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Reviews
Angel of Death Row: My Life as a Death Penalty Defense Lawyer by Alan M. Dershowitz, Andrea D. Lyon
lazwright's review against another edition
5.0
Having briefly worked for Andrea, this book was a wonderful insight into her character. She explains the justice (or lack thereof) system in a way that is easily understandable and paints even her most horrendous clients as human. An excellent read for anyone who wants (or needs!j to know more about capital punishment.
darcijo's review
4.0
If I was ever accused of a crime I'd want Andrea to be my lawyer. Her passion for justice is evident in this book.
miscbrah's review
4.0
Pretty good book but the author makes it sort of a faux autobiography. I don't really need to know all the intricate details of her life such as her failed marriage, when she stopped taking birth control, and her love of Jazz. She does provide good insight into her cases and the politics of the verdicts/trial.
This book is a good primer to the criminal justice system and what it is like being a public defender(albeit a high ranking public defender, not a low entrylevel public defender). Quite emotional work but her work load appears low volume due to her high rank. From what I hear, most PDs have an extremely high case load, so they may not go through the same experience as Andrea did.
Kinda interested now to read a book by a Prosecutor. The way Andrea portrays the DA's is quite evil like. They seem indifferent and also ineffective. We shall see. Overall, this is a good book, and a pretty easy read. Got through this book within 6 days. It can get a little gory with some of the details of the clients upbringing.
This book is a good primer to the criminal justice system and what it is like being a public defender(albeit a high ranking public defender, not a low entrylevel public defender). Quite emotional work but her work load appears low volume due to her high rank. From what I hear, most PDs have an extremely high case load, so they may not go through the same experience as Andrea did.
Kinda interested now to read a book by a Prosecutor. The way Andrea portrays the DA's is quite evil like. They seem indifferent and also ineffective. We shall see. Overall, this is a good book, and a pretty easy read. Got through this book within 6 days. It can get a little gory with some of the details of the clients upbringing.
abbyboo's review
4.0
I really truly believe that you are more than your worst act and less than your best act. Humans are exasperatingly complicated. How I come to a decision (good or bad) is completely different than how you come to a decision. People do heinous crimes, but that is not the sum of who they are, they are people with emotions, dreams, expectations too. I am not talking about serial killers or people suffering from severe psychosis. Crime committed by the rich compared to the poor is fascinating as well. Poverty is a factor in the majority of crime. At what point do we weigh the options of retribution against punishment. Is it worth keeping someone behind bars for 20 odd years when they could be out on the streets fighting against mental health and poverty? Which one does more good for the overall health of society? How much is a single person's life worth? Murdered or murderer. This book made me spend countless hours pondering so many questions.
rjohns5's review
5.0
Despite my feelings on the PIC, leading up to this book I admit I still had a hard time understanding why defense attorneys do what they do, or maybe more importantly /how/ they justify getting acquittals for guilty people, taking advantage of legal technicalities, etc etc. Of course any person's heartstrings are tugged hearing a story of an innocent man being released after x years in prison, and it's easy to view the people who freed them as heroes. I've never really thought much about the less glamorous part of the job, where morality and judgment are tested against a centuries-old system that too often doesn't protect who and what it's supposed to. Perhaps I should cut back on the SVU and true crime documentaries where I am well aware of how courtroom proceedings are framed, how we are told to view guilt vs innocence; the idea of there being a good guy and bad guy in every situation is a dangerous one, especially considering who has the power to label people as good or bad.
Anyway, I just loved Lyon's storytelling here. She's got no shortage of experiences to write about, and her style was captivating and informative, with often (relatively) satisfying conclusions. This one's going to stick with me for a while.
Anyway, I just loved Lyon's storytelling here. She's got no shortage of experiences to write about, and her style was captivating and informative, with often (relatively) satisfying conclusions. This one's going to stick with me for a while.
katrinaburch's review
3.0
Really good Book! Give an excellent insight into a defense lawyer's cases, especially one that has workes on a numbee of high profile cases.
jdonliturgy's review
5.0
Every day, juries around the country convict innocent people of serious crimes. If you have ever wondered how that can happen, Andrea Lyon's account of her career in the Cook County Illinois Public Defender's Office will provide you with unforgettable, often fascinating, stories of the real people behind the headlines - and the beliefs and actions of those who work in the criminal justice system.
Lyons, an extraordinary woman whose work with her students at DePaul University resulted in Governor George Ryan suspending the death penalty in Illinois, worked tirelessly on behalf of people that society regarded as unrepentant, unworthy and almost inhuman and mostly found them to be none of these. Her courage, creativity and her care for her clients come through in her stories.
This is a must-read for anyone who loves justice or has a concern for how it is applied.
Lyons, an extraordinary woman whose work with her students at DePaul University resulted in Governor George Ryan suspending the death penalty in Illinois, worked tirelessly on behalf of people that society regarded as unrepentant, unworthy and almost inhuman and mostly found them to be none of these. Her courage, creativity and her care for her clients come through in her stories.
This is a must-read for anyone who loves justice or has a concern for how it is applied.
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