novelesque_life's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 STARS
"From the author of the national bestseller Dead Man Walking comes a brave and fiercely argued new book that tests the moral edge of the debate on capital punishment: What if we’re executing innocent men? Two cases in point are Dobie Gillis Williams, an indigent black man with an IQ of 65, and Joseph Roger O’Dell. Both were convicted of murder on flimsy evidence (O’Dell’s principal accuser was a jailhouse informant who later recanted his testimony). Both were executed in spite of numerous appeals. Sister Helen Prejean watched both of them die.As she recounts these men’s cases and takes us through their terrible last moments, Prejean brilliantly dismantles the legal and religious arguments that have been used to justify the death penalty. Riveting, moving, and ultimately damning, The Death of Innocents is a book we dare not ignore." (From Amazon)
This is a great read for everyone whether you believe in the death penalty or not. Prejean is able to write with compassion
"From the author of the national bestseller Dead Man Walking comes a brave and fiercely argued new book that tests the moral edge of the debate on capital punishment: What if we’re executing innocent men? Two cases in point are Dobie Gillis Williams, an indigent black man with an IQ of 65, and Joseph Roger O’Dell. Both were convicted of murder on flimsy evidence (O’Dell’s principal accuser was a jailhouse informant who later recanted his testimony). Both were executed in spite of numerous appeals. Sister Helen Prejean watched both of them die.As she recounts these men’s cases and takes us through their terrible last moments, Prejean brilliantly dismantles the legal and religious arguments that have been used to justify the death penalty. Riveting, moving, and ultimately damning, The Death of Innocents is a book we dare not ignore." (From Amazon)
This is a great read for everyone whether you believe in the death penalty or not. Prejean is able to write with compassion
sfletcher26's review against another edition
3.0
Sister Helen Prejean's continuing journey through the death houses of the United States. If you've read Dead Man Walking then you will find some of this a bit of a repeat though there is enough fresh material to make it a worthwhile read. That said it lacks the vibrancy and impact of Dead Man Walking.
kaitlyn4170's review against another edition
5.0
First, I'm tickled that this Catholic nun received the Hitchens award for her book. This woman tells the story of two wrongfully convicted men who were put to death before ever getting an opportunity to even test the evidence available to them. The coldness and callousness of the court system is something everyone needs to read about because it's something so few people would ever imagine. The "machinery of death" is shown for the excruciatingly flawed and barbaric system that it is. I come out with no doubt that the death penalty must be abolished in its entirety, if for no other reason than the FACT of so many wrongful convictions, grossly unfair trials, and vastly unequal protection under the law. Also, wtf is wrong with you, Texas.
melaniemia's review against another edition
4.0
Insightful! Great book about a 2 cases where innocent men have been put to death. I don't even believe in the death penalty anymore. Heart-breaking and fascinating.
brandinh's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
Heartbreaking and important. I found myself crying in the middle of the night reading her account of Joseph O’Dell’s execution. Rated at four stars only because the writing is slightly repetitive, although I get that she is working hard to make a point.
Heartbreaking and important. I found myself crying in the middle of the night reading her account of Joseph O’Dell’s execution. Rated at four stars only because the writing is slightly repetitive, although I get that she is working hard to make a point.
whewtaewoon's review against another edition
4.75
The Death of Innocents is the eyewitness account from Helen Prejean of being the spiritual advisor to three men on death row and witnessing their executions. Prejean recounts these events as well as expounding on why she believes them to be innocent detailing the failings in our justice system which led to their, and other innocent mens, deaths. This book is frankly one of the most heartbreaking books I have ever read, and also one of the most eye opening.
As important as I believe this book to be, I will say there is use of language which I feel could have been avoided in favor of less harmful language but I do understand that Prejean grew up in a far different time as I did and that this book is also some years old. I hope in future books Prejean's language will evolve past using words harmful to the very people she wants to help.
As important as I believe this book to be, I will say there is use of language which I feel could have been avoided in favor of less harmful language but I do understand that Prejean grew up in a far different time as I did and that this book is also some years old. I hope in future books Prejean's language will evolve past using words harmful to the very people she wants to help.
carrollm88's review against another edition
3.0
Very interesting that the book discusses the systemic racism in the justice system (which I agree with), and then goes on to write two case studies: the story of the innocent African American: 51 pages. The story of the innocent white: 113 pages...
ktrunmarathons's review against another edition
challenging
informative
slow-paced
3.0
I only give this a three because the whole second half of the book is Sister Prejean absolutely roasting some pretty prominent figures. The book is unfortunately very dry and put me to sleep numerous times throughout reading it. I’ve read other books on the same topic that didn’t put me to sleep, so I think I just didn’t agree with her way of writing.
samanthapearl's review against another edition
4.0
Really gets you thinking and opens a lot of questions
mponschke's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. This one hit close to home for me as both a Catholic and as a forensic science student. Sister Helen Prejean recounts to stories of two men on death row - men that she believes to be innocent. She takes the moral issues behind the death penalty to a new level, dissecting both cases and uncovering all of the injustices both men had to endure. She takes apart religious arguments that "favor" the death penalty, providing her own religious arguments against the death penalty. This a powerful, brave, informative, well-researched book that takes on the ultimate moral issue that our government deals with daily: is the death penalty constitutional? It's by no means an easy read... but it's well worth your time.