In 'The Dark Side,' Jane Mayer delivers a compelling chronicle of the U.S. government's approach to combating terrorism in the aftermath of 9/11. Facing unprecedented challenges, key figures like Vice President Dick Cheney orchestrated a campaign that prioritized national security over constitutional protections, leading to decisions that would tarnish America's moral standing. Through a detailed narrative, Mayer examines the real-world consequences of these decisions, from inhumane prisoner treatment to fallacious intelligence that influenced the Iraq War, revealing a sobering legacy of the Bush administration's war on terror.