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Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption
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Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption
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Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption
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Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption

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About this audiobook

#1 New York Times Bestseller | Named one of the Best Books of the Year by The New York Times • The Washington Post • The Boston Globe • The Seattle Times • Esquire • Time
 
Winner of the Carnegie Medal for Nonfiction | Winner of the NAACP Image Award for Nonfiction | Winner of a Books for a Better Life Award | Finalist for the Los Angeles Book Prize | Finalist for the Kirkus Reviews Prize | An American Library Association Notable Book


A powerful true story about the potential for mercy to redeem us, and a clarion call to fix our broken system of justice-from one of the most brilliant and influential lawyers of our time

 
Bryan Stevenson was a young lawyer when he founded the Equal Justice Initiative, a legal practice dedicated to defending those most desperate and in need: the poor, the wrongly condemned, and women and children trapped in the farthest reaches of our criminal justice system. One of his first cases was that of Walter McMillian, a young man who was sentenced to die for a notorious murder he insisted he didn't commit. The case drew Bryan into a tangle of conspiracy, political machination, and legal brinksmanship-and transformed his understanding of mercy and justice forever.
 
Just Mercy is at once an unforgettable account of an idealistic, gifted young lawyer's coming of age, a moving window into the lives of those he has defended, and an inspiring argument for compassion in the pursuit of true justice.
 
Praise for Just Mercy
 
"Every bit as moving as To Kill a Mockingbird, and in some ways more so . . . a searing indictment of American criminal justice and a stirring testament to the salvation that fighting for the vulnerable sometimes yields."-David Cole, The New York Review of Books
 
"Searing, moving . . . Bryan Stevenson may, indeed, be America's Mandela."-Nicholas Kristof, The New York Times
 
"You don't have to read too long to start cheering for this man. . . . The message of this book . . . is that evil can be overcome, a difference can be made. Just Mercy will make you upset and it will make you hopeful."-Ted Conover, The New York Times Book Review
 
"Inspiring . . . a work of style, substance and clarity . . . Stevenson is not only a great lawyer, he's also a gifted writer and storyteller."-The Washington Post
 
"As deeply moving, poignant and powerful a book as has been, and maybe ever can be, written about the death penalty."-The Financial Times
 
"Brilliant."-The Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"Not since Atticus Finch has a fearless and committed lawyer made such a difference in the American South. Though larger than life, Atticus exists only in fiction. Bryan Stevenson, however, is very much alive and doing God's work fighting for the poor, the oppressed, the voiceless, the vulnerable, the outcast, and those with no hope. Just Mercy is his inspiring and powerful story."-John Grisham
 
"Bryan Stevenson is one of my personal heroes, perhaps the most inspiring and influential crusader for justice alive today, and Just Mercy is extraordinary. The stories told within these pages hold the potential to transform what we think we mean when we talk about justice."-Michelle Alexander, author of The New Jim Crow

Editor's Note

On the screen…

Bryan Stevenson has tirelessly fought for the disenfranchised as a lawyer and the director of the Equal Justice Initiative, and his book is a lauded look at the injustices of America’s prison system. It’s been on the New York Times bestseller list for years, won several awards, and now has a movie adaptation starring Michael B. Jordan.

LanguageEnglish
Release dateOct 21, 2014
ISBN9780553550610
Unavailable
Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption

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Rating: 4.6569408930150304 out of 5 stars
4.5/5

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  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Read this book. It is a powerful look at the criminal justice system, poverty, and race in America, particularly in the south. Stevenson developed a passion for helping the nation's forgotten in the justice system after spending most of his internship negotiating appeals for death row prisoners and ended up founding the Equal Justice Initiative. He has dedicated his career to fighting for true justice--making sure that punishments for crimes committed are fair and that the poorest in prisons have the opportunity for representation in their cases. The book revolves around the case of Walter McMillian a black man who was falsely accused of murdering a white woman. Despite lack of evidence and a plethora of witnesses who put him nowhere near the scene of the murder, he was unjustly tried, convicted, and sentenced to death row. Packed with stories, this book is both deeply moving and extremely thought-provoking. Just read it.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    he stories Stevenson shared crushed me, like a pressure on my chest. I read a chapter at a time, then had to step away and let the horror and despair subside. For Stevenson reveals an American justice system not only without mercy but that was corrupted on the local level for political gain.In the 1980s, fear of rising crime was used by politicians who proposed stricter and harsher prison sentences, three-strike laws, and treating children as adults. As prisons filled to overcapacity, for-profit prisons arose and they lobbied for harsher sentences to keep their business profitable. The death penalty was reinvigorated, even if the methods employed were cruel and unreliable.Caught in the cycle are innocent men and women, children relegated to life in prison where they are sexually abused, the mentally handicapped, and women who raped by men unpunished for their abuse of power.Bryan Stevenson was drawn to seek justice for those on death row, especially the innocent without legal counsel. He started the Equal Justice Initiative and Just Mercy is the story of his work and the people he tried to help. It is a cry for reform of the justice and prison system. And a cry for mercy.The book has won numerous awards and prizes. Nicholas Kristof of the New York Times called it, "Searing, moving." It is a disturbing book to read, especially because upright citizens who demand punishment have little idea of who they are condemning and what they are condemning them to. We have instituted "vengeful and cruel punishments" justified by our own suffering. "But simply punishing the broken--walking away from them or hiding them from sight--only ensures that they remain broken and we do, too. There is no wholeness outside of our reciprocal humanity," Stevenson writes.There is one story that brings hope. A prison guard who showed extreme racial prejudice learns more about the prisoner he has treated with contempt, and he could connect his experiences to the prisoner's. It changed the guard's mind and his life.Stevenson is the mouthpiece for the stories of unjustly imprisoned men and women, allowing readers to understand their walk. May we learn compassion and press for a just system, showing mercy to those broken by racism, mental illness, poverty, addiction, abuse, and trauma.As Stevenson reminds us, we are all broken people.I received a free book from Blogging for Books in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Bryan Stevenson was a young lawyer when he founded the Equal Justice Initiative, a legal practice dedicated to defending those most desperate and in need: the poor, the wrongly condemned, and women and children trapped in the farthest reaches of our criminal justice system. I enjoyed listening to the audio about Walter McMillian, a young man who was sentenced to die for a notorious murder he insisted he didn’t commit and how Bryan Stevenson helped him and others from Alabama. Bryan has a compassion in the pursuit of true justice. I recommend reading this if you are interested in the flaws of our justice system and what needs to be changed.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I am a relatively new follower of Bryan Stevenson and the Equal Justice Initiative and am in awe of his work. I first heard his name while reading Ray Hinton’s memoir The Sun Does Shine. I’ve since heard him on The Axe Files and am aware of the Netflix special. His life’s work is for justice for inmates. Some were wrongfully convicted, some were imprisoned for unreasonable times or in unreasonable conditions, many were on death row.EJI is based in Alabama and much of the work has been done in the South where racism in the court system is particularly harmful. While reading this book I also attended a musical, The Scottsboro Boys, which brings to life the case and appeals of nine African American youths wrongly accused and sentenced to die in Alabama. The comparison and longstanding history of a flawed justice system and prison system couldn’t be clearer.Stevenson is humble, hardworking, motivated and compassionate. He sees his client’s flaws but works for just mercy for all.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I think one quote from the book sums it up - Capital Punishment means people without capital are the ones who get punished. Although as some reviewers noted the book focuses on cases where Mr Stevenson won reduced sentences or even won overturns of convictions, but it's through those cases you really get to see how unjust our justice system is and remains. Yes people like Mr Stevenson have helped to make some improvements, in particular in juvenile sentences, but there is still so much more to be done. Unfortunately capitalism has made incarceration a huge private industry with all of its lobbyists to grease the pockets in D.C. to keep it as is. Very well written. If you don't mind putting the book down at night and sitting there angry unable to sleep, then it is a must read.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Intelligent, sad disheartning true stories of a lawyers stuggles to prove innocent people were sent to their deaths for crimes they did not comit. So many times, while reading, i was flabergasted with the inadequaties of the american justice system in the deep south. So much discrimination toward innocent black americans.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    There is so much in the news these days about social injustice and inequity in our legal system. People who don't have financial resources can't get good representation and spend more time in jail, even when they are innocent. With DNA testing, we've learned of innocent people who have spent DECADES in prison. Idealistically, we always picture Justice as blind, but really, Justice can be bought off and if you are poor and a person of color, then, you're possibly in for a rough ride. And honestly, reading about all of this in the news is incredibly depressing and although I've wanted to read this book for awhile, I was worried that this would be such a dark and depressing story that I've put it off for a few years. And although some of the individual stories in this book are BRUTAL, the overall feeling I had after reading this book was optimism and a desire to spread the word -- READ THIS BOOK. It's important.You're probably thinking, 'how can I make a difference, I don't work on criminal justice or the legal system.' But knowledge is power. And the more that people are aware of the inequality in our legal system, the better chance that we will fix it. And when someone ignorantly uses the statistic that a higher percentage of convicted felons are black as a rationale that people of color are more likely to commit crimes, you can gently (or not so gently) correct them that this occurs because of our legal system is not fair to people of color.Read this book -- you'll be glad that you did.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This a transformative read. It is also timely and hopeful.

    Mr. Stevenson is a very sweet man, and through his heroic efforts an innocent man avoided the death penalty, and child offenders avoided lifelong sentences. We all can learn valuable lessons from this man. Thank you, Bryan Stevenson for your gallant pursuit of lasting justice and unmerited mercy. You, sir, are a hero.

    Read this book.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I would give this 10 stars if I could. This book was amazing. I had heard Bryan Stevenson's TED talk before and thought he was a great speaker with an important message. I'm so glad I finally read this. If you watched Netflix's Making a Murderer and were struck by the story, then you will find this book incredibly powerful--I can't recommend this enough!!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Someone, aware of our interest in the death penalty gave my wife a copy of this stunning book. Stevenson's first person account of his attempts to save people on death row, centers on the story of a man convicted and sentenced for the crime of being a self-sufficient black man in the Deep South. That it took as long as it did for this innocent man to be released from death row is an indictment of all of us, not just our criminal justice system. And the story, as Stevenson illustrates, is true for children, mentally handicapped people and poor people generally. It is a difficult book to read and it must be a difficult life to live for Stevenson, but he ends an a profound note of compassion and hope.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Really this is a very good book. I was surprised since this topic of law and justice is not something I usually read. I really like how strongly the author felt about changing justice and not being ok with seeing innocent people being treated wrongly. The book is written so well that it kept me captivated and it wasn't dry or boring. I felt for the people in the book and it made me think about my own area and life experience. What would I do in that type of situation? What if I was wrongly accused? Good for Stevenson to stand up for justice. "I received this book from LibraryThing for free and wanted to write an honest review."
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Read from November 29 to December 11, 2016A powerful memoir of an attorney's career advocating for those with no voice and no hope. By the end, this book had changed my view on the death penalty.I'm not sure what led me to this book. I saw it in a list? I thought it was fiction--it wasn't until I started reading that I realized it wasn't. The chapters jump back-and-forth between the case of Walter McMillian and other cases and causes Stevenson has worked on. McMillian's story is threaded throughout and ties the work together. All of the stories shared are examples of what is wrong with our justice system. Fans of John Grisham or Jodi Picoult looking for something a little different (and nonfiction) should definitely try this one.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Highlighting the confounding issues of race, poverty, disability, and children being tried as adults, Bryan Stevenson tells true stories of incarcerated individuals to make a case for large-scale reform of the justice system. Using captivating stories, he sets an easy-to-follow base for providing case law, sociological trends, and statistics supporting the philosophy behind the people he has fought for. He advocates for some specific reform that he'd like to see, but by and large, this book makes a large-scale case for the public to rethink our justice system, prison system, and the place for mercy.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Moving, heartbreaking, outraging.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I've read several nonfiction books about miscarriages of justice, and they never fail to amaze me. This one is no exception.Bryan Stevenson fights to exonerate people wrongly convicted, especially those minorities that represent a very disproportionate number of incarcerated people. And once you are convicted, it is very, very hard to get that conviction overturned, especially in the deep south, no matter what information may present itself.While this book follows most closely the story of Walter McMillian, a black man convicted of murder, it also covers several other cases and the justice system in general. While spending decades of your life in prison for something you didn't do is unimaginable, especially heartbreaking is the information on children sentenced to life in prison.“By 2010, Florida had sentenced more than a hundred children to life imprisonment without parole for non-homicide offenses, several of whom were thirteen years old at the time of the crime.”That is just one small example. Laws are changing, but there are still children caught in judicial limbo.I am not naive enough to think all these people are saints, and I don't agree with everything the author says, but we have to correct the problems with our judicial and incarceration systems.The information on drugs used for lethal injection is terrifying and criminal in itself, all the more so because of the recent botched execution by lethal injection of a man in Arizona.This book isn't the best written that I have ever read. As an example, all of a sudden it jumps to Walter's pretrial information to after his conviction. It does go back to explain the trial, but the jump was confusing. Also, the author was working for one organization, and then started another, and if the shift was explained, I certainly missed it, and never did figure out what the acronym of the new organization stands for.While this book may not be a writing masterpiece, it is well worth reading for the information it contains.I was given an advance readers copy of the book for review, and the quote may have changed in the published edition.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Anyone who believes justice is truly blind - or fair - needs to read this book. Bryan Stevenson takes us deep into the criminal justice system, sharing details of his cases and experiences as a defense attorney working for a nonprofit organization. At its very core, our legal system is skewed in favor of the wealthy and the white. Biases and outright racism are justice's dirty little secret. I read a lot of law-based nonfiction and true crime, and I was already aware of the deep cracks in our criminal justice system. Even so, the blatant racism that still exists within the deep south took my breath away. I found myself at equal turns angry and disheartened. I wondered how anyone could do what this man does each day and not give in to the depths of despair. Stevenson walks us through his work with inmates on death row. Some are guilty, some are not. The people sentenced to death vary in intelligence, mental health and, to some degree, race. One thing that does not change is that they are all poor. They did not have access to good legal aid. Often they did not even receive competent representation. While these stories are disturbing, what I found most appalling was the section dealing with children. Here in the U.S., we are making it our mission to try children in adult courts. We hand life sentences without the possibility of parole to prepubescent children, for non-homicide crimes. We're putting 12- and 13-year-old kids in adult prisons, with violent criminals who are very much adults. We treat them like trash, locking them away to keep the prison wheels turning. Part of Bryan Stevenson's work is to help these kids, to commute their sentences to something a bit more rational and humane, and to often be the only caring adult these kids have in their lives.While nothing about the content is light, Stevenson's writing style is conversational and easy to read. He doesn't use a lot of technical jargon. He doesn't reach for flowery prose or obscure words. This book is designed to be read by the masses, whether you have a simple high school education or a law degree.Bryan Stevenson's work is commendable. This man is one of those unsung heroes in life. We hold athletes up on pedestals because they can throw a ball, while people like Stevenson make the world a better place without a bit of recognition. We can't all be lawyers. We can't all dedicate our lives the way he does. But we can all pull our heads out of the sand and demand change.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I needed a "real" book to read for my first day in the pool so picked up Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption. I almost finished it last night but had to wait until this morning to read the last word. It was a hard book to read in many ways and yet I couldn't stop. The stories of innocent men on death row and early teens sentenced to life without parole in adult prison are devastating. For instance, Ian, a 13-year-old sentenced to life, spent 18 years in uninterrupted solitary confinement as a way to protect him from sexual assault in the adult prison.Water McMillan's story forms the centerpiece of the book. He was not just falsely accused of a murder, but police and prosecutors actively worked to put him on death row despite knowing he was innocent. The main witness against him told a ridiculous story, which he recanted numerous times, but he was ignored as those in control needed a conviction. When he was finally released, McMillan attempted to return to a normal life, but that was impossible. I'll warn you: there may be justice, mercy and redemption but there are not a lot of happy endings. The book goes more deeply than just the stories of a flawed justice system. Stevenson and his colleagues work primarily in Alabama where racism and segregation continue to influence all areas of life including jury selection and criminal investigations. But, it isn't just the south: states throughout the country ignore new laws related to juvenile sentencing and some do not even guarantee representation. I made a donation to the Equal Justice Initiative and signed up for my own state's anti-death penalty group. But I think there is much more to be done starting with making sure all our young people have equal access to education.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I had not heard of this book until it was chosen for my book club. It is a memoir by a young, idealistic lawyer who founded a legal practice dedicated to defending the unjustly convicted and those most desperate and in need. This is a chilling account of just how broken our justice system is and the difference one person can make in the lives of so many.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Oh man! I started this book and after just a chapter or so, put it down and said "I'm not going to be able to finish this...it's just too painful. I'll just have to admit defeat and for the first time, not review an Early Reviewer book." Then after a week or so I picked it back up and vowed to give it another try. As horrifying as Bryan's experiences are, this book ended up grabbing me and refusing to let go. His experiences are mainly in the South (Alabama) but seriously...if you think this is the only place where there is RAMPANT corruption in the legal system, you just haven't been paying attention (Chicago. NY. DC. Detroit. New Orleans. Need I go on?) While I don't agree with EVERYthing Bryan Stevenson believes in, there can hardly be any argument that when it comes to the death penalty (and I live in Texas...where we're serious about our capital punishment) there are some major issues with indigent defendants being railroaded onto death row simply because they cannot afford anything close to competent defense attorneys. There have been too many prisoners released due to DNA evidence to argue that point with much power.Where the jury is still out in my mind, is his assertion that young teens (like 14 or 15) deserve special treatment because of their youth. I'm still not inclined to give special consideration to young offenders who kill. Period, end of story. For every youthful offender who claims an abusive or poverty-stricken childhood is responsible for his murderous behavior, there are countless people who lived through equally painful years and yet "somehow" managed to avoid killing innocent people. But for kids convicted of non-homicide crimes, life without the possibility of parole (essentially a sentence to die in prison, even if it takes 50 or 60 years) could be a little excessive. When a person is incarcerated as a child, and told that no matter how well he behaves, there is absolutely no possibility that it will improve his situation...well...it's probably unrealistic to expect a positive result.Kudos to Bryan Stevenson and his team for fighting on behalf of the innocent and destitute. They have undertaken a task that is rife with danger (aka: bomb threats, etc) and scant tangible reward. But the rewards received from the families, friends and acquaintances of his clients, as well as total strangers, although intangible, more than compensate for endless hours of work that are frequently rewarded only with deep disappointment. I would highly recommend this book, even though it is admittedly painful to come face-to-face with the naked corruption of our court system, and the utter powerlessness of the average joe to combat it. "Just Mercy" reads like a novel and never sinks into "legalese" or self-aggrandizement. Read it and find yourself simultaneously depressed and uplifted...what more can you ask?
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I learned about the Equal Justice Initiative recently when they published a report about lynchings. I read this book to learn more about what EJI does. This book kept me turning pages late into the night. Stevenson does a great job of explaining complicated legal issues while staying focused on the human cost, to defendants and to communities, of some current practices. I was shocked to learn about the blatant injustice that is being perpetrated right now--not 50 or 60 years ago. America needs to do better. I will definitely remember these stories the next time I am called to serve on a jury. People who like this book would probably also like Jill Leovy's _Ghettoside._
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This is my second read of this book, and it doesn't get easier to digest or less horrifying to contemplate. If you don't believe there are problems with the criminal justice system in America, you need to read this book. If you don't understand how or why people are treated unfairly, you need to read this book.Basically, you just need to read this book.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    A very engaging, "eye-opening" book. Changed my mind, or maybe more so...it opened my mind and has caused me to question not only our justice system but how we treat each other. I no longer believe that the death penalty is just.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Read with Kevin as part of his AP class this year. Brutal accounting of the accumulated injustices in our country. I was horrified to read Baldwin Co, Alabama's part in this mess.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    "We're supposed to sentence people fairly after fully considering their life circumstances, but instead we exploit the inability of the poor to get the legal assistance they need - all so we can kill them with less resistance." - Bryan StevensonThis work of non fiction deserves to be exalted and shelved in the Pantheon of Honor alongside "The New Jim Crow" and "The Warmth of Other Suns". Bryan Stevenson founded the Equal Justice Institute (EJI) in Alabama, to change the lives of death row inmates and then to go all the way to the Supreme Court to eliminate life sentences for juveniles. He tells shattering stories of Southern black men and boys, women and girls, who were railroaded into prison with no hope of freedom, until Stevenson and his colleagues at EJI took on their cases. Most prominent and painful is the saga of Walter McMillan, accused of murdering a white woman while he was surrounded by friends and family, whose testimony was ignored as white sheriffs, prosecutors, and juries lied to get the conviction they sought.The book is not only full of painful stories of injustice, but Stevenson shares his sorrow and rage as he keeps pushing against the uncaring racist tide. He is a true hero, not only for starting this critical work, but for growing it and for refusing to quit.A must read, even though it might keep you up at night. Also a remedy for those people who love to tell you "My parents didn't own slaves, so why should I feel guilty? Why don't black people just get over it?" Tell them to read the brief chapter about an Alabama man charged with murder who was examined by a Dr. Ed Seger, who denied that the man was mentally ill, resulting in him receiving a life sentence. Dr Ed Seger was later revealed to be a fraud with no medical training who had performed "competency evaluations" for 8 years before he was finally caught. The black man with the life sentence was denied a new trial. And this is the tip of the iceberg in the South.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This was a fascinating, jaw dropping book. My husband and I both read it and have passed it along to friends. Stevenson shares his expertise and shows a pattern of "justice" in America that really needs to be addressed.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Almost like every other reviewer before me, I couldn't put this book done. I found Stevenson's stories compelling and his passion inspiring. I particularly appreciated how he wove his stories together to help demonstrate his view point and to persuade his audience to see the atrocities for what they are. I found the book to be educational -- especially because I have a limited knowledge of the justice system and how it works-- which I didn't even realize until I read this book. This book is a great vehicle for Stevenson to educate the general public on the unfairness of the system and the double standard it embraces. Absolutely a must read.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I received this book as a part of the Early Reviewers program almost a year ago and misplaced it shortly afterward. I was reminded to hunt it down when I learned that my College would be reading this book as their Freshman summer reading program.I majored in Criminal Justice in college, and coming from a state that practices the death penalty, I thought that I knew what I was getting in to when I started this book. We would hold debates about the system and discuss the best ways to change it.Nothing I've read, for school or otherwise, carries the same tragic power at Bryan Stevenson's "Just Mercy". This book is educational, sure, but more than that, it is a call for reform and understanding from one deeply embroiled in the system. Bryan Stevenson's own transformation from naive young lawyer to embattled veteran of the system brings the lesson crashing down on the reader. I had a hard time finishing this one without crying, but it was definitely worth it! If you are curious, even a little, about the state of our Justice system and the trials and tribulations of those trying to navigate it, then this book is for you!
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    It would be difficult for me to evaluate the impact of this book on those who had already read a great deal about the struggle of minorities and the poor in the legal systems of America. If this is a person's first introduction to the topic, it is an excellent one. Written as a memoir by an attorney dealing with a whole laundry list of inadequacies of justice, especially those wrongly accused and sentenced to death, it is often extremely powerful in its very personal style and presentation. On a number of occasions, I had tears in my eyes. Sometimes tears of sadness; sometimes tears of joy and relief; but nearly always manifestations of a reaction to humanity at its most personal and vulnerable but painfully hard fought in doing what must be done to remain fully human. Early in reading this book, I found it easy to relate to the reporting done about Thurgood Marshall in Gilbert King's, Devil in the Grove. In many ways, this was like what would have been Marshall's memoir, only decades later. In that respect, it also unfortunately demonstrated the small degree to which justice has improved for minorities in the Deep South. While certain readers will have varying degrees of new insight about American justice from reading this book, all readers will find a compelling person at the heart of this narrative. In an extraordinary humble manner, the author unwittingly presents himself to us as an intelligent, compassionate, persistent, and personable individual. We can only hope to have real friends so willing to extend their best for us.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Bryan Stevenson has spent his entire life as a lawyer working for the unjustly imprisoned, particularly those sentenced to death. He tells the powerful story of one particular prisoner, Walter McMIllian, whom he encountered early in his career, on death row for a murder he did not commit. In between chapters about McMillian, he intersperses horrifying stories of children sentenced to die in prison for crimes that happened when they were 13 or 14, and mentally ill or disabled people, all of whom suffer from a lack of competent counsel, because of their poverty. Eye opening and powerful.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This is a book that I couldn't put down. Stevenson tells the story Walter McMillan who is imprisoned and given the death sentence for a murder he didn't commit. Even in the face of overwhelming evidence that he couldn't have been the murderer, he still spent years on death row in Alabama waiting for the truth to come to light. Through the lens of this single case, Stevenson illustrates the many problems inherent with our criminal justice system and its emphasis on "justice" rather than rehabilitation for criminal offenders. Fascinating book written in an easy-to-understand way for those of us without law degrees.