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Dead Man Walking: An Eyewitness Account of the Death Penalty in the United States by Helen Prejean
michelle_arnold's review against another edition
5.0
If you supported the death penalty when you started this book, you won't by the time you're finished. It's a heavy book and full of facts, but definitely an eye-opener on the not-so-balanced justice system in America.
momoneymoproblems's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
davidgross13's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
3.0
Sister Helen Prejean’s book is highly informative. Where discussions have gone now regarding prisons this isn’t as strong as I would’ve liked. But she has done some great work and it was inspiring to hear about the battles she’s fought trying to get these humans a second chance in life.
labunnywtf's review against another edition
5.0
I've had this book for some time now, hesitant to read it because it's written by a nun. Nine years of Catholic school can mess a person up when it comes to nuns.
But then the Troy Davis execution happened, and my anger and frustration was too much for me. So I picked up the book.
I'm extraordinarily wishy-washy when it comes to the death penalty. A great part of me doesn't think 12 people have the right to decide the death of another human being. And considering how much we frown on executions in other countries, hiding behind our "cruel and unusual" excuse is just not good enough.
However. I look at my niece, and my godchildren. And I think of something happening to me. And then I realize that I would want to pull the switch myself.
This book didn't exactly change my view on the death penalty, but it gave me a very real perspective on what happens to murderers in this state when they wait their deaths. It also shows, in a non confrontational, sincere way, how someone who is against the death penalty views things.
Sister Prejean writes with such sincerity and gentleness. Not judgmental, but she doesn't make these men sound like angels, either. I have endless amounts of respect for her, and the work she's done and still does.
But then the Troy Davis execution happened, and my anger and frustration was too much for me. So I picked up the book.
I'm extraordinarily wishy-washy when it comes to the death penalty. A great part of me doesn't think 12 people have the right to decide the death of another human being. And considering how much we frown on executions in other countries, hiding behind our "cruel and unusual" excuse is just not good enough.
However. I look at my niece, and my godchildren. And I think of something happening to me. And then I realize that I would want to pull the switch myself.
This book didn't exactly change my view on the death penalty, but it gave me a very real perspective on what happens to murderers in this state when they wait their deaths. It also shows, in a non confrontational, sincere way, how someone who is against the death penalty views things.
Sister Prejean writes with such sincerity and gentleness. Not judgmental, but she doesn't make these men sound like angels, either. I have endless amounts of respect for her, and the work she's done and still does.
thethirdcrouch's review against another edition
5.0
I appreciate the honesty of sister Helen Prejean in telling how it is in dealing with death-row inmates and telling the side of victim's family. Death penalty is a really complicated subject because you clearly have valid points on either side of the conversation. This is especially divisive in US criminal justice system where black people are disproportionately and unjustly punished. At the latter part of this book sister Prejean was able to expose another fault in the justice system or the policing system, i think, which is the assistance towards the victim's family especially if they are not well-off. This is particularly hard in poor black communities. You understand how the police would choose not to go there because of high crime rate in those areas which others justify as to why police treat black people differently. #BlackLivesMatter is being criticized for not caring when it is a black on black crime which is absurd and beside the point. This movement started because of the police's different and often violent treatment of black 'criminals' mostly if you would compare them to white mass-shooters. George Floyd died with a cop pressing his knee on his neck. Cops were called for a possible forgery. You died due to a possible forgery but mass-shooters get handcuffed without getting a scratch! Sorry for veering off the book because first I'm reading this during the unprecedented protests that rose after seeing the video of the cop killing Floyd, and second you can't not include the african-american community in the criminal and prison system. A significant amount of state funding is given to the death penalty processes which is disheartening considering how little is provided in funding the betterment of communities especially the poor black communities. The US has not kept up yet on helping the african-american community, whose ancestors were pushed to do the hard work all work without pay without better living, to the same level of playing field as the white people. You don't expect them to make better with their lives if you left them in the dirt in the first place. Then public officials, left or right, is not doing anything to enrich these communities. It is too late now because the damage is so deep. It is not too late though to try.
I'm not sure if sister Prejean had not helped a black death-row inmate but not including one here, in more elaborate detail atleast, is a good decision I think. It brings the conversation to its basic questions of revenge, electric chair, death, sin. It gives more impact to bigger issue like racial injustice if you can establish that at its basic the death penalty and all its processes is not right.
Somehow the book doesn't preach us to pick the side of abolitionist. It tells us some stories of pain, death, revenge, hope, and forgiveness; on the side of abolitionist or the supporters, on the side of inmate or the victim's family. Sister Prejean was able to tell how death-penalty is not the answer, is not the best option not a good option. But this issue is not easy and that's what the books is showing us.
I'm not sure if sister Prejean had not helped a black death-row inmate but not including one here, in more elaborate detail atleast, is a good decision I think. It brings the conversation to its basic questions of revenge, electric chair, death, sin. It gives more impact to bigger issue like racial injustice if you can establish that at its basic the death penalty and all its processes is not right.
Somehow the book doesn't preach us to pick the side of abolitionist. It tells us some stories of pain, death, revenge, hope, and forgiveness; on the side of abolitionist or the supporters, on the side of inmate or the victim's family. Sister Prejean was able to tell how death-penalty is not the answer, is not the best option not a good option. But this issue is not easy and that's what the books is showing us.
elametly_2787's review against another edition
5.0
After a longtime i completed this book without being able to keep down. First time for a non-fiction book. I wanted to see the movie 'Dead Man Walking' for a longtime and didn't know it was based on a non-fiction book. So when i saw this in a thrift store immediately bought it and started reading it. It wasn't preachy or full sentimental as i expected. I felt Sister Helen has written everything as it is without adding or exaggerating anything for melodrama. The reason why i couldn't keep this book down was the conflict about the capital punishment. How i could see from both murder victim families point of view and Sister Helen and Murderers(Now Deathrow inmates) point of view, it kept me glued and even till now i can't decide whether i'm against or supporting capital punishment. But this book places valid arguments about capital punishments, how it affects the people who has to prepare for this formal execution/killing of a person just because it was their job even if they are against capital punishment, victim families demand for justice via capital punishment, the various complexities in crime justice system and how the people sentenced with capital punishment are only the poor people who can't afford good defense lawyers, the politics which goes in background of the capital punishments etc. It had a religious and spiritual arguments also regarding the life and death and how both the peoples who supports capital punishment and the ones who are against it quotes from the bible from various chapters as per their requirements. It's a must read for anyone who wants to know about the capital punishments and how the justice system handles them.
gjones19's review against another edition
5.0
One of the most powerful books I’ve ever read. Prejean captures the tragedy of capital punishment and the beauty of mercy.
thomcote's review against another edition
5.0
A fantastic first-hand account that makes a clear and compelling argument against the death penalty.
courtneyptum's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book (my favorite of '21 so far). Powerful testimony, difficult subject, moving, inspiring, and hopelessly sad at the same time.