From School Library Journal
Gr 7-9-A competent overview of the facts surrounding this highly charged and often-debated topic that addresses the statistics, the laws, and the shifts in public opinion. Gottfried looks at the moral and religious beliefs that call the practice into question and examines the public perception of violence; the risk of executing innocent people; the physical and mental agony of the condemned; the societal benefits of rehabilitation; and the inconsistent treatments of different ethnic, age, gender, and cultural groups. The writing is clear, if a bit dry. The information is easy to understand, even for those with only basic knowledge of the subject. Although the presentation is well organized, it is not as compelling or as readable as Mary E. Williams's The Death Penalty: Opposing Viewpoints (Greenhaven, 2001).
Kim Harris, Newman Riga Library, Churchville, NY
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
Kim Harris, Newman Riga Library, Churchville, NY
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Gr. 7-12. With fairness to all sides, Gottfried draws on landmark court cases to open the issue of capital punishment. He looks at what's happening in the U.S. now and relates it to the history of the death penalty here and across the world. Murder is gruesome, and the brutal details of the crimes--and the executions--make for disturbing reading. But Gottfried uses particular cases and trial proceedings to raise the big questions about guilt, innocence, and the effectiveness of the justice system. Is capital punishment a deterrent? Are innocent people executed? Is there racial bias? Should children be charged with murder? The book design is spacious and accessible, with frequent subheads, occasional photos, and excellent chapter notes at the back for students wanting to know more for research and discussion. There's also a glossary, a chronology, and a bibliography of books, films, and Internet sites. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
