- Paperback: 256 pages
- Publisher: Harper Perennial; Reprint edition (Dec 2002)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0060931035
- ISBN-13: 978-0060931032
- Product Dimensions: 20.3 x 13.5 x 1.5 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 697,819 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
25 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
My main reason for buying this book was that I have a have penpal who is on death row in the USA and have an interest in other people's viewpoints on the very controversial issue of the death penalty.
When buying the book I noticed that there were no other reviews for this book, which was quite unhelpful, but having read it I can kind of understand that it's not an easy book to write a review on.
As I said, I have a penpal who is on death row and I often find myself wondering what my reasons are for being against the death penalty and so when I saw this book I thought it would give me something more 'solid' to look at. The only description of the book is the cover 'the culture of death row', which could have meant anything.
Anyway, the book itself is mostly written about the executioners, those who actually 'pull the switch' etc. The author does not let his own personal viewpoint come through, he is simply writing about the 'culture of death row' and those who lives are affected by it.
There are many stories of the men who have been on 'the row' and details of their crimes and their last moments, the feelings and views of the team who are involved in the executions and the shocking reality of just what is involved in the process from start (sentencing) to finish (execution).
This is a well written book and though it's not been an easy read, it is insightful. My only criticism of the book is that sometimes the language is very complicated to understand, lots of difficult words used all in one sentence making it a little mind boggling and confusing at times. This isn't helped by the fact that most of us don't fully understand all the technical aspects of the process anyway. That being said, it is a very informative book that leaves opinion still down to the reader.
I can't say my view has changed about the death penalty, but I certainly feel like I have a clearer understanding of what happens.
This is not for the faint hearted as there are very graphic descriptions of the executions as they are taking place; pretty horrendous sometimes!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Quite an interesting read, especially to someone who is from
a country where capital punishment has been abolished for some years now. However, I still wonder exactly why they do this
kind of job - what satisfaction do they get out of it?
a country where capital punishment has been abolished for some years now. However, I still wonder exactly why they do this
kind of job - what satisfaction do they get out of it?
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
If I was to judge this account on the first 1/3 of the book, I'd have to say it would barely make 3 stars.
Now I've completed it, which I have to admit to achieving over a full week due to work pressures, it is truly a fascinating view of the existence of corporal punishment in the United States. It's very well researched and, although there is quite a haphazard approach to the chapter layout, it does expose a high degree of what really drives those that manage and maintain the justice machine in America. There are some overly-political overtones at times, but the pace of the book and the way it takes you (on a winding journey) through the lives of jailors that have volunteered for the secret position of executioner over the past 60 years, is interesting and disturbingly more-ish.
As the preamble promises, the long-running argument of the morality of execution do not cloud this book. It is also true to say that it is unlikely to sway opinions either way. In the end it turns out to be an enlightening of the thoughts and feelings of those who have tasked themselves (and in many cases, aspired to undertake) the process of death-giving in the penal system.
It hasn't changed my life nor changed my views, but it has provided valuable insight.
Now I've completed it, which I have to admit to achieving over a full week due to work pressures, it is truly a fascinating view of the existence of corporal punishment in the United States. It's very well researched and, although there is quite a haphazard approach to the chapter layout, it does expose a high degree of what really drives those that manage and maintain the justice machine in America. There are some overly-political overtones at times, but the pace of the book and the way it takes you (on a winding journey) through the lives of jailors that have volunteered for the secret position of executioner over the past 60 years, is interesting and disturbingly more-ish.
As the preamble promises, the long-running argument of the morality of execution do not cloud this book. It is also true to say that it is unlikely to sway opinions either way. In the end it turns out to be an enlightening of the thoughts and feelings of those who have tasked themselves (and in many cases, aspired to undertake) the process of death-giving in the penal system.
It hasn't changed my life nor changed my views, but it has provided valuable insight.
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