Very well done. If I hadn't already had a position in this issue, this world have gone a long way toward establishing my position. Mr. Turow is very convincing but not too heavy-handed. It does feel like he is advocating--as opposed to lasting out the arguments--but, since he isn't trying to hide that fact, I wasn't bothered by it. I was impressed by how practical and functional his arguments were. He did not rely on moral arguments and that gave him credibility for me. Recommended for anyone with an interest in the subject or who is on the fence on this issue.

This book wasn’t what I was expecting, but it does bring up some fair points. Especially those in regard to the racial injustice, the unfairness in who gets life and who gets death, and the overall wrongly convicted.

A good read, just slightly boring in some places.

A book that helped me clarify and articulate my own vague beliefs about the death penalty.

Strong argument for monitoring of cases where the defendant has been remanded to death. Actual factual examples of cases before the Illinois Commission on the Death Penalty that were overturned due to several improper criminanl procedures, including suppression of evidence, trumped up charges, lies, deliberate with holding of information, filing of false reports and includes issues that the victims have to contend with. Recommended.

Learned a lot but still not convinced to take a definitive stand on death penalty

I wasn't sure what to expect, but this turned out to be a very good, thought-provoking look at the death penalty. Turow did an excellent job of depicting his own struggles in coming to a personal conclusion on the death penaalty, and in doing so, it really felt like a fair and balanced view. It definitely made me take a look at my own values.

Scott Turow writes very clearly.I tried to keep an open mind,and was pleased that Turow presented a fair,balanced argument.I've read One L(non-fiction)as well as several of his novels.He's writing is vastly superior to that of John Grisham.

Years ago I picked up this slender book. Subtitled "a lawyer's reflections on dealing with the death penalty," it relates Turow's experience handling a couple of death penalty appeals pro bono and serving on the Illinois commission that looked at the death penalty. He said he began as a "death penalty agnostic" -- not opposed, not for -- and ended up so concerned that the report he participated in led to Gov. Ryan's decision to declare a moratorium on the punishment.

This is a thoughtful discussion of the issues. And you already know that Turow can write in a way that keeps you reading!

A truly interesting book. Mr Turow reflects on the Illinois death penalty and his investigation as part of a panel to recommend reforms to the death penalty in the early 2000's.

Mr Turow considers all kinds of angles, is the death penalty just? is it practical (he notes that the cost of a death penalty trial outweighs the cost of incarcerating a convict for life and that there aren't enough death penalty cases each year for abolition to show appreciable savings, both points I found fascinating)? does it deter violent crime? and a host of other approaches.

For each of these angles, Mr Turow presents related statistical and anecdotal evidence, both favoring and opposing the death penalty with citations in the back.

Reading this book, I think I changed my mind on the death penalty every other page. On the one hand, the justice system is fallible and plenty of death row inmates have been exonerated. On the other hand, you have those people who truly deserve to be shot and left to rot in a hole.

Ultimately, Mr Turow asks if a process can be implemented that will reliably weed out only those criminals who truly deserve the death penalty and protects the innocent from being put to death.

4.5/5. Phenomenal read for anyone, even if you find the law insufferably boring. Doesn’t try to convince you of anything, but presents the scope of capital punishment as widely as possible. Went into this not fully respecting the weight of the death penalty. This book understands not just what the death penalty says about America, but about humans.

See things from many sides on this difficult question

Think you're for the death penalty? Read this book and you may not be.

Think you're against the death penalty? Read this book and you may not be.

This is a difficult question with many sides - and Scott Turow tries to find them all. From mistaken identity, to bias, to the fact that not all crimes are considered the same by juries - to criminals whom this world would be better without.

There are a lot of questions in this book - and though Scott Turow gives his own definitive answer, it might not be yours.

He was put on a force to give an answer to the government on this - and he explored it well. But though he has his own answer - this book brings up many questions. But however you feel about this topic - I recommend it.

Interesting, but I already knew a lot of what happened with the commission Gov. Ryan appointed from watching "Deadline."