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Summary: Dead Man Walking Review
Review: A Catholic nun by the name of Prejean, a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Medaille, who is friends with two death-row inmates, coupled with a plea for the abolition of capital punishment. In 1982, Prejean agrees to correspond with convicted rapist and murderer Patrick Sonnier, awaiting execution in Louisiana's electric chair. Letters lead to visits, and Prejean becomes spiritual advisor to the condemned man. Her counsel takes over, and Sonnier dies. Both killers come off as repellently fascinating, but the real interest here is in Prejean. Even of those who have taken the lives of others. Her arguments against capital punishment are well known but preached with passion: The death penalty is racist, barbaric, and doesn't deter crime; innocent people get killed, etc. But her real brief lies in the grim details of execution, both in the degradation of the long weeks of waiting and in the torture of the execution itself. To Prejean, the whole story is a web of crimes, the original murder; the execution. The suffering inflicted upon the families of both killer and victim, to which the only moral response is love inspired by Christ, who "refused to meet hate with hate and violence with violence."
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Summary: A view from my small corner of the justice system
Review: A lot of reviewers have commented on the content of this book. I guess at this point I don't want to re-enter that debate, although I will tell all of you that I personally strongly oppose the death penalty.The thing that will stay with me about this book is the spare, unflinching, hypnotic tone of the writing. Helen Prejean has a writing style that will not let the reader look away. This is just as true when she is writing lists of facts as it is when she is recounting her personal oddyssey. No matter which side of this debate one personally comes down on, her strength as a person is impossible to negate. She is painfully honest, reavealing her own human fears and concerns, and recounting her growth as she acknowleges and faces them. This is a book that is hard to leave and will be difficult to forget.
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Summary: Excellent selected history of Louisianna Death Row
Review: As a former investigator on behalf of Florida death sentenced persons from 1986 - 1992, I can vouch for this book as an excellently written and informative book that is the result of the testing of wills and struggles with God. Definitely beyond any shadow of a doubt a five star book and film.
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Summary: Re: Florida cases: Roy Swafford and Peter Ventura:
Review: For those interested in reading the four to three vote Florida Supreme Court opinions regarding two more death sentenced persons whose innocence is an authentic issue, please go to www.flcourts.org, then go to "Opinions and Rules", then chose the correct year and scroll down to the following two cases:
Roy Swafford: April 18, 2002 Case No. 92.173 Peter Ventura: May 24, 2001 Case No. 93.839 These two cases are findable under "Court Orders: Case Disposition Orders" and "Briefs in Other Cases" sections of the "Press Page": Roy Swafford: March 26, 2004 Case Nos. 03.931 and 03.1153
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Summary: An eye opener!!
Review: If you are thinking of buying this book....go for it. You won't regret it. This book opened my eyes to a completly different side to capital punishement I was never aware of, however i was never for it anyway. Its full of facts and true stories, it's so beautifully written. Sister Prejean is truly an amazing and special women. If you've seen the movie, the book is concerning the two real men she was a spiritual adviser for, both men were I suppose combined to form Sean Penn's character in the Tim Robbin's film. Enjoy.
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Summary: Reflection worth reading
Review: Sister Helen Prejean's reflection on her involvement with the death penalty is a deep and provocative work that will fascinate and stimulate any person with an interest in morality, religion, ethics, public policy, or emotional growth. Whether you support or oppose the death penalty, there is plenty to find engaging in this book. Prejean writes beautifully and her reflections are full of imagery and detail. Tears come easily. Yet, if you are looking for a balanced, scholarly, or objective analysis of capital punishment, this is not the primary book to read. "Dead Man Walking" offers steadfast opposition to the death penalty in an emotional and true story.
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Summary: A movie which shows all views, not typical for Hollywood
Review: The movie tries to be neutral so that everyone is able to interpret it his/her own way. You can learn a lot while you see it cause no one can imagine all the (cruel) details of the execution process.
I liked the way the characters are presented, they are not
stereotype Hollywood figures but it seems like this movie really shows the true story of sister Helen and Matt without trying to make it nicer for the audience and without giving it a happy ending. Furthermore, the movie is really touching and I can't understand those people who watch it and still don't see that death penalty is no solution and does no good.
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Summary: Decide after you know the facts
Review: This book opened my eyes. I used to think it was acceptable for the government to kill Really Bad People, but now I understand the complications with our system and why it fails. Even if this book doesn't change your mind on this hot-button issue, it will explain how the system really works, and your opinion will be an informed one.
I've also heard Sister Helen speak in person -- she's amazing. If you ever hear that she's in the area, go listen to her! Who would guess that a nun would be so darn funny?
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Summary: Whats the Dignity in the Death Penalty?
Review: Today, I heard Sister Prejean speak about her book Dead Man Walking and about all of the experiances that shes been through concerning the death penalty. Nothing less than amazing. Dead Man Walking calls upon the unjustices in the death penalty but also on the actual death penalty victims. Many people think that death penalty victims are just plain bad people. Read this book. If you want to be challenged on your views, read this book. You can't be idle on the death penalty. Also, coming soon is the Death of Innocence. Sister Prejean spoke on the content of this book and the stories within it. Once again, nothing less than amazing. A story that is priceless to hear and will influence your life.
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Summary: Capital Punishment
Review: Up until recently, I had taken an indifferent view on capital punishment. I never believed the government should have the power to execute people when the government is far from perfect. Additionally, I never believed I should waste my time saving monsters from death when it is an unpopular view. As a result, I never held a strong opinion on the death penalty. Sister Helen Prejean is a Catholic nun. Stereotypically speaking, I assumed this book would be very one sided based on her religious association. I took an interest in the book only after I saw the movie. The movie combines the two executions discussed in the book into one death row inmate story. Despite the fact that the book can seem redundant at times, Sister Helen Prejean does an effective job of exploring the topic of capital punishment through the role of a spiritual advisor. The research that went into this book is startling. I was not expecting research on this level because the book was written by a nun. It may be hard to feel sympathy for the two death row inmates in the book. However, it is hard to ignore the inequalities in the capital punishment system. After reading the book, one comes to the conclusion that poor African-Americans in the "Death Belt" are most likely to be executed. Crimes against whites are far more likely to draw capital punishment as well. Defense for death row inmates is inadequate because of the socioeconomic status. These flaws are just the tip of the iceberg. When we consider the recent flaws found in capital punishment system, it is difficult to support it. For example, Illinois changed the sentences of all death row inmates upon realizing the flaws in the system. Our government is far from perfect. Based on the flaws and corruptions in the system, it is difficult to support a system in which the government orders a sanctioned killing of a human being. There is also another view that goes unnoticed. Often it is the executioners who are most traumatized by the execution, not the government. This book has changed my view on capital punishment. This change is not because I feel sympathy for murderers, but becuase the system is very flawed. Sister Helen Prejean makes this very obvious in her book.
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