The Dark Side is a dramatic; riveting; and definitive narrative account of how the United States made self-destructive decisions in the pursuit of terrorists around the world—decisions that not only violated the Constitution; but also hampered the pursuit of Al Qaeda. In spellbinding detail; Jane Mayer relates the impact of these decisions by which key players; namely Vice President Dick Cheney and his powerful; secretive adviser David Addington; exploited September 11 to further a long held agenda to enhance presidential powers to a degree never known in U.S. history; and obliterate Constitutional protections that define the very essence of the American experiment. With a new afterward. One of The New York Times 10 Best Books of the YearNational BestsellerNational Book Critics Circle Award Finalist A Best Book of the Year: Salon; Slate; The Economist; The Washington Post; Cleveland Plain-Dealer
#999435 in Books 2007-10-09 2007-10-09Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 7.98 x .71 x 5.18l; .69 #File Name: 0307386635336 pages
Review
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful. The Second Day - the Union HoldsBy P. McCarthyThirty-five years have passed since I first read Michael Shaara's "The Killer Angels" and Shelby Foote's "The Civil War". These two works served to instill in me a passion for the study of the Battle of Gettysburg; and after two long visits - and innumerable hours of reading - that passion still exists.Being from Mississippi; my interest in the battle focused primarily upon the efforts of Barksdale's brigade; as well as the incredible sacrifice of the 11th Mississippi Infantry Regiment. Not much attention was paid to the conflict on the southern end of the battlefield; in fact on my first real visit to Gettysburg; I didn't even visit the Round Tops. Today; a visit to the Gettysburg National Military Park is not complete without standing before the monuments to Col. Strong Vincent; Gen. Gouverneur K. Warren; and the 20th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment.Much of the interest in the fight for Little Round Top that exists today came about because of the 1993 movie entitled "Gettysburg" which loosely adapted Shaara's novel; and served to highlight the heroic stand of the 20th Maine; and its commanding officer Col. Joshua L. Chamberlain. It is well that such interest has been generated; for academic efforts such as Dr. Lafantasie's "Twilight at Little Round Top" have received popular as well as critical attention.Dr. Glen Lafantasie has undertaken an exhaustive research of the men and units involved in the fight for the left flank of the Union lines on July 2; 1863 - the Second Day. His book serves to provide not only the details; as best as they can be put together; of what happened on LRT; but also what was going through the minds of those who fought there. Diaries; reminiscences; newspaper accounts; magazine articles; books - all serve to provide the Professor with the things that bring not just those details; but the feelings; the shock; the horror; and yes; the exultation of the horrible combat for the little hill on the south end of the Union line. It is these details that make "Twilight" readable and captivating.Dr. Lafantasie lays also lays an undercurrent in his book; which serves to keep the reader focused on the reasons the participants risked their very lives in such horrific combat; he does this by addressing the Southerners' basic hypocrisy in their "Cause". How can a people claim to be fighting for their liberty; while at the same time seeking to preserve an institution that served to enslave almost 4 million human beings?Glen Lafantasie's "Twilight at Little Round Top" is thoroughly researched; well written; and serves to bring together so much information which will give a reader - whether a seasoned scholar or a casual peruser - an enjoyable and informative understanding of the Battle for Little Round Top.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. very compelling read. it puts you there in the ...By william gillespievery compelling read . it puts you there in the heat of battle!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy jim kennisonGREAT
