When states are threatened by war and terrorism, can we really expect them to abide by human rights and humanitarian law? David Forsythe's book is a bold critique of US policies towards terror suspects after 9/11, providing an account which will interest all those who value human rights and humanitarian law.

1. Prisoner abuse and political morality in historical perspective; 2. Political morality and the Bush Administration; 3. Bush lawyers: the politics of legal interpretation; 4. The military: Afghanistan, Guantanamo, Iraq; 5. The CIA: kidnapping, Black Sites, extraordinary rendition; 6. Due process: detention classification, Military Commissions; 7. Prisoner abuse and the politics of transnational justice.

'This important book details the massive abuse of human rights of US prisoners since 9/11. It is up to date as of July 2010, thus covering the problematic actions of the Obama Administration as well as that of George W. Bush. In a form accessible to scholars, students, and the general public, Dr Forsythe's careful research and analysis underscore how fragile human rights become when national security seems to be at stake.' Rhoda E. Howard-Hassmann, Canada Research Chair in International Human Rights, Wilfrid Laurier University'Forsythe's encyclopedic chronicle of America's descent to the dark side capably tackles the tough question: What are the wages of American exceptionalism?' Gabor Rona, International Legal Director, Human Rights First, New York'This is a well-written, accessible and authoritative political history of the United States' misguided post-9/11 dalliance with the 'dark side', by resort to torturous interrogation techniques, 'extraordinary renditions', abductions, secret detention and administrative internment.' Sir Nigel Rodley KBE, Chair, Human Rights Centre, University of Essex'Prolific human rights author Forsythe ... has produced a study of the post-9/11 dramatic turn in US policy away from recognized human rights standards regarding treatment of prisoners ... Though the information in the book is widely available, Forsythe compiles a coherent and compelling narrative of the resulting policies. He does so while naming names of the officials pushing these policies and the legal maneuverings that led to Guantanamo, Abu Ghraib, and black sites. Addressing these serious violations carried out during the Bush administration remains a task the Obama administration has largely sidestepped. The appendixes include a summary of numerous official reports with web citations and selected excerpts of basic human rights treaties with commentary. Abundant footnotes provide additional context for future students and scholars of this dark period in US foreign policy ... Highly recommended.' N. N. Haanstad, Choice Reviews Online (cro2.org)'The Politics of Prisoner Abuse is an extremely well-articulated narrative of the different aspects of the torture debate that will undoubtedly be of use to scholars and teachers of American politics, international relations, and the ethics of violence.' Perspectives on Politics