Worth the trouble to read about the trouble
585631
The first ever I read of her.  I am impressed. Love the insights and the use of language. Shall definitely read many more of her books
1282809
This book is absolutely harrowing and makes one wonder how America lasted until the 20th century -- learn the 19th century origins of the U.S. drug problem (children got hooked on the morphine and the opium in the patent medicines given to them to calm them down, for example) and why the Prohibition might not actually have been an over-reaction to alcohol; learn how our public school system originated as a rote memorization factory in which children ill-fed, ill-taught, and ill-washed crammed onto benches while an ignorant man or woman, not paid enough for even room and board, tried to keep some semblance of order (for which endeavor one schoolteacher got stoned to death for her pains); learn how common were the transportation accidents of the day, in which railroad tracks went through towns without regard to the usual traffic and a propensity for cutting the maintenance costs meant dangerous conditions for those on and off the train.
This book does not go into exhaustive detail (even if it exhausts the reader), and is illustrated with clippings from magazines and newspapers of the time.  One other reviewer complained that photographs weren't used, but truthfully I don't =want= to see the photographs of the conditions.  The drawings and the text provide enough horror, and I think Dr. Bettman did not want to put readers off =too= much.  Also, the drawings from the press give one information that photographs would not have -- the perspective of the people at the time.  Many of the drawings come with captions or some doggerel poetry, indicating how well people knew what disgusting things they were getting into.
2412537
The book had me at the title and it kept me throughout.

It's a cautionary tale that skims along uncomfortably close to the lives of all of us who, although we don't have a ton of money in the bank, think that because we are doing the 'right' things, we'll be OK. It gives a troubling look at the perils of having real health problems, being downsized, homeless, and at some issues facing gay friends and family. Joe is someone we can identify with and you can't finish the book without wondering what really happened to Joe--and can that happen to me? I like having the discussion topics at the end--makes this a book worth sharing.
4765926
This book has important, if disturbing, information that justice professionals should know if they don't. I found it enlightening, if hard slogging. I wish Mr. Fleury-Steiner had had a better editor to make it more readable. Still worth the time and effort.
1553373
The material presented in this book should be required reading/listening.  I purchased the audio CD version to listen to during my commute.  If you've ever heard mark Steyn on the radio, then you'll be familiar with his dry witty remarks.  Unfortunately, they just don't come across very well when read by someone with a rather pompous voice.  All in all, a very worthwhile purchase - I'd recommend it to anyone interested in hearing the "other" side of the story.  Citing numerous references and naming names, Mark Steyn illustrates the demographic nightmares already affecting most of Europe and Canada, and just waiting for the opportunity to come to America.
2613718
A good story woven around a very real problem.  I liked it so well that I purchased an extra copy to loan to friends.  Very thought provoking.
3567388
A good read that goes the extra mile - not only identifies the issue, but shows how to overcome it.
2311855
If one is about the business of seeking justice and correctness in life, particularly in america, then this author's book is worth the price and time to read.  The author puts regurgitates and puts forth images and currently presented societal evidence of what can be considered world history by europeanized standards.  While there is the current trend to put forth the alternative view of this amalgam called american history and all the people's contribution, the question of personal responsibility, solutions to the mess that was created and next steps has been missing.  This author does a competent job in letting the reader do the critical thinking necessary to further prove and or dispute what is known about who's who and what's what in regards to history. Be prepared to deal with some unhealed wounds.
4674408
I really enjoyed Rights at Risk. Shipler covers the dark side of our criminal justice system. It's a tough but necessary read. Shipler discusses many of the bad elements: Abusive and unethical prosecutors coercing false confessions, unfair and punitive immigration laws, underpaid and unprepared defense lawyers; all of these are a part of our justice system.

The best part was Shipler's story of the young  who knows the cops are framing him and won't accept the actual facts, so he manufactures a false confession--claiming he stopped at his grandfather's house when his grandfather was deceased. Both exciting and with a valuable message, Rights at Risk is a great read.
2087511
Although I disagreed with the author on some points, this book is well worth reading. It will force a confrontation within you to discover true motives within. Sooner is better than later in dealing with this issue!
207487
This story deals with lots of issues that plague many people.  It is fast paced and intriguing.  A worthwhile read.
4432622
I enjoyed reading this book, even though I knew the outcome was not pleasant. It is thought-provoking and worthy of much discussion with fellow readers.
2897691
This book was difficult to read and therefore had to re-read several sections twice to fully understand.  Patience was worth it because I truly appreciate how it made the connection about not only religion and ritual, but other aspects of daily life which are ritualistic without even thinking about them.
3933190
This book is at times hard to read, not through any fault of the authors, but because of the subject matter itself. It continues to astound me that we are capable of such cruelty towards each other, and this book describes some truly heinous acts. I wanted to stop reading quite a few chapters because I knew the abuse suffered by the victims was only going to escalate, but I couldn't. This might be a book of abduction, confinement and abuse, but it's also a book of courage and survival. I can't say that I enjoyed this book because that would just sound wrong, but it is well-written and well-researched, and kudos to the author for not sensationalising the perpetrators.
3078054
Though this was a very difficult book to read due to the content, it was well worth the read...and really made you think about where we live and what we have to appreciate. It also made you think long and hard about what one human can do to another and what people will resort to for a cause that they believe in.
835111
If you are reading for pleasure, you could find yourself stressed by the myriad of problems except for God's power.
1226467
The book made for compelling reading but it treated the culpable parties with kids gloves and served as an apologia for both the church and city officials who contributed to this disaster.  It does follow the official reports and other sources, and in that respect, it is worth reading.