Law's Wars: The Fate of the Rule of Law in the US War on Terror

Law's Wars examines how the rule of law in the United States was tested and challenged during the post-9/11 War on Terror. The book traces key legal battles and policy decisions from 2001 through the Obama administration. The text covers interrogation practices, detention policies, surveillance programs, and military tribunals implemented as part of counterterrorism efforts. Government documents, court cases, and media coverage form the foundation of Abel's analysis of how legal principles faced unprecedented pressures. Each chapter focuses on specific aspects of national security law and civil liberties, examining the roles of the executive branch, Congress, courts, military, intelligence agencies, and civil society organizations. The interplay between security demands and constitutional rights remains central throughout the narrative. This work presents a critical study of how democratic legal systems respond when faced with perceived existential threats. The tension between preserving both security and fundamental rights raises enduring questions about the resilience of constitutional democracy.

Readers describe this as a detailed examination of how US counterterrorism policies challenged legal principles. Multiple reviews praise Abel's thorough documentation and research into legal cases and decisions. Readers appreciated: - Comprehensive coverage of key legal battles - Clear breakdown of complex court decisions - Extensive source citations and references Common criticisms: - Dense academic writing style that can be difficult to follow - Heavy focus on legal minutiae rather than broader policy implications - Length and detail level may overwhelm non-legal readers Review stats: Goodreads: 3.5/5 (4 ratings) No reviews available on Amazon One reviewer on Goodreads noted it "provides an important historical record" but "requires significant background knowledge of legal concepts." Another called it "meticulously researched but challenging for general audiences." Limited review data exists since this is an academic legal text with a specialized readership.

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📚 The book examines how the rule of law was challenged and eroded during 18 years (2001-2019) of the U.S. War on Terror, including detailed analysis of torture at Abu Ghraib and Guantánamo Bay. 🎓 Author Richard L. Abel is a Distinguished Research Professor at UCLA Law School and has spent over 45 years studying the relationship between law and society. ⚖️ The work is part of a two-volume series, with its companion book "Law's Trials" focusing on terrorism prosecutions in federal courts and military commissions. 🔍 The book draws from over 2,000 sources, including government documents, media reports, and scholarly articles to build its comprehensive examination of how legal principles were compromised. 🏛️ The research reveals that career civil servants and military personnel often worked to uphold the rule of law, while political appointees were more likely to compromise legal principles in pursuit of national security goals.