Just Mercy

A Story of Justice and Redemption

By: Bryan Stevenson

Narrated by: Bryan Stevenson

Length: 11 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE STARRING MICHAEL B. JORDAN AND JAMIE FOXX

A powerful true story about the potential for mercy to redeem us, and a clarion call to fix our broken system of justice—from one of the most brilliant and influential lawyers of our time.

“[Bryan Stevenson’s] dedication to fighting for justice and equality has inspired me and many others and made a lasting impact on our country.”—John Legend

NAMED ONE OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL BOOKS OF THE DECADE BY CNN • Named One of the Best Books of the Year by The New York Times • The Washington Post • The Boston Globe • The Seattle Times • Esquire • Time

Bryan Stevenson was a young lawyer when he founded the Equal Justice Initiative, a legal practice dedicated to defending those most desperate and in need: the poor, the wrongly condemned, and women and children trapped in the farthest reaches of our criminal justice system. One of his first cases was that of Walter McMillian, a young man who was sentenced to die for a notorious murder he insisted he didn’t commit. The case drew Bryan into a tangle of conspiracy, political machination, and legal brinksmanship—and transformed his understanding of mercy and justice forever.

Just Mercy is at once an unforgettable account of an idealistic, gifted young lawyer’s coming of age, a moving window into the lives of those he has defended, and an inspiring argument for compassion in the pursuit of true justice.

Winner of the Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction • Winner of the NAACP Image Award for Nonfiction • Winner of a Books for a Better Life Award • Finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize • Finalist for the Kirkus Reviews Prize • An American Library Association Notable Book

©2014 Bryan Stevenson (P)2014 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Just Mercy is every bit as moving as To Kill a Mockingbird, and in some ways more so. . . . [It] demonstrates, as powerfully as any book on criminal justice that I’ve ever read, the extent to which brutality, unfairness, and racial bias continue to infect criminal law in the United States. But at the same time that [Bryan] Stevenson tells an utterly damning story of deep-seated and widespread injustice, he also recounts instances of human compassion, understanding, mercy, and justice that offer hope. . . . Just Mercy is a remarkable amalgam, at once a searing indictment of American criminal justice and a stirring testament to the salvation that fighting for the vulnerable sometimes yields.”—David Cole, The New York Review of Books

“A searing, moving and infuriating memoir . . . Bryan Stevenson may, indeed, be America’s Mandela. For decades he has fought judges, prosecutors and police on behalf of those who are impoverished, black or both. . . . Injustice is easy not to notice when it affects people different from ourselves; that helps explain the obliviousness of our own generation to inequity today. We need to wake up. And that is why we need a Mandela in this country.”—Nicholas Kristof, The New York Times

“Unfairness in the justice system is a major theme of our age. . . . This book brings new life to the story by placing it in two affecting contexts: [Bryan] Stevenson’s life work and the deep strain of racial injustice in American life. . . . You don’t have to read too long to start cheering for this man. Against tremendous odds, Stevenson has worked to free scores of people from wrongful or excessive punishment, arguing five times before the Supreme Court. . . . The book extols not his nobility but that of the cause, and reads like a call to action for all that remains to be done. . . . The message of the book, hammered home by dramatic examples of one man’s refusal to sit quietly and countenance horror, is that evil can be overcome, a difference can be made. Just Mercy will make you upset and it will make you hopeful. . . . Stevenson has been angry about [the criminal justice system] for years, and we are all the better for it.”—Ted Conover, The New York Times Book Review

One of the best books that I have ever listened to

This book has informed my views and awakened empathy that I didn't realize were shallow and dormant. I have worked in many corporate environments -appalled at the prevalence and perpetuation of discrimination, incompetence, politics and bureaucracy. The impact of these practices on human lives being dismissed and thrown away without any regard is appalling - I have cried no less than 6 times while reading this book. Thank you Mr Stevenson for your belief and unwavering advocacy for the children, adults, family and communities facing such incredulous challenges with the legal system. Thank you for the data to support, inform and expose the prevalence of unjust mercy in existence today. And, thank you for making just mercy a cause that I now understand and am committed to support in small personal moments with people around me and for the good of the community.

One of the most important books of our time

Societies are judged by how they treat their least fortunate members. But most of us aren't aware of the injustices perpetuated in our own country.

"Just Mercy" gives us a glimpse into the unjust, corrupt and inhumane world of the U.S. criminal justice system and one man's struggle to help its victims.

If you only read one book this year, this should be it.

Have a box of tissues handy.

Compelling story of our broken justice system

If you could sum up Just Mercy in three words, what would they be?

heartbreaking, compelling, powerful

What other book might you compare Just Mercy to and why?

The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michele Alexander, they are two very eye opening accounts of mass incarceration in the modern age.

What about Bryan Stevenson’s performance did you like?

Hearing the author read is always better in my view than having an actor read. The accent, cadence, and pronunciation are on point. Bryan Stevenson's reading of his accounts is correctly emotional, and very motivating.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Alabama, you got the weight on your shoulders that's breaking your back.

Everyone should read this book!

This was a very eye-opening book. It really shows how broken out criminal just system and how desperately in need of fixing it is.

Powerful, life-changing, true stories. A must read.

This book has forever altered my view of punishment in America. I hope to display more just mercy and in my life.

Not enough stars to rate it's true potential

Having worked in youth social services for over 30 years I was shocked, dismayed and overwhelmed with a sense of powerlessness and anger at a system run by men who had the opportunity to do better.

I had to keep reminding myself that these were and are current events! Not a narrative of the last century or pre civil rights but in our present decade.

A must read

Bryan Stevenson writes beautifully and fortunately is the performer on this audio book. The stories of his cases trying to get justice for his pro bono clients - and fighting the death penalty in the south - will move you to tears and then to anger and back again. It’s punctuated with lovely people, though. They, the progress that has been made, and the author’s thoughts on mercy, leave you with a ray of hope for all the work that remains to be done.

Capital Punishment Always Unjust?

Compelling stories of redemption and conversion: Under it all the book teaches the reader:

Don’t commit adultery with another man’s wife.
Avoid alcohol.
Avoid the wrong crowd - Friendly or hostile to you.
Avoid the wrong place.
Don’t judge.
Racial hatred is alive and controlling.
There are attorneys that deserve sainthood.
The adolescent brain is not fully accountable.
The half-hearted defense attorney is deadly.
Non-violent crime should not warrant prison time.

Great story of innocence and mercy

Really enjoyed this authors story telling ability So glad to see people helping those who can't help themselves.

America's Judicial Lunacy

Any additional comments?

Stevenson exposes the truth behind the facade of “liberty and justice for all.” With compassion and rare insight, he tells the stories of people caught between their own tragic circumstances and a criminal justice system that delivers a great deal of expediency and political posturing but very little justice and no mercy. Prepare to be enlightened and appalled. Just Mercy resonates very closley with The Gulag Archipelago.