Just Mercy Review

Title: Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption
Author: Bryan Stevenson
Style: Social Justice, Non-fiction
Rating: 5/5

“Each of us is more than the worst thing we’ve ever done.”

Bryan Stevenson is a lawyer and founder of Equal Justice Initiative, a legal practice that defends the poor and wrongly condemned. Just Mercy tells the story of one of his first cases, Walter McMillian a young man sentenced to die for a crime he did not commit.

I find it hard to review this book because its heavy, heartbreaking and sad but its also inspiring and incredible. I had first heard about Bryan Stevenson when I read The Sun Does Shine by Anthony Ray Hinton, another man wrongfully convicted. I was excited to learn more about Stevenson and his organization.  I really liked the flow of the novel.  It was split between Walters story, other cases Stevenson worked on, rulings/laws he and his team worked to change as well as statistics that will make your stomach turn.  

“The kind of hope that creates a willingness to position oneself in a hopeless place and be a witness, that allows one to believe in a better future, even in the face of abusive power. That kind of hope makes one strong.”

I love that quote!  It's easy to get trapped in the cycle of feeling hopeless when it comes to the overhaul that is needed to make this a better place for everyone to live in.  If we remember that we believe in a better future than we can remain hopeful.  Stevenson is inspiring and this book will make you want to change the world.  When I think of all him and his team has done and all the men, women and children they have saved I can't help but be amazed.