Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption

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.

The word hero gets bandied about quite frequently in this day and age. Ordinary people certainly perform heroic acts, but rare is the individual who lives their whole life so heroically. One such person is Bryan Stevenson, founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, a non-profit organization that advocates for the poor and impoverished. Many of his clients are those on death row, children tried, convicted and sentenced to life without parole (a practice the Supreme Court later ruled unconstitutional based on Bryan's tireless litigation) and those incarcerated with severe mental health issues. I first heard this book recommended on the "Books on the Nightstand" podcast as one of the best of 2014 with such conviction and couldn't be more thankful for listening to that episode. I immediately downloaded "Just Mercy" for my kindle, began reading and was so utterly transfixed that I couldn't put it down. There are two interconnected elements that make this book so compelling and important. The first is Bryan. He is remarkable --- his energy, passion, selflessness and commitment to justice is inspiring --- and his ability to maintain a sense of hope in spite of the setbacks to his clients, justice and the seemingly insurmountable hurdles faced in so many circumstances can and should inspire others. The second element are the issues that Bryan talks about in “Just Mercy” and which he has dedicated his life. He shines a bright microscope on our criminal justice system and the choices that our society has chosen to make. There were so many times I felt a sense of horror and anger as I read these stories and it truly sank in how our justice system is stacked against those most in need of its protections. In fact, as I read this book, the lasting feeling I was left with was that our criminal justice system is much more of a criminal retribution system. Some may read this book as about the death penalty and that would be an unfortunate and simplistic takeaway. The fundamental issues “Just Mercy” raises are about whether our society and its legal systems are truly about delivering justice for victims of crime, how well it maintains objectivity and neutrality, regardless of race, gender, income or other types of inherent historical or systemic biases. One comes away discouraged that we are more interested in retribution than justice. At the same time, Bryan’s sense of hope can only serve to inspire everyone to eliminate such defeatism and actively participate to remake our society into one that seeks justice and redemption. One quote Bryan had and which he shares in his TED talk as well that captures this outlook is “I choose to believe that each of us is more than the worst thing we’ve ever done”. There were many great books in 2014 and I’ve read some fiction and non-fiction books this year that moved me, emotionally, spiritually and intellectually. “Just Mercy” was without a doubt that most profoundly impacted me this past year and without hesitation is the single most important book published in 2014.

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!

This book is confrontational in every respect. The argument against capital punishment is unequivocal. The history of racist methods of finding fault leading to guilty verdicts, of guilty men, women and children resulting in imprisonment on death row is horrific. Bryan Stevenson’s dedication to his life’s work defending black prisoners resulting in their release is quite remarkable. All Americans should read this book and acknowledge the injustices of the past. Truth and reconciliation will lead to a just society in which all citizens are truly regarded as equal.

Excellent account of Rascism in US

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!

Absolutely beautiful, but eye- opening and maddening sad. A must read.

Le livre documente parfaitement comment le système judiciaire des États-Unis est structurellement biaisé contre les noirs pauvres. Le témoignage est vigoureux, et angoissant à la lecture de l'expérience de l'auteur. C'est aussi un plaidoyer fort contre la peine de mort. Le livre m'a été recommandé par un ami étatsunien avocat qui consacre une partie de son activité à reprendre des vieux jugements de condamnation à mort pro bono. C'est en lisant ce livre qu'il a lui-même décidé d'aller dans le sud pour demander la révision des jugements.