Reviews - Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption

7.6k reviews for:

Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption

Bryan Stevenson

4.72 AVERAGE

mckracken's review against another edition

4.25

dark emotional hopeful informative medium-paced

becinneverland's review

5.0

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative medium-paced

tap_dancer_00's review against another edition

5.0

Like many people, I rushed to read this book after watching the movie of the same title. I was glad I listened to the audiobook, because the author is a fantastic narrator.

This book is not just a memoir about Bryan Stevenson's professional career as a lawyer and founder of the Equal Justice Initiative in Alabama. The book felt more like a classroom lecture of the best kind, where Mr. Stevenson discussed challenges and plights of our judicial system and using his own experiences as examples of such atrocities through the lens of individuals being sentenced to death, life without parole, or other unusual and cruel punishments.

I can't tell you how many times listening to this book my heart would ache at the injustices afflicted to so many people, sometimes audibly gasping out of disbelief. Stevenson is a masterful storyteller and teacher, and I appreciated that he didn't go on rants about the various issues he presented. Instead, he would provide background history on decisions made by our judicial and legal leaders coupled with some vignettes about real live people that were affected by the consequences of these rules and policies in place.

I think books and stories like these drive the point home that we have to remember that no matter the political or social issue at hand, it is personal as long as people are involved - we can't separate the humanity from our actions and decisions. My heartstrings really pulled when hearing about people with disabilities being sentenced when their lawyers didn't take the time to look into their medical/psychiatric history, not doing their clients and justice. This isn't to say wrongdoers shouldn't be punished, but books like this one spoke to my heart about the importance of civility, humanity, and rehabilitation.

I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in our legal and justice system, as well as American history and other social science topics.

ekbsports's review against another edition

5.0

I have never been a supporter of the death penalty and am grateful that Bryan Stevenson brings to light the dangers of capital punishment and life imprisonment sentences for minors. He presents some of his own commentary on this but also weaves in stories of real people he has helped and tried to help. Highly recommend.

readinginthesky's review against another edition

5.0

We hear about judicial reform and problems with the legal system all the time, but how many of us really know specifics about the issues? This book really taught me so much about a lot of important topics. It's hard to believe the main cases Just Mercy focuses on were in the 90s because they could be ones that are happening right now. Stevenson writes with a great mix of detail and empathy and I look forward to continue learning and finding more of his work.