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Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption Paperback – August 18, 2015

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#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE STARRING MICHAEL B. JORDAN AND JAMIE FOXX • A powerful true story about the potential for mercy to redeem us, and a clarion call to fix our broken system of justice—from one of the most brilliant and influential lawyers of our time.

“[Bryan Stevenson’s] dedication to fighting for justice and equality has inspired me and many others and made a lasting impact on our country.”
—John Legend

NAMED ONE OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL BOOKS OF THE DECADE BY CNN • Named One of the Best Books of the Year by The New York Times • The Washington Post • The Boston Globe • The Seattle Times • Esquire • Time

Bryan Stevenson was a young lawyer when he founded the Equal Justice Initiative, a legal practice dedicated to defending those most desperate and in need: the poor, the wrongly condemned, and women and children trapped in the farthest reaches of our criminal justice system. One of his first cases was that of Walter McMillian, a young man who was sentenced to die for a notorious murder he insisted he didn’t commit. The case drew Bryan into a tangle of conspiracy, political machination, and legal brinksmanship—and transformed his understanding of mercy and justice forever.

Just Mercy is at once an unforgettable account of an idealistic, gifted young lawyer’s coming of age, a moving window into the lives of those he has defended, and an inspiring argument for compassion in the pursuit of true justice.

Winner of the Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction • Winner of the NAACP Image Award for Nonfiction • Winner of a Books for a Better Life Award • Finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize • Finalist for the Kirkus Reviews Prize • An American Library Association Notable Book

“Every bit as moving as
To Kill a Mockingbird, and in some ways more so . . . a searing indictment of American criminal justice and a stirring testament to the salvation that fighting for the vulnerable sometimes yields.”—David Cole, The New York Review of Books

“Searing, moving . . . Bryan Stevenson may, indeed, be America’s Mandela.”
—Nicholas Kristof, The New York Times

“You don’t have to read too long to start cheering for this man. . . . The message of this book . . . is that evil can be overcome, a difference can be made.
Just Mercy will make you upset and it will make you hopeful.”—Ted Conover, The New York Times Book Review

“Inspiring . . . a work of style, substance and clarity . . . Stevenson is not only a great lawyer, he’s also a gifted writer and storyteller.”
The Washington Post

“As deeply moving, poignant and powerful a book as has been, and maybe ever can be, written about the death penalty.”
—The Financial Times

“Brilliant.”
—The Philadelphia Inquirer
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Isabel Wilkerson says, “A book of great power and courage…”;just mercy;bryan stevenson;criminal law

Editorial Reviews

Review

Just Mercy is every bit as moving as To Kill a Mockingbird, and in some ways more so. . . . [It] demonstrates, as powerfully as any book on criminal justice that I’ve ever read, the extent to which brutality, unfairness, and racial bias continue to infect criminal law in the United States. But at the same time that [Bryan] Stevenson tells an utterly damning story of deep-seated and widespread injustice, he also recounts instances of human compassion, understanding, mercy, and justice that offer hope. . . . Just Mercy is a remarkable amalgam, at once a searing indictment of American criminal justice and a stirring testament to the salvation that fighting for the vulnerable sometimes yields.”—David Cole, The New York Review of Books

“A searing, moving and infuriating memoir . . . Bryan Stevenson may, indeed, be America’s Mandela. For decades he has fought judges, prosecutors and police on behalf of those who are impoverished, black or both. . . . Injustice is easy not to notice when it affects people different from ourselves; that helps explain the obliviousness of our own generation to inequity today. We need to wake up. And that is why we need a Mandela in this country.”
—Nicholas Kristof, The New York Times

“Unfairness in the justice system is a major theme of our age. . . . This book brings new life to the story by placing it in two affecting contexts: [Bryan] Stevenson’s life work and the deep strain of racial injustice in American life. . . . You don’t have to read too long to start cheering for this man. Against tremendous odds, Stevenson has worked to free scores of people from wrongful or excessive punishment, arguing five times before the Supreme Court. . . . The book extols not his nobility but that of the cause, and reads like a call to action for all that remains to be done. . . . The message of the book, hammered home by dramatic examples of one man’s refusal to sit quietly and countenance horror, is that evil can be overcome, a difference can be made. 
Just Mercy will make you upset and it will make you hopeful. . . . Stevenson has been angry about [the criminal justice system] for years, and we are all the better for it.”—Ted Conover, The New York Times Book Review

“Not since Atticus Finch has a fearless and committed lawyer made such a difference in the American South. Though larger than life, Atticus exists only in fiction. Bryan Stevenson, however, is very much alive and doing God’s work fighting for the poor, the oppressed, the voiceless, the vulnerable, the outcast, and those with no hope. 
Just Mercy is his inspiring and powerful story.”—John Grisham

“Bryan Stevenson is one of my personal heroes, perhaps the most inspiring and influential crusader for justice alive today, and 
Just Mercy is extraordinary. The stories told within these pages hold the potential to transform what we think we mean when we talk about justice.”—Michelle Alexander, author of The New Jim Crow

“A distinguished NYU law professor and MacArthur grant recipient offers the compelling story of the legal practice he founded to protect the rights of people on the margins of American society. . . . Emotionally profound, necessary reading.”
Kirkus Reviews (starred review, KirkusPrize Finalist)

“A passionate account of the ways our nation thwarts justice and inhumanely punishes the poor and disadvantaged.”
Booklist (starred review)

“From the frontlines of social justice comes one of the most urgent voices of our era. Bryan Stevenson is a real-life, modern-day Atticus Finch who, through his work in redeeming innocent people condemned to death, has sought to redeem the country itself. This is a book of great power and courage. It is inspiring and suspenseful—a revelation.”
—Isabel Wilkerson, author of The Warmth of Other Suns

“Words such as
important and compelling may have lost their force through overuse, but reading this book will restore their meaning, along with one’s hopes for humanity.”—Tracy Kidder, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Mountains Beyond Mountains

“Bryan Stevenson is America’s young Nelson Mandela, a brilliant lawyer fighting with courage and conviction to guarantee justice for all.
Just Mercy should be read by people of conscience in every civilized country in the world to discover what happens when revenge and retribution replace justice and mercy. It is as gripping to read as any legal thriller, and what hangs in the balance is nothing less than the soul of a great nation.”—Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate

About the Author

Bryan Stevenson is the founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative, a human rights organization in Montgomery, Alabama. Under his leadership, EJI has won major legal challenges eliminating excessive and unfair sentencing, exonerating innocent death row prisoners, confronting abuse of the incarcerated and the mentally ill, and aiding children prosecuted as adults.
 
Mr. Stevenson has argued and won multiple cases at the United States Supreme Court, including a 2019 ruling protecting condemned prisoners who suffer from dementia and a landmark 2012 ruling that banned mandatory life-imprisonment-without-parole sentences for all children seventeen or younger. Mr. Stevenson and his staff have won reversals, relief, or release from prison for over 140 wrongly condemned prisoners on death row and won relief for hundreds of others wrongly convicted or unfairly sentenced.
 
Mr. Stevenson has initiated major new anti-poverty and anti-discrimination efforts that challenge inequality in America. He led the creation of EJI’s highly acclaimed Legacy Sites, including the Legacy Museum, the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, and Freedom Monument Sculpture Park. These new national landmark institutions chronicle the legacy of slavery, lynching, and racial segregation, and the connection to mass incarceration and contemporary issues of racial bias.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 081298496X
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ One World; Reprint edition (August 18, 2015)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 384 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780812984965
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0812984965
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 1130L
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.25 x 0.8 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 39,448 ratings

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Bryan Stevenson
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Bryan Stevenson is the executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative in Montgomery, Alabama, and a professor of law at New York University Law School. He has won relief for dozens of condemned prisoners, argued five times before the Supreme Court, and won national acclaim for his work challenging bias against the poor and people of color. He has received numerous awards, including the MacArthur Foundation “Genius” Grant.

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
39,448 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book an engaging read that opens their eyes to racial injustice and incarceration. They describe it as thought-provoking, heartbreaking, and touching. The writing quality is praiseworthy, with a skillful technique that draws readers into the story. Readers appreciate the author's commitment to justice and empathy for the characters. The book provides a timely reminder of racial inequities and injustices.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

2,468 customers mention "Readability"2,468 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and memorable. They describe it as an important and eye-opening read that sheds light on injustices in America. Readers appreciate the author's skill in weaving a story of redemption, hope, justice, and mercy through his writing. The book is accessible for the average layperson without legal experience.

"This is such a powerful book, one that is both heartbreaking and inspiring, one that makes you feel both hope and despair...." Read more

"...His thoughts are crisp and innovative, allowing our eyes to see the justice system in a new light, and in many instances through the shoes of the..." Read more

"Just Mercy is an absolutely incredible read...." Read more

"...There are some very uplifting and positive stories interspersed within the book around Walter's story...." Read more

1,434 customers mention "Thought provoking"1,388 positive46 negative

Customers find the book thought-provoking and engaging. It explores the context and changes their perspective on pivotal issues. The narratives engage the reader and are memorable. The message is transformative and we need to hear it.

"This is such a powerful book, one that is both heartbreaking and inspiring, one that makes you feel both hope and despair...." Read more

"...His thoughts are crisp and innovative, allowing our eyes to see the justice system in a new light, and in many instances through the shoes of the..." Read more

"...The book is both heart-wrenching and inspiring, as Stevenson shares his journey of fighting for people on death row, many of whom were wrongfully..." Read more

"...There are some very uplifting and positive stories interspersed within the book around Walter's story...." Read more

1,006 customers mention "Heartbreaking"808 positive198 negative

Customers find the book heart-wrenching and inspiring. They say it connects readers to the cases and experiences of defending prisoners on death row. The book is described as touching, compelling, and one of the best. It tackles some of the most challenging issues facing society.

"This is such a powerful book, one that is both heartbreaking and inspiring, one that makes you feel both hope and despair...." Read more

"...back and forth between a multi dimensional, emotionally impactful case of Walter McMillian, and supplementary cases, involving deeper issues that..." Read more

"...The book is both heart-wrenching and inspiring, as Stevenson shares his journey of fighting for people on death row, many of whom were wrongfully..." Read more

"...The first is Bryan. He is remarkable --- his energy, passion, selflessness and commitment to justice is inspiring --- and his ability to maintain..." Read more

950 customers mention "Writing quality"805 positive145 negative

Customers appreciate the book's writing quality. They find the writing engaging and it draws them into the story. The author is described as talented and presents compelling stories. Readers like the flow of the book and find the language excellent. The book provides detailed information about corruption cases in an accessible way. It helps readers understand the justice system through actual cases and outcomes.

"...This is such an incredible, well-written book. It is a difficult, heavy read, but an important one...." Read more

"...Stevenson is very declamatory with his writing style, with an idiomatic approach, which can appeal to all types of readers...." Read more

"...It is written in simple, accessible language and although it’s categorized as a memoir, Stevenson spends little time on the book talking about..." Read more

"The book is very well written and very informative! The way minorities and people of color are treated should be terrifying to everyone!!..." Read more

805 customers mention "Justice"690 positive115 negative

Customers find the book insightful and informative. It provides a different perspective on racial injustice and incarceration. The author's passion for justice is inspiring, and mercy is seen as the solution to diminish racism in the current law. The book expresses the truth and inside view on the justice system, with stories that are humanized.

"...picture of the injustices in our judicial system, putting human faces on the anecdotes, while also building suspense in the narrative about..." Read more

"...Stevenson’s compassion and relentless pursuit of justice are truly inspiring, and it challenges readers to reflect on the power of mercy and humanity..." Read more

"...It is a call for the abolishment of the Death Penalty, if not a major overhaul of the Death Penalty...." Read more

"...This book is recommended for anybody who is interested and cares about equality, reconciliation, racial and social justice in the United States." Read more

160 customers mention "Pacing"139 positive21 negative

Customers find the book's pacing engaging and moving. They say it's well-written, with a direct and honest story that is an eye-opening read.

"...Professor Bryan Stevenson has gifted us with a masterful and moving book, a clarion call to stop throwing stones and start catching them...." Read more

"...high-profile deaths of several unarmed black men, this is an incredibly timely read...." Read more

"A tremendously moving account of one innocent man's desperate fight to escape state-sanctioned execution for a crime he didn't commit, "Just Mercy:..." Read more

"...It is a timely book, given the concern that has been generated by recent cases involving police actions, and my hope is that it will contribute to..." Read more

90 customers mention "Truthfulness"65 positive25 negative

Customers appreciate the book's honesty and genuineness. They find it convincing, compelling, and factually based. The accounts are well-respected and determined. Overall, readers describe the book as an important historical work.

"...This book shocked me. Yet it is convincing. I believe it is as he says and is true on all three layers" Read more

"This is an incomparable and utterly important work...." Read more

"...found guilty, and sentenced to life imprisonment - or death - on spurious evidence, prosecutor misconduct, or political considerations such as re-..." Read more

"...his decades of expertise with the law to share powerful stories of fighting corruption and winning leniency for the wrongly convicted, from obscure..." Read more

72 customers mention "Ease of understanding"68 positive4 negative

Customers find the book easy to understand. They say it's well-written and not too technical. The author breaks down the complexities of the legal system into parts anyone can understand. The book makes it easy to follow multiple cases and how the justice system works. It's accessible and has opened their eyes to how easy it is to exploit the system.

"...This is such an incredible, well-written book. It is a difficult, heavy read, but an important one...." Read more

"...best thing about "Just Mercy" is that you end up learning a great deal effortlessly and without noticing it, because you are just following..." Read more

"...the legal history of many of his cases in terms easily understandable by non-lawyers...." Read more

"...He does a great job of breaking down the complexities of the legal system into parts anyone can understand...." Read more

A Systems View of Incarceration
5 out of 5 stars
A Systems View of Incarceration
Stevenson, B. (2014). Just mercy: A story of justice and redemption. Spiegel & Grau.Bryan Stevenson is a lawyer, social justice activist, law professor at New York University School of Law, and founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative.The book follows Stevenson’s thinking as a lawyer whose mission was to assist the incarcerated, particularly condemned people on death row in Alabama. According to Stevenson, "This book is about getting closer to mass incarceration and extreme punishment in America. It is about how easily we condemn people in this country and the injustice we create when we allow fear, anger, and distance to shape the way we treat the most vulnerable among us. " Themes include mass incarceration as a phenomenon including the shear #s of incarcerated, incarceration of Blacks, children, women, and mentally ill. He said, "The true measure of our character is how we treat the poor, the disfavored, the accused, the incarcerated, and the condemned. " He described four factors influencing our approach to race and justice: (a) Slavery including the reign of terror characterized by lynching and arrests following the collapse of Reconstruction; (b) Reenslavement through convict leasing introduced at the end of the 19th c. to criminalize former slaves and convict them so that they could "leased" to businesses and effectively forced back into slave labor. (c) Jim Crow laws introducing racial segregation and suppression of basic rights; and (d) Incarceration and creation of the prison industrial complex. Despite all that he'd witnessed, Stevenson asserted, "There is no wholeness outside of our reciprocal humanity. I am more than broken. In fact, there is strength, power even, in understanding brokenness, because embracing our brokenness creates need and desire for mercy, and perhaps a corresponding need to show mercy. . . . .You begin to recognize the humanity that resides in each of us. "It's difficult to see the judicial system as "just" with headlines describing police brutality, unlawful arrest, racial prejudice, etc. Reading Stevenson's book provides language for systemic issues related to policing and incarceration. Such a good read, this would be a super text for those interested in incarceration and systems thinking. He moves us beyond 2D thinking to seeing the complexity.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2021
    This is such a powerful book, one that is both heartbreaking and inspiring, one that makes you feel both hope and despair. I had an inkling that our justice system in the United States is broken and disproportionately punishes poor people and people of color, but reading this really opened my eyes. I truly had no idea just how broken it is.

    Bryan Stevenson is such an inspiring and altruistic human being. He is a lawyer who has dedicated his life to the fight for justice, serving as an advocate for those who have nobody to fight for them. The work that he has done and continues to do is nothing short of amazing. He and his non-profit organization, the Equal Justice Initiative, have helped so many people who found themselves, as a result of tragic circumstances, on death row or serving life sentences: people wrongly accused and convicted, people of color suffering racial injustices at every turn of the judicial process, poor people, people who had to stand trial although they were too mentally impaired to do so, and people who were children at the time of their conviction and incarceration. This book made me incredulous, and then appalled, and then angry; how do we allow such corruption and bias in a system that is supposed to be about justice, but is really about how much money you have and who you know? It’s insane that, not only are innocent people on death row and serving life sentences, but the process of getting them released even after they are proven innocent is so difficult and can take years, if it ever happens at all. How Mr. Stevenson was able to persevere through all the times when many people would have thrown in the towel is a testament to the amazing person he is. He helps the broken, the people outcast by society, the people who don’t have anyone else to help them.

    The main story line followed Walter McMillan, a black man on death row who is completely innocent of the murder he was accused of committing. The state of Alabama’s entire case was based on the false testimony of a man who was coerced and threatened by law enforcement and the prosecution to lie. Walter had an iron-clad alibi, but no representation to speak of, and he was sentenced to death row. The chapters that told Walter’s story were interspersed with the stories of many, many others in similar predicaments. While it wasn’t my favorite format, it did allow Stevenson to give the reader a more complete picture of the injustices in our judicial system, putting human faces on the anecdotes, while also building suspense in the narrative about Walter.

    This is such an incredible, well-written book. It is a difficult, heavy read, but an important one. I am so glad that people like Bryan Stevenson exist, and that he has gotten to tell his story.
    13 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2017
    Just Mercy: A Resilient Attorney, Winning People’s Lives Back

    In 2014, Bryan Stevenson published an oscar worthy memoir touching on the lives of the unjustly convicted, sentencing death. As a new, eager, inexperienced attorney we are shown first hand the amount of courage and endurance it takes to stand by impoverished, hopeless people using the courthouse as a battle field to win their lives back. Stevenson gives us authentic detailed insights into the world of an attorney, with the purpose of sharing the key theme of mercy. “Fear and anger can make us vindictive and abusive, unjust and unfair, until we all suffer from the absence of mercy and we condemn ourselves as much as we victimize others. The closer we get to mass incarceration and extreme levels of punishment, the more I believe it’s necessary to recognize that we all need mercy” This memoir bounces back and forth between a multi dimensional, emotionally impactful case of Walter McMillian, and supplementary cases, involving deeper issues that are untouched amongst women, children and disabled.
    Bryan Stenson is an American lawyer who graduated from John F. Kennedy school of government, Harvard University. His early role as an attorney was not taken seriously, but through his determination to challenge the bias against the poor and the minorities in the Justice system, he finds himself against a rock and hard place. As competitive as his field is, very few were interested in taking the time to investigate further into what could be done for wrongly accused death row inmates. It seems as if money and credibility is the sole thrust for achieving support in the courthouse. These cases are some of, if not the most challenging to work on, because even if you have proofable evidence, the judge and justice system might still push back to save their reputation and the repercussions that would come from the media blowing such an event up.
    Walter McMillian is wrongly accused of sodomy. He is accused of raping another man along with being questioned for the murder of a woman named Ronda Morrison. When “said to be” witnesses came into the picture, they themselves contribute to the falsity of the crime. McMillian is sentenced to death due to the collection of trackless evidence. Stevenson caught wave of this case six years later as McMillian was weeks away from his execution. Stevenson, as a young attorney is not taken seriously and feels entirely inadequate to make any effective efforts on a death penalty case. He quickly realizes that if he doesn't at least try no one else will. This is just the beginning to a long, strenuous journey towards exoneration of McMillian. Being the focal point of the book, the reader is able to step foot into our justice system and empathize with the people being affected by our complex and erroneous justice system.
    As readers we are given glimpses of other individual cases representing women, children and disabled being victimized in the justice system. In the United States, the death penalty for children is above the age of fifteen. A fourteen year old boy, Charlie was sentenced to lifetime imprisonment. He is a well rounded, and looked upon highly, although an uncomely event occurred when he shoots his mother's boyfriend, George. George is an alcoholic who one day comes home drunk and punches Charlie's mom in the face, leading her to bleed an obsessive amount. Charlie tries to help, but the bleeding continues. He strongly questions whether his mother is still alive, as she is lying unconscious on the floor. Before dialing 911 he grabbes a gun that is in a nearby drawer and shoots George. He then proceeds to dial. After Stevenson works with several cases like this he begins to represent juvenile cases whose violent acts have lead them behind bars. In the mid - 1980’s he established the equal justice institute in Montgomery, AL. From that point on there were changes in the way the criminal justice system dealt with youth. They realize that full development of an individual is at 18, and youth should not be penalized like an adult for their uncontrolled lack of development.
    Stevenson addresses how many cases involving mentally ill or disabled are handled in the same way as any other case. Stevenson goes on to say “Mass incarceration has been largely fueled by misguided drug policy and excessive sentencing, but the internment of hundreds of thousands of poor and mental ill people have been the driving force in achieving our record levels of imprisonment.” Inmates who have medical records or mental illnesses, are out of touch with reality, unable to identify right from wrong. Therefore, the jury has to exempt them from the execution. In another example young mothers are being accused for lack of evidence regarding their stillborn births.“Communities were on the lookout for bad moms who should be put in prison. About the same time as Marsha’s prosecution, Bridget Lee gave birth to a stillborn baby in Pickens County, Alabama. She was charged with capital murder and wrongfully imprisoned.” Stevenson goes on to describe the over crowded female regulated prisons and the manipulative promiscuous correctional officers amongst them.
    Stevenson is very declamatory with his writing style, with an idiomatic approach, which can appeal to all types of readers. His vast array of personal anecdotes and gut enthralling stories glue readers to the pages. His thoughts are crisp and innovative, allowing our eyes to see the justice system in a new light, and in many instances through the shoes of the accused. Stevenson gives us authentic detailed insights into the world of an attorney, with the purpose of sharing the key theme of mercy. By the end of this book you will have gained a new understanding of what mercy looks like and how we can take part in being more merciful to others.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2024
    Just Mercy is an absolutely incredible read. Bryan Stevenson masterfully tells the real-life stories of those caught in a flawed justice system, bringing to light the harsh realities of injustice and inequality. The book is both heart-wrenching and inspiring, as Stevenson shares his journey of fighting for people on death row, many of whom were wrongfully convicted.

    What makes this book stand out is how deeply it resonates on a personal level. Stevenson’s compassion and relentless pursuit of justice are truly inspiring, and it challenges readers to reflect on the power of mercy and humanity. This is a must-read for anyone who cares about fairness, justice, and human rights. A book that stays with you long after you’ve finished it!
    5 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Robert Murdock
    5.0 out of 5 stars Cries out Why? How can this happen?
    Reviewed in Canada on July 8, 2021
    As a student Diaconal Minister, questions of power and privilege, marginalization, and social Justice connected to a foundation of faith are at the core of my development. Just Mercy was at once readable, interesting yet invoked shock and dismay with another example of man’s inhumanity. A must read for anyone concerned about the human condition.
  • Shivkumar S
    5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful read. Informative and thought provoking
    Reviewed in India on August 15, 2022
    Bryan has amazing credentials to write this book. Having spent an entire career just ensuring that the African American community get fair representation, he has a deep viewpoint on the hidden biases in the system, and its repurcussions on his clients. Things are broken at multiple places, and I hope books like these keep sparking the conversations needed to fix them.

    I also hope such equivalent efforts surface for many other marginalized communities, across countries.
  • Cliente Amazon
    5.0 out of 5 stars True stories of hope in a broken system of justice
    Reviewed in Italy on June 11, 2022
    This book tells the poignant story of a young Harvard graduate lawyer who dedicates his life and career to saving the poor, the black, the uneducated and the underage victims of a seriously flawed criminal justice system, particularly (but not only) in several of the southern states. It is a well known fact that the US is a perpetrator of mass incarceration unlike any other western democracy, that the death penalty is given to people who are later proven innocent, that life in prison without parole is used even in non homicide cases and even with minors, that court assigned lawyers in some parts of the country do not defend their clients, that poor women with no pre natal care can be accused of murder if their babies are stillborn but there are no witnesses to the event, that the poor and racial minorities can be imprisoned for years for low level drug offenses. Yet this author's very personal narration of some of his most notable cases provides new awarenesses and jaw dropping reactions.
    What is most remarkable is the humanity that shines through here, the belief that justice can win out, that mercy is indeed 'a quality that is not strained' but 'dropeth like the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath', that mercy is at its greatest when directed toward those who 'don't deserve' it, that rehabilitation is possible, that we are all 'broken' and in need of repair in some way. It is not a despressing story; although the content is grave, it is peppered with human strengths and touching moments of solidarity. It is a human story about one man's mission and about our common invincible human spirit.
    Highly recommended to everyone, required reading for all Americans!
  • MRR
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book!
    Reviewed in Mexico on July 31, 2020
    Heart breaking but really well written, but most important gives you hope on humanity, there is still nice people that take care of others creating a better world.
  • Marcos Luz
    5.0 out of 5 stars A sad but necessary truth
    Reviewed in Brazil on June 3, 2018
    Yes, this book is about truth. We have cars, planes, internet, spaceship, nukes, thousands of thousands of robots and we still fail when the subject is race. Divisions among black and whites, north and south, Western and non-Western, blue and red political people. The world is full of artificial divisions. A sad but essential truth. The worst part of it all is that every one of us sees and usually lives by those divisions and criteria.

    We need to overcome this, fast.

    Capital punishment is here to stay.

    That’s another truth.

    I live in a country that only allows death sentences for war crimes and it doesn't deliver justice too. I am a man in the middle. Death sentences are needed and should be ruled only for some kind of crimes, after a well-placed investigation and fair trial.

    But what is a fair trial? I don't have the last word but could be jurors, prosecutors, lawyers, judges not elected, collegiate in a court of appeal to reexamine the case and the fairness of the sentence.

    Turning back to the book to finish this analysis, fair to say that it's well written, with some cases wrongly ruled and some good information inside.

    Sometimes, the author cherry-picked what is favorable to his narrative, not telling the other side of the story (usually the victim and victim's side of the story).

    Despite this minor setback, I totally recommend it.