Author(s): Philippe Sands

Current Affairs

Available late June 2008. This is the biography of a one page memorandum signed by Donald Rumsfeld on 2nd December, 2002 authorising 18 techniques of interrogation not previously allowed by the United States. The memorandum was in effect for six weeks during which at least two detainees at Guantanamo and the US airbase at Bagram died and a third was tortured over a period of seven weeks. "18 Techniques" traces the life of the memorandum and explores issues of individual responsibility. Four individuals dominate the story: Rumsfeld, US lawyer John Yoo, victim Mohammed al-Qahtani and X, an anonymous European prosecutor. Reviews for the author's previous book, Lawless World:'A frightening image of America self-exempted from the delicate fabric of international law on which human survival rests' Naom Chomsky'Devastating ... a shaming and convincing critique' Observer'Brilliant ... powerful ... His core message in this vibrant declaration of interdependence is clear and urgent' Helena Kennedy QC'If you don't want to know the truth don't read this devastating book' Phillip Adams , Late Night Live, Australian Broadcasting