Angel of Death Row:  My Life as a Death Penalty Defense Lawyer
582353
WOW!  A great book and one that really taught me alot about the judicial system and the wrongs that can be done.
2953957
I loved this book.  I have always been for the death penalty, and after reading Grisham's book, I have completely changed my mind. I liked the characters in the book, and it made me wonder how many other people have been put to death wrongly.  The death scene made me catch my breath and I felt like I was there. I think when an author writes something that makes people have to think about what is in there heart about the subject, he has done his job. I recommend this book to everyone!
3980171
This is a very interesting story about a young lawyer assigned to try her first death penalty case. Of course things don't go as planned and things quickly become quite complicated. There are several subplots which tie quite nicely with the plot and add to the interest of the story.
1233580
Good read and would highly recommend this book if you have unanswered questions about the death penalty...
3987820
This book kept my interest the entire way, beginning to end.  I felt a personal touch with the lawyer, in his personal relationships, as well as the difficulty of the case.  If I ever needed a lawyer for such a serious charge, I wish I could hire such a lawyer - he not only had the training of a
priest, but became a lawyer to protect those who cannot protect themselves, especially the priest who tried to help a friend and almost was convicted of murder.  Thanks for writing this book!
987234
This really ought to be required reading for all law students. It is a fascinating tour of a defense of a client who had no defense by a lawyer who was an excellent negotiator, which came in handy when dealing with the Communists. It has the Cold War, spies, an insider's look at the law, and a little bit of JFK.  My favorite section is when he is negotiating with the East Germans/KGB. It is a quick read and is approachable for non-lawyers, too. I highly recommend this book.
2281242
As a new lawyer and current BigLaw associate (and Angeleno) this book really spoke to me.  So much of what Graham describes in BigLaw life rang true, and his quest to find meaning in the law through his involvement in Mario Rocha's ridiculously unjust conviction really struck a chord.  I was familiar with Mario's story having watched the documentary on him, but this book gave a more in-depth description of all that went on in the many years his conviction was being challenged, and also gave a real sense of how much Mario, his family and friends, and his legal team had to endure to get him the freedom he always deserved.
1624516
I read Devil's Knot first, which was very detailed about what happened to these three boys. As the saying goes, my mouth was hanging open almost every time the judge made a ruling. I can't believe he got away with that. It's was disgusting. And something should be done to that juvenile probation officer who started all the rumors about the Satanic involvement. It was a very good book, but I wish all the notes were at the bottom of the page instead of the back of the book. Lots of flipping back and forth.

I'm reading Life After Death now. Mr Echols is a very good writer. This book tells about his experiences growing up, his experiences in prison, and I assume it will also tell about the trial too. He's definitely been through a lot. I just hope he is doing well now, and enjoying life.
4342798
American lawyer Clarence Darrow (1857-1938) is often remembered only as the "infidel" lawyer opposing William Jennings Bryan at the so-called "Monkey Trial" of John Thomas Scopes. But he had a very important and influential career both before and after this famous trial, as a famous labor lawyer, and later criminal lawyer---including of the infamous "thrill killers" Leopold and Loeb.  (Of fifty criminal trials with the death penalty at stake, only one person defended by Darrow---his first---ever received the death penalty.)  He also defended the African-American family of Dr. Ossian Sweet, whose home was attacked by a white mob.

Darrow began as a corporate lawyer, working for a railway company, but eventually, "To him there was a stark contradiction in being a railroad lawyer by day and a radical by night; the more radical causes he adopted, the more intolerable his position seemed."  However, "In spite of his fierce desire for truth, his avid reading, and his consistent pursuit of the pleasures of the mind, he was no scholar."

Tierney offers many insights about Darrow and his manner of working: e.g., "He performed best in a thoroughgoing confrontation, when reconciliation was neither desired nor practicable."; "Darrow always had a tendency to say things more for their effect than because they were true."  Tierney also observes that "Acting on behalf of clients with whom he sympathized politically, and whose cause he believed in, he had lost the professional quality of objectivity.  In his ardent desire that a political persuasion should be vindicated, he had all too often ignored or suppressed the unpleasant particulars of a case in favor of bringing out its supposed political implications."

Espousing many controversial views (such as his outspoken agnosticism), and often attacked as an advocate of "free love" as well as Socialism, Tierney says that "Darrow was about as much a free lover as a socialist---which is to say not much at all."

In his willingness to talk with and assist young lawyers, "Darrow never forgot that he got his first chance because of the kindness of men who were already established, and even at the pinnacle of his fame he would put work aside to help a young unknown."

This is an excellent biography for anyone interested in Darrow.
2676322
Very interesting and suspenseful. Interesting because I believe the 13th jury lives down the street from me and suspenseful,because until you get to the end you just don't know whether he is getting off of death row or actually being executed. I am not much of a reader,but the books are so interesting that I just could not put it down until I new the end of the story. If you are into reading real life events and suspense of it all,this is a must read book.
2884678
This scathing indictment of the Texas justice system and the death penalty was impossible to put down and so I finished it in one day. I highly recommend this book to any who loves legal thrillers and especially those who have opinions about the death penalty, either for or against.
885500
A firsthand glimpse into the lives of corrections workers who also happen to be executioners. Interesting read with many anecdotes about executions, inmates, and life behind bars. The author does tend to delve into the politics of the death penalty a bit too much, however. Worth a read!
4619725
I enjoyed equally the second volume of Professor's Campbell's book series. It is a fascinating read as a former criminal defense attorney switches sides in the adversary system.  Having read about the author's experience as a criminal defense attorney, it was a real treat to see how the "freedom lawyer" played prosecutor. My favorite story in the book was "A Jury of One's Peers." The author was assigned the duty of defending the position of the government that dismissing jurors based on age was a discriminatory practice. How enjoyable to read about a prosecutor's ethical battle with a judge! Campbell certainly keeps you interested as he delves into complex constitutional questions.
2120357
The author is a personal friend. I thoroughly enjoyed reading "Cases and Courtrooms Remembered." Larry Funderburk is an outstanding lawyer. He has written a concise, succinct publication which gives you a glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes. Trying an abundance of cases over the course of years has given him keen insight on what is relevant from a juror's perspective. He has evidenced the capacity to effectively cut to the chase and mastered the art of persuasion. Kudos to my good friend Larry Funderburk. From my perspective, he is a mentor extraordinaire and a consummate professional.
4246976
Hey All. This is one of the best books ever written by King. This book in no doubt will make you think twice about the death penalty. It is probably my favorite book
2725471
This book was written in 1994 and details the road to death row for thirteen women: Maria Isa (MO), Debra Milke (AZ), LaFonda Foster and Tina Powell (KY), Deidre Hunt (FL), Yvette Gay (NC), Faye Copeland (MO), Maxine Walker (AL), Blanche Taylor Moore (NC), Marilyn Plantz (OK), Karla Faye Tucker (TX), Sabrina Butler (VA), and Judy Buenoano (FL). Ten years later, only Milke and Moore remain on death row in their respective states. The sentences of Isa, Foster, Powell, Hunt, Gay, and Butler were commuted (in fact, Butler was ultimately released in 1995). Copeland's sentence was commuted; she was later paroled for health reasons and died in a nursing home from natural causes. Walker died in prison from natural causes. Three of the women profiled have been executed: Buenoano and Tucker in 1998, and Plantz in 2001.

Plantz's story has an even sadder coda:  she was executed for arranging the murder-for-hire of her husband, Jim Plantz, in 1988.  At the time she had two children, Trina (age 9) and Chris (age 7).  These children lost their father to death, their mother to prison and finally death.  Trina reconciled with her mother at the eleventh hour, although Chris never did.  Trina's tragedy was compounded the year after her mother's execution, when her brother Chris died in a motorcycle accident.

The stories of each woman are interestingly related, although it's not hard to see that the author is very much a proponent of capital punishment. This book is definitely written from a pro-DP stance
1117007
What a fantastic book about an inmate on death row.  Can they prove his innocence in time?  You are on the edge of your seat counting down the days and then the hours..  A lot of suspense and good characters.  Please read this.