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HomeShop at BookSurgeBiography & AutobiographyHistoricalNo Human Way to Kill |
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| Customer Reviews: | | Average Customer Review: ( 3 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
brilliant Jan 24, 2010
By P. Allan
This book mixes art and human rights. It contains 12 subtle drawings which show different types of execution as they are practiced around the world - 5 of them are still in use in the USA alone.
It also has powerful written peices by Anthony Ross, an award winning writer who is currently serving time on death row in San Quentin, and Jim Willett, winner of the Peabody Award who oversaw 89 executions in Texas. This is contrasted with a very moving account by Rev. Cathy Harrington on her experiences following her daughter's murder and of how she dealt with the death penalty following it. She negotiated a life sentence for the who had been facing the lethal injection gurney.
This is a compelling read and I urge you to buy it.
The Devil's in the Detail Jan 22, 2010
By John Finlay
"Art Historian"
No Human Way to Kill
Robert Priseman's 'No Human Way to Kill', brings together the voices of those who deal, and have dealt with, the death penalty, creating a multi-fractured and compelling text over-viewing the death penalty as it exists in the world today. Accompanied by a series of haunting engravings depicting the various forms of execution from around the world, Priseman's depiction of bizarre forms of torture and disturbing paraphernalia, is clearly an attempt to acknowledge the delicately intricate and highly complicated process of killing and death. The text views the death penalty for different sides, executioner, family victims etc., and describes the often liturgical character of judicial execution. It is also a chilling reminder of our own indifference to death and cruelty. Both image and text reiterate the fact that death, using the most terrifying and 'inventive' ways to kill, is still on the statute books in the United States of America.
Breaking all the Rules Jan 22, 2010
By S.M.McKay
'No Human Way to Kill' is somewhere between an art book and a human rights statement. It breaks all the rules and does so with great power and beauty. Within it are twelve delicate line drawings, the originals of which were first exhibited at the University of San Francisco in 2008.
The drawings offer a survey of twelve different types of State-sanctioned execution found around the world. The beauty of the drawings deliberately presents a contrast to the brutality of the subject matter, which examines methods of killing as diverse as electrocution, firing squad, lethal injection and stoning.
The book successfully maintains a detached observance of these methods of execution, but also provides some personal reflection from individuals who have been caught up in these processes. It opens with an essay from Cathy Harrington whose daughter was murdered. Cathy chose to negotiate a life sentence for her daughter's murderer, who had been potentially facing the death penalty. Another essay follows, providing an account of life on death row in San Quentin from former Crips gang member Anthony Ross. In addition, former Texas prison warden Jim Willett who oversaw 89 executions gives a detailed account of how an execution is carried out. The book ends with a positive and hopeful essay by Professor Sir Nigel Rodley.
An analysis is given of each of the methods illustrated, including when and where they were last used and in what countries each technique is practiced.
This book is compelling reading.
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