It’s an eye-opener, both revealing and educational. I learned a lot about how the approach to execution has changed over the centuries, and the different methods that were/are used and why they were developed, etc.
It was interesting to read about how public executions were once a common thing. It really does make you think about human nature. The real life cases that are discussed in the book also make you wonder about the systems that are currently in place. Helle makes it clear in the book that she is against the death penalty but it’s not a book about why capital punishment should be scrapped. It’s, as the title states, an overview of the past and current systems. Helle has highlighted, using real case studies, many flaws with the lethal injection and electric chair methods that are still in use today in the USA.
This is a well-researched and an informative book. I would recommend it to anyone who would like to find out more about what types of methods of execution exist. It’s probably not an exhaustive list but it covers many and varied methods and gives a succinct history. It also includes quotes from many people involved in the whole process, from those who invented the devices/methods to those who carry out, or have carried out, the executions.
Condemned is narrated in a clear and concise way. I was hooked from the start.
An insightful and thought-provoking read.
It’s a fascinating, disturbing topic, and the book sounds like it handles the dark subject with the right balance.
The mob mentality concerning the death penalty is distressing, and that has continued through today.
Thanks for the review, Maria.
I agree with you about the ‘mob mentality’; it’s quite sad the way humans behave towards each other.
Definitely an eye-opening book.