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312th out of 379 books
—
286 voters
Cell 2455, Death Row: A Condemned Man's Own Story
In June 1948, 27-year-old petty criminal Caryl Chessman was sentenced in California on two counts of sexual assault, receiving two death sentences as punishment in a case that remains one of the most baffling episodes in American legal history. Maintaining his innocence of these crimes, Chessman lived in Cell 2455, a four-by-ten foot space on Death Row in San Quentin for t...more
Paperback, 336 pages
Published
August 10th 2006
by Da Capo Press
(first published April 1974)
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Un libro commovente per la precisa, sincera ricostruzione di una vita di odio e di crimini. Chessman non vuole la pena del lettore, né tantomeno giustificarsi per la serie di crimini da lui commessi nella sua vita: incise sulle pagine come col fuoco, le sue parole sottolineano allo sfinimento come la colpa delle sue scelte è solo sua, sua la responsabilità, sua la vita che si è scelto. Allo stesso tempo, condanna il sistema giudiziario, e non solo, l'organo dipsciplinare di un paese che non cerc...more
Un libro imprescindible para entender el eterno debate sobre la pena de muerte en el mundo.
El autor, sentenciado a la pena capital en 1948 (a sus 27 años de edad) es transportado a la penitenciaría de San Quintín y recluído al "Pabellón de la muerte".
Allí, con una frialdad impresionante, se forma en Derecho Penal y Latín, escribe tres libros autobiográficos y una novela.
Desde el primer día, asume su auto-defensa y busca la luz en los recovecos legales, encontrando amparo en sucesivas apelaciones...more
El autor, sentenciado a la pena capital en 1948 (a sus 27 años de edad) es transportado a la penitenciaría de San Quintín y recluído al "Pabellón de la muerte".
Allí, con una frialdad impresionante, se forma en Derecho Penal y Latín, escribe tres libros autobiográficos y una novela.
Desde el primer día, asume su auto-defensa y busca la luz en los recovecos legales, encontrando amparo en sucesivas apelaciones...more
If you are interested in what goes on inside the mind of a psychopathic criminal, as I am, then you will enjoy this book. Caryl Chessman writes well as he tells you the story of his life, and brings you into his mind. His book is obviously self-serving, as he tells you his version of the truth, or hides the things he doesn't want you to know about, trying to gain your sympathy for his cause (he didn't want to die in the gas chamber, though he eventually did). But he speaks eloquently and intelli...more
Caryl Chessman was a career criminal, condemned to death row for kidnap, and rape. Raised by the state of California, Chessman grew up in juvenile halls, and the California Youth Authority prison system for juvenile offenders. From the beginning it appears Chessman never had a chance. He was condemned years before he was actually sentenced to die in the gas chamber at San Quentin. Disadvantaged, poor, rebellious, and angry at the injustice of the world: his mother paralyzed, his father’s ailing...more
In 1948, Caryl (pronounced like Christmas carol!) Chessman was convicted of kidnapping and sexual assault, which at the time was a death penalty offense under the Lindburg law. He spent 12 years on death row and was executed in 1960 after several appeals had been exhausted.
What makes his story interesting is that he grew up mostly in the prison system, yet was so intelligent and well educated that he was able to represent himself at his trial. (He was also a total piece of shit who most likely...more
What makes his story interesting is that he grew up mostly in the prison system, yet was so intelligent and well educated that he was able to represent himself at his trial. (He was also a total piece of shit who most likely...more
Aug 04, 2012
Sue Watson
marked it as to-read
I haven't read it yet but I can't believe how easy it is to get a copy now must be back in print I searched book shops for years back in the late 80s after I heard Caryl Chessmans story, an finally got it when the internet started up an were selling second hand books online. I will read it soon.
This is the real-life story of a man who was condemned to death for being the Red Light Bandit.
While on death row for 12 years, he became a lawyer; and an author of two best selling books.
It is excellent.
While on death row for 12 years, he became a lawyer; and an author of two best selling books.
It is excellent.
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A wonderfully well written story. It is interesting how Chessman cannot see his own shortcomings, but eloquent nonetheless.
Great read! Chessman was a talented author.
Possibly my favorite book ever.
Um testemunho impressionante!
Jun 16, 2013
Rachid Amrani
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“It is my hope and my belief that you will be able to report that I died with dignity, without animal fear and without bravado. I owe that much to myself.”
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