Naomi D. (nomer15) -
Helpful Score: 2
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.
R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption on + 1450 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Incredible! This is a stirring read by a man dedicated to change. Head of EJI, Equal Justice Initiative, he is a champion for the poor, children, and all who are treated without the care that every human should receive from the disabled to the illiterate to people of color. He and his collection of like minded supporters, lawyers and assistants work incredibly hard to free those imprisoned for crimes they didn't commit, represented by ncompetent lawyers, or framed by law enforcement officials who just want to solve a case quickly.
Mesmerizing! This book kept me glued to the pages until I finished. Would that every person cared as much about others as this unusual man. He has argued cases before the Supreme Court several times and achieved justice for the very young who have found themselves imprisoned for life for minor crimes, too young and inexperienced to make the judgments they need in times of peril. Why, he kept asking, are children treated like adults by prosecutors, courts and the public? His voice has begun to be heard by many and he has received many awards. They mean little to him beside the achievement of freeing someone who needs to be released from incarciation.
Stevenson became friends with one of the men he was able to get the courts to release from death row where he was sentenced by a judge who overruled the jury's decision to die for a crime he didn't commit. Yes, he worked with many on death row, hoping to get justice. Walter McMillan was a black man accused of murdering a white woman. He was no where near the site of her murder. In fact, he was at a barbecue with dozens of family and friends yet the sheriff bribed people to say he was there. He was convicted by an all white jury. It took years to get him released. He returned to a life without his business, his wife, and his reputation. There were those in who believed that someone who has been imprisoned is guilty. Nevertheless, Walter was a kind, forgiving and gently soul. He forgave thos who arrested him, accused him and prosecuted him. His story is told between stories about many others the author worked with during the years. This outstanding read should be on the list of every individual who hopes to make a difference in the lives of others.
Mesmerizing! This book kept me glued to the pages until I finished. Would that every person cared as much about others as this unusual man. He has argued cases before the Supreme Court several times and achieved justice for the very young who have found themselves imprisoned for life for minor crimes, too young and inexperienced to make the judgments they need in times of peril. Why, he kept asking, are children treated like adults by prosecutors, courts and the public? His voice has begun to be heard by many and he has received many awards. They mean little to him beside the achievement of freeing someone who needs to be released from incarciation.
Stevenson became friends with one of the men he was able to get the courts to release from death row where he was sentenced by a judge who overruled the jury's decision to die for a crime he didn't commit. Yes, he worked with many on death row, hoping to get justice. Walter McMillan was a black man accused of murdering a white woman. He was no where near the site of her murder. In fact, he was at a barbecue with dozens of family and friends yet the sheriff bribed people to say he was there. He was convicted by an all white jury. It took years to get him released. He returned to a life without his business, his wife, and his reputation. There were those in who believed that someone who has been imprisoned is guilty. Nevertheless, Walter was a kind, forgiving and gently soul. He forgave thos who arrested him, accused him and prosecuted him. His story is told between stories about many others the author worked with during the years. This outstanding read should be on the list of every individual who hopes to make a difference in the lives of others.
Rachel G. (roach808) -
Helpful Score: 1
Thoroughly engaging, both sad and very happy, you learn a lot about Bryan's life's work and a lot about a few of the cases he talks about in the book. While you do get a little bit about Bryan himself, he tempers it so that the book isn't about him -- it's about the work he does and the people he serves. I think this is important because too often books like this you hear about the author's history as much - or more than - you hear about the topic of the book.
My hat is off to EJI and the work they do.
My hat is off to EJI and the work they do.
Eadie B. (eadieburke) -
Helpful Score: 1
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.
