Meals to Die for [Paperback]

Brian D. Price (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2004

A timely and urgent look at the hidden details of capital punishment. Brian D. Price, a former inmate assigned to the infamous Walls Unit in Huntsville, Texas, prepared almost 200 last meals for the condemned. During his 10-year tenure as death row chef, Brian saw and heard what only a person in his position could be privy to. Now, he sheds light on the shadowy details of these dramatically-structured events, as well as the crimes that set these executions in motion--including the most infamous case of Karla Faye Tucker, denied stay by then Governor George W. Bush. Includes: * over 40 recipes * 200 mugshots, bios and crime accounts * hand-written last meal requests * a detailed look at 1997, the record-breaking year for executions in the state of Texas

Product Details

• Paperback: 504 pages
• Publisher: Dyna-Paige Corporation (April 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0974916579
• ISBN-13: 978-0974916576
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,724,986 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Something to think about, January 6, 2005

By 

Perry M. Koussiafes - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Meals to Die for (Paperback)

The basic format is to list what the person was convicted of, the last meal request, what was actually served (not always the same thing), and finally the inmate's last words.

The first part of this book contains some commentary by the author on the more interesting or at least higher profile cases. He then sticks to the basic format, although that by itself it is very interesting.

I did not see this book as exploitive or demeaning to victims in any way. It is written from the perspective of someone who has the unique first-hand experience. The author didn't just research this book, he lived it.

22 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Last Meals...sad and sordid, January 3, 2007

By 

NyiNya "NyiNya" (It was broken when I got here...) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Meals to Die for (Paperback)

I belong to a group that buys requested books for people serving in the military. The requests are a mixed bag, lots of Clive Cussler, James Patterson and so on. But sometimes you get something completely off the wall. Last meals of the condemned? Who knew we were keeping track? I had to crack the cover and take a look. It's about what you'd expect. We get brief bios of the prisoners, their crimes, and their requested menus.The book concludes with a few silly "jailhouse" recipes, mostly entitled "Old Sparky's Chili" or "Old Sparky's Spaghetti." Yech. But the book sucker punched me in a way I would never have imagined. These men (and one woman) commited heinous acts; cruel, violent and wanton. Their actions left a wake of broken families, broken lives. There is no bunch of people easier to hate...but when you read about the last thing on earth these wretches wanted, it can make you cry. A Hamburger All The Way is the extent of the dream. That's the most frequently requested dish. Some want a steak (which they won't get...prison kitchens substitute hamburger). A few ask for the food they may remember from childhood...corn bread and greens, but otherwise, it's fried eggs, tacos, burgers and fries. Chocolate milk and pie. The naivete of their requests, the limit of their imaginations and expectations, just made me feel unbelievably sad. Did they deserve to die? Who knows. This isn't the venue for that discussion. But their pathetic humanity is exposed in a most surprising way. "Meals to Die For" is not a book I recommend. While there is a certain ghoulish fascination in the subject matter, the book is repetitive and sordid after the first few pages...but it may make you view death row inmates with a surprising (albeit fleeting) sympathy...or empathy for their humanity.

7 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A very intersting read, July 25, 2010

By 

Kyra Laird - See all my reviews

This review is from: Meals to Die for (Paperback)

I actually bought this book at the Texas Huntsville Prison Museum. Very intesting read. The author does give his polictical view in the beginning of the book (which being from Texas I did not agree with) but all in all the book is a very intersting read. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the justice system and the life inmates face in prison. The last words of the prisoners make for a heart wrenching read, especially after visting the prison and the museum.