Torture Central: E-mails From Abu Ghraib [Paperback]

Michael Keller (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 29, 2007

Michael Keller was once a software executive from Florida. Then came September 11, 2001. A few weeks after the al-Qaeda attacks on America, he joined the Army National Guard and was deployed to Iraq in November of 2005.

In this revealing collection of e-mails and photographs, Keller shares his first-hand experiences in the War on Terror. Discover how it feels to man a gun-turret during convoy operations through the “Highway of Death,” what it’s like to guard the detainees at “Torture Central,” and what goes on in a soldier’s mind during the moment he decides whether or not to kill someone.

But at the heart of Torture Central is Keller’s frustration at being assigned to the prison at Abu Ghraib without any training and with orders to torture detainees and ignore the Geneva Convention. His candid accounts illuminate his struggle to end the atrocities despite threats of punishment by superior officers. Shockingly, this mistreatment happened a year after the infamous abuse photos were published, following numerous investigations and public promises stating that the situation had been corrected.

Thought-provoking and full of chilling detail, Keller’s vivid look at Operation Iraqi Freedom is a must-read for all Americans.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Michael Keller is co-founder and chief technology officer of International Direct Selling Technology Corporation. He served in the Florida Army National Guard from 2001–2007, attaining the rank of sergeant. Keller, a graduate of the University of South Florida, lives in Tampa, Florida, with his wife and children.

Product Details

• Paperback: 188 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse, Inc. (October 29, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595456057
• ISBN-13: 978-0595456055
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,757,313 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MUST READ!!!, March 24, 2008

By 

A. Kaczynski (FL ,United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Torture Central: E-mails From Abu Ghraib (Paperback)

This book was a fantastic read. I have bought many copies for family and friends. It proves that one person can make a difference. I am proud to support our troops knowing that soldiers like Mr. Keller are representing our Country. I have seen and heard several interviews that Mr. Keller has done. He is not trying to profit or exploit anyone in any way. He just wants people to know what happened. Before anyone forms an opinion about the book they should read it first. That is really the only way an intelligent opinion can be made. There is no way you could find this book anything but riveting once you read it. I hope if I am ever placed in a situation where I can stand up and make a difference I will show the courage that Mr. Keller did.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great read!, March 26, 2008

By 

Binks71 - See all my reviews

This review is from: Torture Central: E-mails From Abu Ghraib (Paperback)

This was a great book. It gave insight to an individual's experiences and how the events changed his life. Highly recommended.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thanks for telling your story!, May 29, 2008

By 

Charlene (Reno) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Torture Central: E-mails From Abu Ghraib (Paperback)

Keller's book details how the Army had ordered soldiers to disregard our own laws set for handling prisoners or detainees. Perhaps the Army's callous disregard for the Geneva Convention is part of the reason so many American soldiers have endured lasting psycological problems. American soldiers know that abuse is wrong so when returning home, have trouble living with the knowledge that they were a part of it. This book shows how he helped not only detainees, but American soldiers by making a stand against the orders at Abu Ghraib. Hopefully Keller has helped US soldiers that have followed him to Iraq by fighting the system and changing the status quo. This book shows that one person can make a difference.