As seen on 60 Minutes A New York Times bestselling, explosive memoir about the creation and implementation of the controversial enhanced interrogation techniques by the former Chief Operations Officer for the CIA's Center for Counterterrorism.Former Chief of the CIA's Center for Counterterrorism, Jose A. Rodriguez, Jr., reveals how, in the wake of 9/11, government-approved hard measures used on captured high-level al-Qa'ida operatives derailed terrorist threats to the US, contributed to the capture of Osama bin Laden, and saved countless American lives. That is, until initial support gave way to shortsighted political correctness, leaving those responsible for protecting our nation second-guessed, hamstrung, and investigated. In effect, the United States has chosen to willfully and unilaterally disarm itself in the war on terror. Rodriguez melds his fascinating life story with a reasoned, previously untold, and convincing case for hard measures. Fully disclosing explosive details of when and how they were used, and why these methods were necessary, he offers a rare insider's look at an issue that seizes public attention and inspires vigorous debate.

While the American public is aware of the CIA's use of highly controversial "enhanced interrogation techniques," few know the man who, in the wake of September 11, led all U.S. counterterrorism operations and oversaw the use of those procedures—procedures that obtained vital and timely intelligence and helped safeguard the nation from future attacks.