Have to read this as my first college assignment. I'm in the middle of it now.

About a nun who becomes the spiritual advisor to men on death row.

I have never read a book that has made me think as much as this one did. Before I read this book, I never knew what my opinion was on capital punishment, but I was leaning more toward being for it. Reading this book made me question everything I have ever believed about the subject. I really liked the way Sister Helen Prejean wrote the book, because she didn't try to push her beliefs on the reader and pretty much left it up to them to decide what they believed and gave pros and cons for each side. I used to always think that enforcing the death penalty would reduce crime because then the criminals would think twice before killing someone knowing that they could get the death penalty. But after reading this book and now knowing all the statistics, that isn't true. Crime rates actually increase whenever the death penalty is enforced because they realize if the government can kill people, they can too. And that's also true ... why should the government be able to kill people? Who said they could have the power to decide who should live and who should die? Some parts of the book were hard to read though, because it really vividly described what happens to the bodies of the people who are executed, and if you ask me, it kind of violates the amendment about cruel and unusual punishment ... I have a lot of thoughts brewing in my head right now concerning this book and capital punishment, which is good because I have to write an essay on it for my first college assignment, LOL :-P So due to that, this book won't be available for a while ... Probably not till the spring semester starts. I might even decide to make a bookring out of it in a few months, because the book was seriously that good and thought provoking.

Anyway, I really recommend this book. Like I said, it really makes you think. I'm still undecided on my beliefs about capital punishment, but I am definitely more educated on it now than I ever was before.

Welcome to the Dead Man Walking bookring! This is the final order of participants. If you would like to join, send me a PM and I'll stick you on the list. However, from now on I will only be adding people who are willing to ship internationally. Thanks to all who joined; I hope you enjoy the book!

verolyon (France - Ship Europe *int if need)
mirp (Ireland - Ship int)
Midlifecrisis (UK - Ship Europe *int if need)
Tregossip (UK - Ship Europe *int if need)
PussInBooks (UK - Ship Europe)
seethroughfaith (Finland - Ship Europe)
Sobergirl (Finland - Ship int)
Stellarv (Brazil - Ship int)
Wandering-B (Hong Kong - Ship int)

Back home to me! sunshinedreamr (CT, USA)

Rules:
1. Journal the book upon receiving it so we know where it is.
2. Feel free to state your views on capital punishment after reading the book and how your views have either changed or stayed the same. However, since the book is based on a controversial issue, there will be NO BASHING of other people's opinions. An opinion is an opinion, and we are all entitled to them. :]
3. Please try not to keep the book for longer than 3 months, then send it on to the next person.
4. PM the next person on the list when you have finished the book. If the person does not respond within 2 weeks, move to the next person on the list.
5. Do not damage the book, please.
6. The most important rule ... HAVE FUN!!!!

Fun stuff!:
1. Sign book!!
2. Add postcard from where you are to return home!

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Sent to the first participant today to kick off the ring! Enjoy, all! :)

The book arrived 2-3 weeks ago while I was away on holiday. I still have a few books ahead of this one but I'll try to keep a steady pace...

Sorry I kept this book for so long. Hope it will find more caring BCers in the future :) !

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Off to Ireland !

arrived today

This book is now on it's way to the next person on the list. I couldn't finish the book, I just found it too upsetting. I guess that says a lot about the power of the written word.

Not sure when this arrived, because I have just come back from holiday. However, it is safely with me and I will journal as soon as I have read it. Thanks everyone.

A big apology all round - a) for the delay in dealing with this book, and b) that I haven't read it. My life seems to be so full of other things at the moment it just wasn't happening, so I am going to pass this to Tregossip today. I've grubled in the past about people who sit on things and here I am doing it myself. Sorry again....

Thanks for dropping through the door today, I was just back from the dentist - -
Should finish the current read today and into this one next

There have been times when reading the paper/watching the news on awful murders I've thought maybe we (UK) should still have the death penalty.
Especially on the premeditated murders of societys most vulnerable and awful acts of sustained child abuse resulting in death.

Would it be a deterant? Obviously not on reading the US stats.

Have I changed my opinion now? The jury is still out for me and will probably remain out forever as now have more questions than answers.

A powerful, well written if uncomfortable read.

Have PussinBooks addy and will be posting next week

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

off to PussinBooks

received in the post today, thanks! looking forward to reading ASAP.

This definitely isn't a book that provides any easy answers, but it does make you think long and hard about the contradictions evident when those who claim to adhere to Christian teachings also support the death penalty. What the book makes clear is that fair application of the death penalty will probably always remain a dream, as if you're rich and white you're far more likely to escape a death sentence than if you're poor and with an ethnic background. The examples Sister Prejean gives of those who were mistakenly sentenced to death are also evidence enough alone to necessitate a moratorium on all death sentences. That said, the crimes of the two men she did counsel, are so appalling that I came away feeling they got what they deserved and the world is probably a better place without them. So, confusion reigns. It's all very well saying that there's no sense answering killing with more killing, but regardless you do get the sense that some people are so far beyond evil that nothing but death is fitting for them. A tough, emotive read if a little weighed down with factual nitty-gritty (necessary for legal reasons I suppose). Sending off to seethroughfaith today...

thanks the book arrived ok and I've started it already

excellent narrative. Well written. At times it's a bit hard going though. I've almost finished it now but sobergirl has asked to be skipped ...and so I'll contact Stellarv in Brazil who is next on the list. Bang goes my shipping only to Europe though :( but still I think this book was worth it.

No reply. Moving on to the next in the list Wandering-B

Sending this off to Wandering-B in Hong Kong today.

Please note Sobergirl asked to be skipped. Stellarv did not respond to my PMs -might be an idea if s/he's contacted again later?

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

BOOK RING release

received today. Have several in front of it, so it many take a bit longer than normal. Thanks to all for sharing. I will try to contact Stellarv to see if they are still interested before sending it on it's way home.

Thanks again for sharing this thought-provoking book. Previously I was in the death-penalty camp - just after one good friend's sister was murdered by her boyfriend and then another friend's sister was brutally murdered by an intruder. Over time, I have perhaps softened my stance in that everyone (probably) deserves to live, and that life in prison without possibility of parole is a better option for these kinds of crimes. Would I feel the same way if it were my daughter or son involved? I really can not say.

Sending back to sunshinedreamer as I have not heard back from Stellarv.

The book arrived home this weekend. Thanks to everyone who participated and made this a successful bookring! I hope you all enjoyed it. :)