragic suspension of the constitution and Geneva conventions to turn us from a nation of mostly-law to a nation of lawlessness, from protecting civil rights to becoming a major violator and torturer. All done in the same incompetent and arrogant fashion that is so typical of the CIA. (This comment is based on information from The Sword and Shield, Truth of the 9/11 Commission, The Looming Tower). We want to create a gulag, but reinvent it. We want to find terrorists, but endlessly reward bad ideas and incompetence, destroying thousands of lives and our country's reputation in the process.

The author provides some view into the mindset of what drove our country in this direction, and provides many details of what we did, showing the bureaucratic misdecisions and indecisions and corrupt decisions that led to our most senior government officials deciding that they were above the law.

It is very interesting from a historical and legal perspective, and unless you have preconceived notions that the Bush administration did no wrong and could do no wrong, you will find this a fascinating book.

My only complaint was that the author's portrayal of Zelikow is quite different than that I've read in other books, and that might lead to a more positive view of his role and Rice's role in the mess.

A very good, interesting, detailed read that is important to read

Doesn't get that we are not fighting an army, but a ruthless islamic group that will not stop until we are all dead or converted. Thank God for George Bush and Dick Cheney that protected us from these civilian killers. If it takes pouring water over their face to simulate drowning to save mine, or your family.........sign me up. Humiliation is not torture. These people cut off our heads. WAKE UP AMERICA!

The Bush-Cheney regime created a torture state worthy of the Nazi's right here in our midst. This book is a work of genius and should be read by anyone before they even think about going along with any torture program. Forget about waterboarding, many of these people were killed or simply disappeared. If the perpetrators of these horrors are not brought to justice, we in America have gone beyond all hope.