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Death Row: The Final Minutes

My Life as an Execution Witness in America's Most Infamous Prison

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Death Row: The Final Minutes

By: Michelle Lyons
Narrated by: Laurel Lefkow, John Moraitis, Michelle Lyons
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About this listen

 In 12 years, Michelle Lyons witnessed nearly 300 executions. First as a reporter and then as a spokesperson for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Michelle was a frequent visitor to Huntsville’s Walls Unit, where she recorded and relayed the final moments of death row inmates’ lives before they were put to death by the state. Michelle was in the death chamber as some of the United States' most notorious criminals, including serial killers, child murderers and rapists, spoke their last words on earth, while a cocktail of lethal drugs surged through their veins. Michelle supported the death penalty, before misgivings began to set in as the executions mounted. During her time in the prison system, and together with her dear friend and colleague, Larry Fitzgerald, she came to know and like some of the condemned men and women she saw die. She began to query the arbitrary nature of the death penalty and ask the question: do executions make victims of all of us? An incredibly powerful and unique look at the complex story of capital punishment, as told by those whose lives have been shaped by it, Death Row: The Final Minutes is an important take on crime and punishment at a fascinating point in America’s political history.©2018 Michelle Lyons (P)2018 Bolinda Publishing Political Science United States
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What listeners say about Death Row: The Final Minutes

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Profile Image for simon B.

very interesting listen

loved this book! .......... my first ever audio book and it wont be my last one

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    4 out of 5 stars
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very interesting read. great voice to listen to

very gòod. a different world. sad at times and a little look into a world none of us would ever like to find ourselves in

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Profile Image for Fichops

Though Provoking

Okay, so it’s not so much about the final minutes, that is true, but nevertheless it is an interesting and thought provoking glimpse in to the author’s experience of the American criminal system and the politics and processes around capital punishment. I liked the description of her personal journey, her thoughts and feelings about some of the death row inmates she came to know and also the later chapters when she was treated so badly by her employers.

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Review

An amazing book very inspirational and amazingly educational such a must listen. It will make you make you think and rethink the death penalty

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Profile Image for Mrs M

Judgemental

A lot of swearing, and not just when quoting those on death row. The most venomous tirades were over "Europeans" for having views that don't necessarily align with the pro-capital punishment views of the author. It's a shame because it could have been a good opportunity to give another viewpoint to those open minded enough to choose this book rather than ostracise them.

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Wow, just wow..

Best novel I've listened to in 2021. Anazing work and reminder that the glass ceiling will always exist.

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Profile Image for Danielle

Well worth a listen

touching real account of a very difficult subject. enjoyed the two points of view

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Profile Image for John Williams (Artist)

me, myself & I

could have been great, but female reporter kept going on about herself. You'd swear she's being executed.

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Profile Image for AnnieJuly

Interesting...but lacking real oomph

This was an interesting enough narrative, giving some good insights into life on the other side of the wall for both staff and prisoners involved in the death system. Very well narrated - unobtrusive and non-distracting. It also was not too long; this latter point was a saving grace really as a minute longer and I’d have been tempted to use the word “boring”. As can be the downfall of these “ordinary joe in extraordinary situation” tales, there was too much meandering into autobiography. The minutiae of the rather mundane personal lives and inner workings of these people is rarely of interest; it’s the situation, the tale, that is the reason someone bought their story.

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Profile Image for Amazon Customer

Interesting story but not told well

This is a very interesting premise but sadly the author thought it was all about her rather than the people she saw die. This was extremely frustrating. Fortunately, Larry FItzgerald had a lot to do with the narration, and he didn't make this young woman's mistake. Overall an ok read.

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3 people found this helpful