Top Ten Death Penalty Myths

Rudolph J. Gerber is a lawyer in private practice who teaches at Arizona State University. He is also a retired judge on the Arizona Court of Appeals. His most recent book is Legalizing Marijuana: Drug Policy Reform and Prohibition Politics.John M. Johnson is Professor of Justice Studies at the School of Justice and Social Inquiry, Arizona State University, where he has taught since 1972. He has published 12 books and has headed the ASU chapter of Amnesty International for 12 years.

• Foreword Sister Helen PrejeanAcknowledgmentsIntroductionchapter 1 Death Penalty History and the Myth of Community Bondingchapter 2 The Myth of the Rule of Law in Capital Caseschapter 3 The Myth of Equal Justicechapter 4 The Myth of Deterrencechapter 5 The Myth of Fidelity to the Constitutionchapter 6 The Myth of Humane Executionchapter 7 The Myth of Closurechapter 8 The Myth of Retributionchapter 9 The Myth of Effective Crime Controlchapter 10 The Myth of the Dedicated Public ServantConclusionSelected BibliographyIndex

"Beginning with the history of the death penalty in Colonial times, the authors document how it has evolved over the years and how it has affected lawmakers and ordinary citizens alike. Particularly interesting are the little gems of information about how politicians have used it to further their own careers....[A] vital contribution to the anti-death penalty cause. Written in lay readers' language, the arguments are poignant and intense. The book could serve as a primer for anti-death penalty groups. Highly recommended." - Library Journal, Starred Review