Plot summary, “The Dark Side” by Jane Mayer in 4 Minutes - Book Review

The Dark Side (2008) by Jane Mayer is a critical historical analysis of the U.S. "War on Terror" following the September 11, 2001 attacks. Drawing from extensive reporting for The New Yorker, Mayer argues that the Bush administration exploited public sentiment to push through politically motivated actions, including state-sanctioned torture, such as waterboarding and sexual violence. The book examines the power dynamics within the administration, particularly the influence of figures like Dick Cheney, David Addington, and John Yoo, and highlights how the government bypassed legal norms in its pursuit of security. Mayer critiques the unprecedented expansion of executive power and the systematic denial of human rights, making The Dark Side a damning exploration of the administration's conduct and its long-lasting consequences on American democracy.