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4.72 AVERAGE
4.72 AVERAGE
Sometimes "important" books are not easy to read; they make a point but lack humanity.
Not Just Mercy.
This beautifully written (and read, by the author) book is eye-opening, at times horrifying, always hopeful and, most importantly, human. It is a vitally important book that is also an engaging story with characters I won't soon forget--a rare combination indeed.
Not Just Mercy.
This beautifully written (and read, by the author) book is eye-opening, at times horrifying, always hopeful and, most importantly, human. It is a vitally important book that is also an engaging story with characters I won't soon forget--a rare combination indeed.
This book was INCREDIBLE. Full review here: https://everyday-reading.com/just-mercy-by-bryan-stevenson/
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
This man is a treasure.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
I believe this was recommended by Lexi (newlynova) on YouTube. Upon completing The Count of Monte Cristo and Boy Swallows Universe, I had a growing interest in prison systems. I believe Lexi listed Notes on an Execution (which I am still reading) as one of her best books of the year, and it was my first book to involve the American prison system (as opposed to the Australian or French). If Boy Swallows Universe is what put the idea of a prison pen pal in my head, Just Mercy is what breathed life into the idea.
While I have yet to write to an inmate (as a safety precaution I'm looking into using a different address), Just Mercy has certainly opened my eyes to the injustices of the "justice" system. As a fan of Death Note and someone who was sympathetic to Light, Just Mercy was a sobering reminder that the world is not black and white.
I am fairly informed and open minded. Of course I had an idea of the subjects that would be touched upon, but I did not understand until it was spelled out to me the utter depths to the horrors experienced by prisoners both innocent and guilty, sentenced to death or to life. If I was not a passionate opponent to the death penalty before, I definitely am now.
This novel should be required reading in US history classes. It is absolutely abhorrent how often and how recent violations of human rights occur in prisons. No one is deserving of this treatment. Incarceration as a for profit system is sick and broken, and we feel the effects at every level of society. This will be something I must revisit once I have sufficient funds. As of right now (soon, unfortunately not currently) I will stick to writing letters and offering moral support.
I do not know much about prison systems in other countries around the world, but I would not be surprised if America's is one of the most broken. Court trials should not be pay to win. Justice is a joke as long as this continues.
While I have yet to write to an inmate (as a safety precaution I'm looking into using a different address), Just Mercy has certainly opened my eyes to the injustices of the "justice" system. As a fan of Death Note and someone who was sympathetic to Light, Just Mercy was a sobering reminder that the world is not black and white.
I am fairly informed and open minded. Of course I had an idea of the subjects that would be touched upon, but I did not understand until it was spelled out to me the utter depths to the horrors experienced by prisoners both innocent and guilty, sentenced to death or to life. If I was not a passionate opponent to the death penalty before, I definitely am now.
This novel should be required reading in US history classes. It is absolutely abhorrent how often and how recent violations of human rights occur in prisons. No one is deserving of this treatment. Incarceration as a for profit system is sick and broken, and we feel the effects at every level of society. This will be something I must revisit once I have sufficient funds. As of right now (soon, unfortunately not currently) I will stick to writing letters and offering moral support.
I do not know much about prison systems in other countries around the world, but I would not be surprised if America's is one of the most broken. Court trials should not be pay to win. Justice is a joke as long as this continues.
Who knew our justice system was so, well, unjust? This book opened my eyes and touched my heart. I was highlighting statistics and circling quotes left and right. The author not only sheds light on the horrible state of our country's criminal justice system, it shows the amazing work being done to change that and even the depth of forgiveness people can have who've been victims of wrongful accusations.
By the way, I never ever never want to live in Alabama. Never.
By the way, I never ever never want to live in Alabama. Never.
A must read. The author's storytelling is masterful and compels action to remedy the books' horrifying truths about those who are imprisoned and sentenced to die in America.
I’m not even sure what to say about this book. It is remarkable. What an amazing person to help take on these cases and to write about them. I was so frustrated and saddened by so much of what went on in this book. Knowing that these are real people just breaks my heart.
I loved several parts including when the prison guard (the one that had Mr. Stevenson strip searched at the prison) opened up about his past after finding common ground with the defendant. He even got him the milkshake.
Bryan Stevenson left me filled with hope and a lesson to have Just Mercy.
I loved several parts including when the prison guard (the one that had Mr. Stevenson strip searched at the prison) opened up about his past after finding common ground with the defendant. He even got him the milkshake.
Bryan Stevenson left me filled with hope and a lesson to have Just Mercy.
An absolute must-read about race and the criminal justice system in America.
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
This is a must read for all Americans and especially Alabamians.
I can’t believe this is the first time I’m reading this book. Criminal justice and prison reform has been an interest of mine for years but I was never adept at describing why it was so important or why people should get involved. Now I don’t need the words and I can just hand people this book. I’ve already ordered two copies to share.
I can’t believe this is the first time I’m reading this book. Criminal justice and prison reform has been an interest of mine for years but I was never adept at describing why it was so important or why people should get involved. Now I don’t need the words and I can just hand people this book. I’ve already ordered two copies to share.
It starts off well as a blend of autobiography, the story of one person on death row and some history about the death penalty and prison system in this country. For me the history and context were the most interesting, but the human touches added depth and meaning to it.
About halfway through the narrative and style starts to wander and deteriorate. It's as if the author became distracted at the same time as wanting to cram in a bunch more things they still had on the agenda for the book. So it turns into a sort rambly jumble of story fragments and touching stories. While somewhat informative, it lacks focus and isn't very coherent and moving when compared with the first half of the book.
Some main points-
The death penalty is ...
* on a gradual decline (yay)
* seriously inhumane, both before execution and during (why is this even in dispute?)
* imposed on people who often have the least access to a good legal defense
The author and their related orgs have done good work ...
* getting life sentences for juveniles struck down as cruel and inhumane
* freeing innocent people from death row
* trying to change the legal and prison system in the south
The environment in post-slavery america was (is) a system of persistent terrorism against black people. (which brings to mind, among other things : Terrorism: Theirs and Ours by Eqbal Ahmed)
Closing comment - I know of at least one person who was moved to volunteering work related to prisons as a result of reading this. If the effect of this book is to successfully raise awareness and motivate people to become engaged in various kinds of anti-prison/carceral state work then that alone is a success and gain for society.
About halfway through the narrative and style starts to wander and deteriorate. It's as if the author became distracted at the same time as wanting to cram in a bunch more things they still had on the agenda for the book. So it turns into a sort rambly jumble of story fragments and touching stories. While somewhat informative, it lacks focus and isn't very coherent and moving when compared with the first half of the book.
Some main points-
The death penalty is ...
* on a gradual decline (yay)
* seriously inhumane, both before execution and during (why is this even in dispute?)
* imposed on people who often have the least access to a good legal defense
The author and their related orgs have done good work ...
* getting life sentences for juveniles struck down as cruel and inhumane
* freeing innocent people from death row
* trying to change the legal and prison system in the south
The environment in post-slavery america was (is) a system of persistent terrorism against black people. (which brings to mind, among other things : Terrorism: Theirs and Ours by Eqbal Ahmed)
Closing comment - I know of at least one person who was moved to volunteering work related to prisons as a result of reading this. If the effect of this book is to successfully raise awareness and motivate people to become engaged in various kinds of anti-prison/carceral state work then that alone is a success and gain for society.