The Autobiography of an Execution (Hardcover)

from tangledthread

I learned of this book when David Dow was interviewed on an NPR program. As mentioned in other reviews, this is a work of creative nonfiction (memoir) in order to be within the constraints of confidentiality placed upon a legal practitioner. The author is a law professor and the litigation direct...

from preetalina

This book is really relevant right now, especially with these recent high-profile executions in Texas of people who might have been (or might be) innocent. Or at least not guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. In theory, there is a presumption of innocence in the American legal system, innocent until...

from alb2219

David Dow is simply amazing at conveying the heartbreak that is the US criminal justice system. This story is compelling, making it hard to put down. The thing I like the most is that he is not preachy - he does not often get down on anyone in particular in the justice system and I don't feel lik...

from gayla.bassham

Best book I've read so far this year. Granted, it's only February, but still. It is a memoir written by a lawyer who defends death penalty cases in Texas. I can't imagine a more frustrating job. He must feel like Sisyphus.I'm opposed to the death penalty and fascinated by death penalty law, so th...

from crazybatcow

What a difficult subject. It seems like Dow isn't anti-death penalty as much as he is anti-unfairness in death penalty sentencing. He argues that poor and mentally challenged people are dis-proportionately sentenced to death and that whether or not someone is actually executed has more to do with...