Customer Reviews

Last Words of the Executed

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My favorite part of this book was the stories/backgrounds that accompanied each set of last words. Some of the executions were botched, and those stories are included here. This book was a nice surprise of the "okay, just one more," can't-put-it-down variety.

Last Words are fascinating and Last Words of those about to executed are often the most fascinating. Elder has compiled what is the best compilation and portrait of Last Words of executed persons published to date. It is not only of excellent historic and cultural value -- it is a very interesting read. Last Words fascinate many people. When you add to the mix that these are the Last Words of a dark corner of society -- typically murderers or other horrific crimes (society's most repugnant offenses)-- not to mention that added wrinkle that some may be innocent -- it illustrates why their Last Words stand apart. As a student of Last Words, I have studied the topic for years. But Elder's subjects almost always have something that most of the people I write about do not have -- advanced knowledge of the time of their own death and method as well as the mental weight (acknowledged or not of what brought them to that point). They can prepare their Last Words and decide how to use them or not use them. As far as a work of research this book is excellent and extensive. Veracity of Last Words is a natural pitfall in the general subject of recording or reporting Last Words. But not so much with this book, by the nature of the chosen subjects. Last Words of the Executed is not a heavy-handed political book on the death penalty. Rather, Elder simply asks readers to listen closely to what they condemned have to say. -- William B. Brahms, author, Last Words of Notable People: Final Words of More Than 3500 Noteworthy People Throughout History

I'm not exactly sure what I was expecting with this book, but I suppose I hoped for more insightful last words. This isn't the author's fault, Elder does a fine job compiling the last words and describing the crime of each person. He also provides a very brief background of each major method of execution.

While it is interesting to see the effect that incarceration and impending execution have had on their psyche, the Last Words themselves are often void of any impact. Some of the convicted use their last opportunity to speak against the death penalty but most simply apologize. Within this collection I would say there about 10 - 15 worthwhile entries.