Sunday, March 7, 2010

The Autobiography of An Execution


If you knew at precisely what time on exactly what day you were going to die, and that date arrived, and the hour and minute came and went, and you were not dead, would you be able to enjoy each additional second of your life, or would you be filled with dreadful anticipation that would turn relief into torture?

That is the question I asked myself at twenty minutes past eight o’clock on Halloween night. Jeremy Winston was still alive. He was in a holding cell, eight steps away from the execution chamber at the Walls Unit in Huntsville, Texas. He was supposed to have been dead for two hours.

David R Dow has had access to a world most of us will never experience. As a lawyer, he has represented over one hundred death-row cases. Many of his clients have died. Most were guilty. Some might have been innocent. The Autobiography of An Execution by David R. Dow is his deeply personal story about justice, the death penalty and a lawyer’s life.

I would highly recommend this book, as I love reading people’s autobiographies. It definitely gives you insight into lives we might not have the privilege to entry and David’s is no exception. I read this book cover to cover in a matter of hours. It is a must read for those that love books by John Grisham, Dave Cullen, and Jeffrey Toobin.

For more information on where to obtain a copy of this book and to gain more information about the author click here.
http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/books_9780446562065.htm

I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book to review for Hachette Book Group. If you are interested in participating in a giveaway for a copy of this book then all you need to do is comment. I will be giving out up to 5 copies of this book direct from the publisher.

Please No P.O. Boxes and this offer is only available for addresses in the US and Canada only. Please make sure I have a way to get in touch with you via email through your comments or blog. This giveaway will end on Friday, March 12th.

28 comments:

Mari said...

This sounds like a really interesting book!

Mich said...

The idea of this book saddens me,a little, for I think of someone sitting in a cell, awaiting death, with no hope.

An interesting concept though. I never really think of what the lawyer must go through.

Rita said...

Who would have ever thought of how the lawyer felt that was handling his case. I am sure that this book is very interesting. Would love to read it. i am so thankful that I can read!

Andrea said...

Interesting!

Praying for you, sweetie! Hope things are going well. Hugs, andrea

~from my front porch in the mountains~ said...

Kat, Did you ever see the movie "It's My Party."

Incredible. About a terminally ill man who throws himself a two day party, knowing at the end of it , he will take his own life. I won't tell you how it ends!

http://www.allmovie.com/work/its-my-party-135532

Another, but very hard to watch is
http://articles.latimes.com/1993-03-19/entertainment/ca-12710_1_silverlake-life

Human dignity at it's best....

Both, obviously are not death row in the same way as the book you have spoken about today. But, death sentence no less.
For about 10 years I worked with AID Atlanta. My life changed because of it, for the better.
Both movies can be rented. Sad? Yes. But, you will take away human spirit at it's best!

xo, misha

Denise said...

Sounds awesome.

Amy Prikazsky said...

Sounds really really interesting! I have often thought about that question myself and I'm so glad that we don't know the time of our death....I think it would make for a really miserable life....I want to get this book! Thanks for sharing!

amy[www.theprikazskys.com]

Just Be Real said...

The opening two paragraphs of your review kept my interest to say the least. I am sure this is one powerful book. Thanks Kat.

Heckety said...

I've wondered that myself and considered the whole lethal injection thing after watching films or reading books (yup! John Grisham!) in the past. Its the sword of Damocles scenario, isn't it? Its a flawed system in a flawed world.

jules said...

That sounds interesting. I couldn't imagine that though...

KrippledWarrior said...

I would very much interested in reading a book in this genre.
Krippledwarrior@gmail.com

Danae Hudson said...

Ooooo. That sounds amazing...

Beth Herring said...

I love autobiography's as well. This one seems sad, but I bet it has a powerful message.

Dave Cullen said...

It's a great book. (The first I ever blurbed--that's how much I liked it.)

The Red Brick Farmhouse said...

What a description! WOW! Sounds like a very interesting read!

Blessings~
Laura

SusanD said...

This sounds like a great read. Sign me up too. Thanks for another great giveaway. Blessings, SusanD

SusanD said...

Oh, and I'm a follower too. :) Blessings, SusanD

Carol said...

Kat, it sounds like a great read. Thank you.

Hugs and Blessings,
Carol

Carol said...

I am also a follower. :-)

Amy said...

I think my hubby would enjoy it ?? :)

Eva Joy said...

Please enter me in the drawing!

Jane In The Jungle said...

Oh girl, I've heard of this one and so want it!

sharon54220 said...

This definitely sounds very interesting. I would love a chance.

Thanks

sharon54220@gmail.com

sharon54220 said...

I am also a follower.

I forgot to also say that this is one of my favorite genres to read.

Thanks again for the chance.

sharon54220@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Oh man :( The book looks fantastic, pity I'm in South Africa so I don't even stand a chance :'(

Love your blog though!

Danae Hudson said...

Man! This book looks great :)

Danae Hudson said...

Wow, I couldn't realize if I'd entered and found I was already on here twice! Sorry. You can ignore those :)

DanaeHudson@gmail.com

Jolee said...

Very interested. Thanks!