Overview

"Since September 11, 2001, the world has been engulfed in a savage Global War on Terror. Atrocious acts of violence by small groups and individuals have been met by all of the brutal retaliatory power that governments can bring to bear on their enemies, ranging from the most advanced weaponry to one of the most ancient--torture. The use of torture, or ""enhanced interrogation techniques,"" has provoked impassioned debate as to its ethics and legality; in an age of terror and fear, however, the most relevant question may be: Does torture actually work--that is, does it provide crucial, lifesaving intelligence? Thisquestion must be asked because, as the introduction points out, ""If torture fails to deliver its objective, its use as a military weapon becomes as pointless as a faulty machine gun and is, perhaps, even a liability."" In this compelling new book, Yvonne Ridley probes for an answer through a meticulous review of documents and accounts from earlier conflicts, including World War II, Vietnam and the Algeria-France wars, as well as political memoirs and materials recovered under the Freedom of Information Act in the US and UK, and formerly classified documents from the UK National Archives. She pays particular attention to the ""ticking bomb"" theory popularized by Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz, which contends that countless lives of innocents could be saved on the basis of intelligence extracted under torture. Blending documentary analysis, case studies, the statements of those who authorized and in some cases carried out acts of torture, and interviews with its victims, Ridley lays out the pros and cons dispassionately, but without ever losing her moral compass. The result is a revelatorystudy of the use and misuse of violence in the name of ""civilization"" and ""freedom"" that reveals the truth about the utility of torture and the impact of its use."

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9781782668305

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Reviews

It is extremely timely to be examining the vexed subject of the use of torture as a weapon in modern warfare. Yvonne Ridley's conclusions will be well-noted by Human Rights advocates internationally. Rt. Hon. Alex Salmond, MP, former First Minister of Scotland A significant and level-headed book which makes important statements about a gruesome subject which has been wrongly neglected and suppressed. Peter Oborne, The Spectator Some world leaders have obviously not learned the lessons of history taught by revolting entities like the Spanish Inquisition or the Gestapo. Clive Stafford Smith, Human Rights lawyer Torture, as this objective and well-researched book shows, never works and degrades everyone involved. The human race should have grown out of this terrible practice centuries ago. Professor, the Lord Laird of Artigarvan This well-researched, troubling investigation into the moral morass surrounding the use of torture could not be more relevant as pro-torture Presidential candidate Donald Trump has put the issue centre stage in the battle for the White House James Murray, Sunday Express This unique book uncovers, through careful research, the use of torture, its methods and justification. It is of particular relevance at this time Joy Hurcombe, Guantanamo Justice Campaign A highly intelligent and masterly survey of torture in the modern world. As most security and military personnel know, it seldom if ever works and is a catastrophe for all involved. Kevin Cahill, former soldier, author and some-time war correspondent This examination of the use of torture by supposedly civilised democracies will shock right-thinking people everywhere. Martin Shipton, Media Wales chief reporter

Author Information

Yvonne Ridley is a journalist and author whose focus on modern war studies is borne out of her ordeal of being captured by the ruling Taliban in Afghanistan shortly after the 9/11 attacks in 2001. Living in the Scottish Borders, she still goes into conflict zones and has become an authority on the Global War on Terror. The contents of this book represent many years of research, including a four day visit to Guantanamo Bay. She has interviewed and drawn on the testimonies of victims of torture from 1945 to the present day as well as consulting with serving and retired military and intelligence officers from East to West.

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