Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption (urspr publ 2014; utgåvan 2015)

Harper Lee, the author of To Kill a Mockingbird, outlines the racial injustice in Monroeville, Alabama. Bryan Stevenson hammers home that racial injustice in the legal arena in his novel, Just Mercy. So much inequality in the justice for African Americans, Hispanics, and the poor. I was dismayed to learn the plight of children sent to adult court for minor crimes and then forced into adult prisons for a life sentence and no chance of parole. Another area bothered me, the handling of girls and young women sent to prison for the death of a stillborn baby. These poor females could not afford healthcare and when the baby dies, they are saddled with the blame. The majority of the book focuses on Walter McMillian, an African American, arrested, charged, and sent to death row for the murder of a white woman. Walter was at home with friends and family when the murder took place, but the white police, lawyers, and judge convicted Walter, never really investigating the crime. After 6 years on death row, Walter was released due to the persistent work of Bryan Stevenson, his lawyer. Stevenson was also responsible for getting Anthony Ray Hinton released from death row after 30 years for a crime he did not commit. Again, Anthony was in a locked job site with other employees and could not have committed the murder. Unequal justice does not rest only in Alabama, but in the majority of Southern states and even in California. Many changes have been made in the judicial system, but still more legislation must be passed. ( )

Brian Stevenson is a hero for our time, and he can write, too. This is, as many other reviewers have said, a book that all Americans should read. It shows how racism works and the terrible evils that it still perpetuates. It also shows how some of those evils can be rectified, and how the system that produces them can be changed. ( )

A must read, especially if you live in the State of Alabama, in the South of the US or in the US. The book focuses on how the death penalty is the extension/continuation of the more visible racism of the 19th and 20th centuries in this country - and how, painstakingly, patiently, a small number of people battle this system and, amazingly, win individual cases to be retried, people released from prison and more sweeping reforms of applying the law more humanly. I am looking forward to hearing Stevenson speak at Auburn on August 30. ( )

What an amazing memoir. Bryan Stevenson gives a message of hope around some of the greatest injustices that exist within America today. His message is one that everyone should pay attention to. It's really a moving message, and an inspiration to take action to fight mass incarceration and other structural inequalities that can be found in our community and society today. ( )

Primarily, Just Mercy is an incisive critique on the penal justice system in America today. His argument is made by weaving the tragic story of Walter McMillon with shorter stories, equally heart-wrenching of those Stevenson represented in court. In short, it was one of the most compelling books I've ever read - its narrative was as captivating as the argument provocative and convincing.

Bryan Stevenson is one of those larger than life actual heroes of our day - no doubt a genius and yet seemingly personable and hard working. He writes humbly and genuinely, showing exceptional empathy for the those he represents along with others in the deep South he encounters.

My only wish was that he provided some practical "next steps" on what the rest of us can do.

Fantastic book. Highly recommended for seriously everyone! ( )