The top ten death penalty myths : the politics of crime control /

Does the United States need a death penalty today, especially since we are among the few nations that still have one? Its proponents claim that it deters crime, that death by lethal injection is painless and humane, that it is racially neutral, and that it provides "closure" for the victim's families. However, in this volume, attorney Gerber (retired judge, Arizona Court of Appeals) and Johnson (justice studies, Arizona State Univ.) dismantle these claims and several others with clear, well-researched arguments. Beginning with the history of the death penalty in Colonial times, the authors document how it has evolved over the years and how it has affected lawmakers and ordinary citizens alike. Particularly interesting are little gems of information about how politicians have used it to further their own careers. Although the authors lack the passion of a Sister Helen Prejean (who provides the foreword), their book is a vital contribution to the anti-death penalty cause. Written in lay readers' language, the arguments are poignant and intense. The book could serve as a primer for anti-death penalty groups. Highly recommended.--Frances Sandiford, formerly with Green Haven Correctional Facility Lib., Stormville, NY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.