In July 2005, Rep. John Conyers, Jr., Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, commissioned this report after President Bush failed to answer a letter from 122 members of Congress and a half million Americans about the truth of the Downing Street Memos. This book is replete with evidence that the run-up to the Iraq War was laced with administration lies and distortions, to make it appear that the U.S. was threatened. As the Downing Street Memos say: "... the intelligence and facts were being fixed around the policy. "This unique compilation also includes information about torture in Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo and other detention centers in direct violation of the Geneva Convention, as well as information about unauthorized domestic spying by the National Security Agency. Readers of this crucial report will understand at last the erosion of Americans' rights, concerning war, privacy, and freedom of speech, presents a throat to our security and our liberty.

Determining to go to war before Congressional authorization -- Misstating and manipulating the intelligence to justify pre-emptive war -- Encouraging and countenancing torture and cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment -- Cover-ups and retribution -- Thwarting Congress and the American public: the death of accountability under the Bush administration and the Republican-controlled Congress -- Chronology: democracy without checks and balances -- Detailed findings.