Customer Reviews

The Death Penalty in America: Current Controversies (Oxford Paperbacks)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

It is true that overall Bedau presents an argument in opposition to capital punishment. However, this argument is very well researched and documented. One may disagree with the conclusion, but it would be difficult to refute the evidence presented in the book. Furthermore, the very fact that the book is a collection of research may be the reason it appears one-sided. Having attempted objective research on the issue of capital punishment myself, it is often difficult to find solid research in support of capital punishment. More often support comes in the form of statements of belief or opinion. If you are looking for an equal collection of arguments for and against the death penalty in America, then this book is not for you. However, if you are looking for very solid research on the topic, presented in a logical, easy to understand format, then this is an excellent resource.

If you want an indepth analysis of the death penalty, this is the book for you! Jam-packed with history, statistics, trends, and lots of vital information, this book is a must-have for any serious anti-death penalty activist.

Having read numerous books on the subject, I found this to be an excellent collection of studies and essays. It covers many of the key issues surrounding the death penalty and is a very readable and scholarly work. Bedau has done a fabulous job with this third issue.

Many years ago I was assigned this book to read in college. The first part was dry (had a lot of statistical analysis). After I waded through that section though, I couldn't put it down. I probably finished it in less than three days. This book caused me to change my opinions on the death penalty completely. It is very balanced and fair. What Bedau did was ask the death penalty experts on both sides of the argument to write articles and he put their writings in his book. The results are amazing!

Don't listen to the two crackpots that gave this book 1 star. I don't think they have read this book or they would have written the things they did. This book is really about learning all of the points of view on the death penalty. Why would anyone oppose becoming informed?

It profoundly changed my life. How many books can you say this about? Read it and see for yourself! Thank you Hugo Adam Bedau!

I think that this book is a very good resource on the topic. I remain a death penalty proponent, however I appreciate many of the ideas put forward. If you are a death penalty proponent and willing to read books on the topic, this would be a good book. I need to reread the last chapter because I am disappointed in Bedau's response to van der Haag. I just finished the book and was left thinking that this chapter has more emotion in the argument than he has in other chapters. Bedau just appears upset with van der Haag. Probably isn't, but I was just left with that feeling.

I was a public defender who was almost appointed to defend a client in a murder case-and thankfully my boss interceded (he had a conflict) and another attorney was appointed. Though I would like to represent a client charged with murder, I wasn't ready to represent a murder charge for my third case. As conscientious as I would have been, I was not qualified at that time.(I do not see it as being a conflict that I am a death penalty proponent and wanting to represent a client charged with murder. I am there to represent my client's interests as well as to make sure that the State is doing its job.) And in this case the defendant was afforded better counsel that I could provide, but we don't take the justice system seriously. I'm curious to know if we understand the concept of justice.

i won't say more... It s probably the best book written on the subject !
An excellent reference !

Yes, The is my first order to Amazon.com. I would recommend anyone to do their book ordering here. It was very easy and mailing only took about two days. This book THE DEATH PENALTY IN AMERICA was a used copy that looked very new. I ordered the book for a school project for my son.
So thank you very much Amazon for getting it here in a timly matter..
E.Ikeji

I read this book just after finishing "May God Have Mercy", which deals with the execution of Roger Keith Coleman for a crime he very likely did not commit. I wanted to read more about the death penelty, and I found this to be a compelling, informative book. I could not, however, read it cover to cover. I found myself selecting specific chapters or using the very helpful index to look up topics of particular interest. The book suggests some disturbing comclusions. I was already against the death penelty, but this book further cemented my views. It seems impossible to avoid the conclusion that a person's race and poverty level directly influence the chance that he or she will be sentenced to death. I came away from this book feeling very sober about our justice system.

Excellent read. Obviously, the main thing that death penalty abolitionists must do, is attempt to feel the devastation and feelings of revenge of victims' friends and family. In the end, I always get back to the same point - mercy is grace. Why to we kill people who kill people to show people that killing people is wrong? The death penalty in the US is racially biased. It costs more to kill a prisoner than to keep him alive. Practical or philosphical reasons to be against the death penalty are plentiful. Take your pick. Choose mercy.

Those three words, "Compassion", "Love", and "Mercy", need to be practiced more often in our country of America. The author of this book, who I have had the honor of meeting and have also heard him speak, has compassion, love, and mercy. His courage to fight against the death penalty, an unpopular stand in our country, shows him to be a wonderful human being. He is not only a wonderful author, he also gets personally involved with ordinary citizens to help those who are trying to rid our country of an unfair and different kind of homicide called execution. This book is a great book to read, and as one other person who reviewed this book mentioned, probably only death penalty opponents will read it. I challenge those who believe in killing those who kill and sometimes killing those who are innocent of the crime of which they have been convicted, read this book even if, or especially if, you are afraid you might be converted to knowing the death penalty is wrong. If you do not have that fear, you won't have a problem reading this book. Please do! Everyone who reads this book will learn something. I've not only have purchased this book for myself, I also buy it as a gift for others. Buy it, read it, and share it! jskaggs@flash.net