First published 2005
Brittain combines individual narratives with judicial analysis and political discussion to examine the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay. The book investigates the legal and ethical questions raised by holding prisoners without trial during America's counterterrorism efforts. Through documented cases and expert testimony, it explores how these policies challenge fundamental principles of Western democracy. The work originally succeeded as a stage production in London before moving to New York theaters. Brittain presents evidence of the tension between national security measures and constitutional rights. The book reveals the human cost of indefinite imprisonment while questioning whether democratic societies can maintain their core values during wartime. It offers readers a comprehensive look at one of the most controversial aspects of post-9/11 policy.
Genres: history, american, political-science, politics, non-fiction, 21st-century, current-affairs, academic
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: investigative-journalism, social-commentary
Setting: Guantanamo Bay, United States
Period: Post-9/11
96 pages · Paperback · Oberon Books
Content warnings: torture, violence