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4.72 AVERAGE
4.72 AVERAGE
Amazing. A must-read.
It's a very well-told collection of stories, mostly from Alabama and the deep south... ending with the reader basically being like "WTF is up with our legal system and basically everything in the country." So much is stacked against the poor, the minority (particularly black), women and juveniles... it was humbling to learn all the things I never knew went on. These are not stories from the distant past. These are stories from during my lifetime of flagrant police corruption, witness tampering, and wrongful convictions. Actions rooted in deep racism and power structures. It's really heartbreaking; I'm enraged.
I loved Stevenson's quote at the end: (paraphrased): The question isn't does the defendant deserve to die but do we deserve to kill.
I honestly didn't have much of a strong opinion on the death penalty before this. Now, I definitely do.
It's a very well-told collection of stories, mostly from Alabama and the deep south... ending with the reader basically being like "WTF is up with our legal system and basically everything in the country." So much is stacked against the poor, the minority (particularly black), women and juveniles... it was humbling to learn all the things I never knew went on. These are not stories from the distant past. These are stories from during my lifetime of flagrant police corruption, witness tampering, and wrongful convictions. Actions rooted in deep racism and power structures. It's really heartbreaking; I'm enraged.
I loved Stevenson's quote at the end: (paraphrased): The question isn't does the defendant deserve to die but do we deserve to kill.
I honestly didn't have much of a strong opinion on the death penalty before this. Now, I definitely do.
Upset that I didn't know about this book when it first came out. Always appalled at the things I didn't know about my country. Thank you Mr. Stevenson for your work, your book, and many quotable lines.
A must read! Should be required reading in order to “feel” history
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
slow-paced
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Bryan Stevenson himself. The way he talked about the cases he worked on was captivating, and it was easy to see how much he cared about the people he helped. Stevenson did amazing work in Alabama by setting up the EJI, which has only kept growing since the publication of this book.
It was challenging at times to hear such powerful and sorrowful tales of people who have been wrongly prosecuted and lay scared in a cell. However, this book also gives hope for the possibility of freedom for them as the EJI and other similar resources try to fight this injustice. It's not an easy change, and even the people freed still lose so much of their lives, but Stevenson gave me hope that there are good people out there willing to fight for what is right.
It was challenging at times to hear such powerful and sorrowful tales of people who have been wrongly prosecuted and lay scared in a cell. However, this book also gives hope for the possibility of freedom for them as the EJI and other similar resources try to fight this injustice. It's not an easy change, and even the people freed still lose so much of their lives, but Stevenson gave me hope that there are good people out there willing to fight for what is right.
I really enjoyed this book. I felt all the emotions reading and highly recommend for those who like criminal justice or want to learn a little more on mass incarceration and wrongful convictions.
Modern day hero? Look no further than Bryan Stevenson.
Be ready to feel rage at an unjust system, to cry over the human stories, and to cheer when justice is finally awarded.
Tears streamed down my face as one man was again denied release and headed to execution but not before his heartfelt words, “Mr. Bryan, I just want to thank you for fighting for me. I thank you for caring about me. I love y’all for trying to save me.” So much love for Mr. Stevenson being the one small ray of hope for so many.
She told me, “We’ve all been through a lot, Bryan, all of us. I know that some have been through more than others. But if we don’t expect more from each other, hope better for one another, and recover from the hurt we experience, we are surely doomed.”
Be ready to feel rage at an unjust system, to cry over the human stories, and to cheer when justice is finally awarded.
Tears streamed down my face as one man was again denied release and headed to execution but not before his heartfelt words, “Mr. Bryan, I just want to thank you for fighting for me. I thank you for caring about me. I love y’all for trying to save me.” So much love for Mr. Stevenson being the one small ray of hope for so many.
She told me, “We’ve all been through a lot, Bryan, all of us. I know that some have been through more than others. But if we don’t expect more from each other, hope better for one another, and recover from the hurt we experience, we are surely doomed.”
A powerful, inspirational book that reveals many of the injustices that exist within our criminal justice system. Bryan Stevenson is a brilliant, compassionate lawyer who has worked tirelessly for justice for all. I was already somewhat aware of the disadvantages that black people and poor people face when it comes to getting fair treatment under the law, but this book shed further light on the issues. The book is written in a clear, engaging style, even though it covers some complex legal concepts. I would highly recommend this book for anyone who would like to learn more about race, class, and the criminal justice system in this country. That being said, it isn't only a book about criminal justice, it's also a book about mercy, redemption, and humanity.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
Heartbreaking and so informative
This should be required reading for all Americans. The story is a bit slow and hard to follow in places where Stevenson shifts from one narrative to another, but overall, I appreciated learning the history of EJI as well as about nthe present state of our nation.