Contemporary Issues Companion - The Death Penalty (hardcover edition) - Hardcover

Mitchell, Hayley R.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0737704586 ISBN 13: 9780737704587

Publisher: Greenhaven Press, 2001

Synopsis

Essays in this anthology explore this complex issue by examining the different perspectives and philosophies surrounding the use of the death penalty, the way in which it is administered, and the issue of the innocent on death row.

About this title

Reviews

Grade 9 Up-This companion volume to Gail Stewart's The Death Penalty (Greenhaven, 1997) is a no-nonsense compilation of articles written since the hardcover volume was published. Not truly an update, it is grouped by topic (administration and implementation, the question of innocence, etc.), and articles attempt to illuminate rather than argue along strict oppositional lines. Though edited, the articles require careful, mature reading. Each one begins with a biographical sketch about the author and a clear position statement. Interesting angles include articles on women inmates and poignant personal narratives by writers who befriended inmates on death row and who witnessed their executions. Interestingly, though there is no pro/con format, the preponderance of the articles clearly oppose the death penalty. With a thorough index and bibliography, as well as a list of organizations to contact, this companion volume is a worthwhile addition to high school collections.
Mary R. Hofmann, Rivera Middle School, Merced, CA
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Gr. 7-12. Like the books about abortion in the boxed review on p.1270, this title in the Contemporary Issues Companion series takes on an issue of intense public interest and presents viewpoints from all sides. Most of the 21 articles by judges, law professors, journalists, and politicians were published in the last three years, and they range from historical overviews and legal arguments to a harrowing personal narrative of witnessing a friend's execution. A survivor of the Unabomber's mail bomb calls for enforcing the death penalty; opponents claim that capital punishment remains arbitrary, unfair, and racist. One section discusses the innocent on death row. The editor's introductory essay and the brief summary at the head of each article provide a useful framework. This is sure to stimulate debate, and the excellent bibliography and source notes will aid further research. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Edition details

• Publisher: Greenhaven Press
• Publication date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0737704586
• ISBN 13: 9780737704587
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 160