The book is in two parts: the first lays down the elements of citical thinking and the art of dissecting an argument, and the second is an excellent selection of readings which offer both pro and con views on a wide variety of social and moral subjects.

I find myself continually referring to the second section of the book, because the readings selected are compelling, and very well written. They include modern writers, as well as the best writings of past authors who explore contemporary issues of their day. That they continue to be "hot" issues today speaks to the continuing struggle we have with certain kinds of issues.

After each pair of readings the authors have offered a series of questions for further thought, which can be used for independent analysis of the reading, or as part of a course in critical thinking. I found these questions very helpful in stimulating discussion with others, especially those with strong feelings in the subject areas.

This book has become a "must read" in my circle of critically thinking frinds.

It is true that overall Bedau presents an argument in opposition to capital punishment. However, this argument is very well researched and documented. One may disagree with the conclusion, but it would be difficult to refute the evidence presented in the book. Furthermore, the very fact that the book is a collection of research may be the reason it appears one-sided. Having attempted objective research on the issue of capital punishment myself, it is often difficult to find solid research in support of capital punishment. More often support comes in the form of statements of belief or opinion. If you are looking for an equal collection of arguments for and against the death penalty in America, then this book is not for you. However, if you are looking for very solid research on the topic, presented in a logical, easy to understand format, then this is an excellent resource.

Those three words, "Compassion", "Love", and "Mercy", need to be practiced more often in our country of America. The author of this book, who I have had the honor of meeting and have also heard him speak, has compassion, love, and mercy. His courage to fight against the death penalty, an unpopular stand in our country, shows him to be a wonderful human being. He is not only a wonderful author, he also gets personally involved with ordinary citizens to help those who are trying to rid our country of an unfair and different kind of homicide called execution. This book is a great book to read, and as one other person who reviewed this book mentioned, probably only death penalty opponents will read it. I challenge those who believe in killing those who kill and sometimes killing those who are innocent of the crime of which they have been convicted, read this book even if, or especially if, you are afraid you might be converted to knowing the death penalty is wrong. If you do not have that fear, you won't have a problem reading this book. Please do! Everyone who reads this book will learn something. I've not only have purchased this book for myself, I also buy it as a gift for others. Buy it, read it, and share it! jskaggs@flash.net

If you want an indepth analysis of the death penalty, this is the book for you! Jam-packed with history, statistics, trends, and lots of vital information, this book is a must-have for any serious anti-death penalty activist.

I agree with the first reviewer. A blatant case of intellectual dishonesty. Michael Radelet is one of the worst researchers on capital punishment. I don't know how the guy got his tenure. Don't buy it!!

Just some definitional clarification in response to comments made about the "intellectual dishonesty" of the authors:

CAPITAL OFFENSE - a crime for which the death penalty may be imposed. Black's Law Dictionary, 7th Ed. 1999.

Black's is the legal system's most trusted authority on legal terminology, and while it is perhaps unfair and potentially misleading for the authors to have exploited a reader's possible misunderstanding of the nature of capital sentencing and prosecutorial dealmaking, the authors are correct in their usage of the term.

This is a wonderful book documenting some of the most significant failures of Justice in the 20th century. The stories presented within are both enthralling and heartbreaking. I highly recommend this book.

Another reviewer accused this book's authors of "intellectual dishonesty" for including crimes that did not result in a death sentence. However, this reviewer erroneously stated that only crimes that eventually result in the death penalty are capital crimes. This is not true. A capital crime is an crime that carries with it the _potential_ for recieving a death sentence - not just the crimes that actually do recieve such a sentence.

The authors also stated in the introduction that they would be including crimes which, at the time they were committed, constituted a capital offense, but no longer are considered death penalty-eligible (like rape).

The only "intellectual dishonesty" present is that of certain reviewers who make false statements and tarnish the reputations of well-respected researchers.