Book Review: 'Just Mercy' by Bryan Stevenson

✰✰✰½ Decades ago Bryan Stevenson was a law student who really didn't have any idea of what he wanted to do. Fate intervened, and Stevenson ended up in an internship that sent his to tell a prisoner that he wasn't going to dies within the next year. That encounter became the catalyst for what would become Stevenson's life's work, helping individuals on death row.

A few years later, Stevenson met Walter “Johnny D.” McMillian on Alabama’s death row. McMillian, an African American, had been found guilty of murdering a young white woman, Ronda Morrison, even though he had a solid alibi for the time of the murder. As Stevenson learned more about McMillian’s case, there were just too many red flags. This book takes a look at the issues surrounding McMillian’s conviction and eventual release. Stevenson also includes stories about other cases that are equally troubling as well as information about the work of the Equal Justice Initiative.

The Bottom Line: This prize winning book is sure to provoke serious discussion about capital punishment. Throughout the book Stevenson asks thoughtful questions as he tells the stories of several incarcerated individuals. Highly recommended for colleges and individuals interested in death penalty and social justice issues.

Book Club Notes: On a scale of 1 - 5, with 5 being the highest, the book averaged 3.67 stars. Several in our group were not able to finish the book, but the parts they finished provoked strong emotions. This book could have almost been two books: one about McMillian’s case and the other about social justice issues.

The movie, on the other hand, averaged 5 stars. Our group was in agreement that the movie was excellent. It portrayed the essence of Stevenson’s message without getting bogged down with details like the book.

On a final note, it troubled us that the murder of Ronda Morrison remains unsolved. We longed for more information about Morrison, but there was little in the book.

Recommended for thought-provoking discussions in criminal justice classes, church groups, and others concerned with social justice. This is a challenging, but timely, topic.

Discussion guides are plentiful. Here are links to several different ones: Equal Justice Initiative, Teach With Movies, Beaverton Library, Mount Prospect Library, Define American, Freshman Year Reading Guide from Random House, Georgetown Public Library, Catholic Mobilizing Network, and St. Mary Immaculate Parish. Finally, you can supplement your discussion with the interview on 60 Minutes. 

Details: Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson. Paperback published in 2015. 368 p. ISBN: 978-0-8129-8429-8496-5