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Just Mercy

Bryan Stevenson

Start date: February 1, 2020

Finish date: February 29, 2020

Discussion: Monthly Group Reads

Why we're reading this: Diversity group read: Colourism (aka shadeism)

Just Mercy A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Steve…more
[close] Diversity group read: Colourism (aka shadeism)

Just Mercy A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson

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What Members Thought

Jun 27, 2020 Louis Muñoz rated it it was amazing

One of the most important, if often heart-breaking, books I've read this year. I'll write more of a review later, but just had to add at least a quick few words to share how profoundly stirred AND shaken I was by this book. ...more

18 likes · Like · see review

Nov 20, 2018 Kay Dee (what is your storygraph name? mine is in my bio. join me!) Meadows rated it it was ok · review of another edition

well, i am finally done. 9 discs! the last few chapters were more of the same.
2-3 (sometimes 4!) cases are mentioned to highlight another aspect of abuse in the justice system like women, children, mandatory sentencing, mass incarceration, etc. he only tells us the conclusion of 1 case (maybe...). he gives lots of needless details like how he turns on a lamp or something. he mentions other people he meets. he mentions Walter. etc. etc. just too long.

like by disc 6, no need to convince me of the well, i am finally done. 9 discs! the last few chapters were more of the same.
2-3 (sometimes 4!) cases are mentioned to highlight another aspect of abuse in the justice system like women, children, mandatory sentencing, mass incarceration, etc. he only tells us the conclusion of 1 case (maybe...). he gives lots of needless details like how he turns on a lamp or something. he mentions other people he meets. he mentions Walter. etc. etc. just too long.

like by disc 6, no need to convince me of the problem. tell me how i can help fix it. he never got around to that.

he also never really detailed how he established EJI. all i know by the end of the book is that EJI has been around so long he has been to the US supreme court more than once and won more than once. the staff is large enough (for a charity that is) they are taking on over 200 cases becasue of the supreme court wins. EJI has been around so long he now knows lawyers in key places that used to work for him when they were just law students. maybe i missed the whole establishment of EJI but i don't think so.

and he kept trying to do different voices for different people. only they all sounded the same. why they thought he would be a good person to read this book, i dunno. also his accent made the way he said the word won weird sounding.

i think the only reason this got so many stars is becasue of the topic. def not becasue of the writing.

i can't wait for the movie. i am sure it, unlike the book, will actually be what the publishers blurb claims this book is about.

A powerful true story about the potential for mercy to redeem us, and a clarion call to fix our broken system of justice—from one of the most brilliant and influential lawyers of our time.

Bryan Stevenson was a young lawyer when he founded the Equal Justice Initiative, a legal practice dedicated to defending those most desperate and in need: the poor, the wrongly condemned, and women and children trapped in the farthest reaches of our criminal justice system. One of his first cases was that of Walter McMillian, a young man who was sentenced to die for a notorious murder he insisted he didn’t commit. The case drew Bryan into a tangle of conspiracy, political machination, and legal brinksmanship—and transformed his understanding of mercy and justice forever.

...more

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Nov 23, 2020 Laura rated it it was amazing

This book is incredible. It's a tough read, but very eye opening. I would never have imagined the justice system is this broken. And in many ways it's my fault as a citizen. The justice system we have has catered to my desire that someone, anyone be punished for every crime. Even better, punish them when they're young, before they've had a chance to hurt me or the people I care about.

I know a lot of people who think the US justice system is working great and that young men of color who stay out ...more

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Jan 02, 2021 Megan Snodgrass rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, sad-boi, happened-for-real, social-issues

Y'all, it's been two weeks and I still can't stop thinking about this book. When I say this book made me want to quit my job and go to law school to join in on this work I'm not kidding. A powerful and eye opening read is an understatement. I recommend for anyone to read and think about their stance on the death penalty and our current justice system. ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Jul 23, 2020 Katrisa rated it it was amazing

Wow. We really need to get a handle on this horrifying racist and classist "justice" system. We need to do better. Bryan Stevenson is a hero. ...more

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Feb 02, 2021 Lindsay rated it it was amazing

This was fascinating, horrifying, and heartbreaking. Hearing all the people who were let down by the justice system is awful and I hope people like Bryan Stevenson will right all the wrongs that others commit.

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